Job Management Partner 1/Software Distribution Client Description and User's Guide

6.3.4 Defining the network interface for JP1/Software Distribution

You can define two or more network connections in the managing server, and use one specifically for JP1/Software Distribution. Define the connections in a network interface definition file. This enables the network connection to be switched automatically when JP1/Software Distribution is used.

In the network interface definition file, specify the network interface to be used by JP1/Software Distribution. You must also define each network in the /etc/hosts file. For details about setting an /etc/hosts file, see 6.3.3 Setting the host name.

Figure 6-3 shows how to define a network interface definition file.

Figure 6-3 Defining a network interface definition file

File name of the network interface definition file:

System other than HP-UX: /NETMRDS/rdsprm/IFCONFIG

HP-UX: /etc/opt/NETMDMW/rdsprm/IFCONFIG
Rules for defining a network interface definition file:

Define the network interfaces displayed when you execute the netstat command with the -i option specified. Write one interface name per line, starting with the interface that has highest priority.

You can write up to 8 lines. Definitions exceeding this limit are invalid.

The characters from the start of a line to the next line feed code are interpreted as one line. If more than one network interface name is written in a line, the second and subsequent names are invalid.

A space or tab at the beginning of a line is invalid. Spaces at the end of a line are also invalid.

Begin a comment with a slash and asterisk (/*), and end it with an asterisk and slash (*/). To insert a comment in a line in which the network interface name is defined, insert one or more blank spaces between the network interface name and the comment. Note that the tab symbol cannot be specified here.

Restart JP1/Software Distribution Client for the settings in the definition file to take effect.

The following example shows how to define multiple network interface names in the network interface definition file:
net1              /* Primary */
net2              /* Secondary */
net3              /* Tertiary */
net4              /* Fourth */
net5              /* Fifth */
net6              /* Sixth */
net7              /* Seventh */
net8              /* Eighth */
In this example, net1 to net8 are the network interface names and the top name has the highest priority. The comments show the priority level of each network interface name.
Network interface selection sequence

The network to be used for JP1/Software Distribution is selected in the following sequence:

When JP1/Software Distribution is used, the system selects the network defined first in the network interface definition file.

If the system cannot connect to the first network, the second definition is selected.
If still unsuccessful, the system tries each network in turn, in order of priority.

If the system cannot connect to any of the defined networks, the retry count set in the RetryCount parameter in the settings file determines the subsequent processing, as follows.

1 set in RetryCount in the settings file:

Connection fails, and JP1/Software Distribution is unable to start.

2 or higher set in RetryCount in the settings file:

The system waits for a specified length of time (RetryInterval in the settings file), then tries again to make the connection, starting from the first network in the definition file.

This process is repeated for the number of times set in RetryCount. If connection still fails, JP1/Software Distribution is unable to start.

Note

If a network has frequent connection failures, define a lower priority for that network, or delete the definition.

To clear the network interface settings, delete the following files:
For systems other than HP-UX:
/NETMRDS/rdsprm/IFCONFIG
/NETMRDS/rdsprm/.ifconfig
For HP-UX:
/etc/opt/NETMDMW/rdsprm/IFCONFIG
/etc/opt/NETMDMW/rdsprm/.ifconfig

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