Re: Access backup system

["Kenneth E. Graap" <kgraap@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Charles L. Massoglia wrote:
> 
> We have a situation where remote users access the main AS/400 over frame
> relay with PCs using ethernet and dumb terminals attached to a 5494 which
> also uses ethernet.  If the main system is unavailable, we want to redirect
> the PCs and dumb terminals WITHOUT ANY CHANGES TO THE PCs OR THE 5494 to
> another backup AS/400 in a different physical location....

We currently use 5494's in this manner too. It has worked well for us. One
big benifit for us is that if we declare a disaster at our site and
relocate to a hot site recovery facility, the 5494 is easily reconfigured
to connect via a dial up modem and our users are "back in business"....  

> We have been told this can be done by having 2 ethernet cards in both
> systems with identical IP addresses, i.e. primary card A on main system with
> same IP address as alternate card B on backup system and alternate card B on
> main system with same IP address as primary card A on backup system.  Card B
> always varied off until primary machine is down......  
> 
> Does any of this make sense?  Is anyone doing this?  Any help would be very
> much appreciated.
> 

The 5494 communicates with the AS/400 via the transparent bridging of LLC
packets. When broadcasts are sent out they are searching for a MAC
address. So what you want to do makes sense to me. As long as both
ethernet cards aren't varied on at the same time. 

Kenneth

-- 
* *************************************** *
Kenneth E. Graap               
Coordinator - Network Operations Center 
Clackamas Education Service District   
PO 216 / Marylhurst,  OR  97036-0216   
503 635 0551        FAX 503 635 0578 

"Dedicated to Excellence Through 
    Leadership and Service"  
 
kgraap@clackesd.k12.or.us 
http://www.clackesd.k12.or.us/~kgraap       
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