To configure the hardware

1. Install the required network adapters, and SCSI controllers or Fibre Channel HBA.
2. Connect the network adapters on each system using the following guidelines:

   • To prevent lost heartbeats on the private networks, and to prevent VCS from mistakenly declaring a system down, Symantec recommends disabling the Ethernet autonegotiation options on the private network adapters. Contact the NIC manufacturer for details on this process

   • Symantec recommends removing TCP/IP from private NICs to lower system overhead.

3. Use independent hubs or switches for each VCS communication network (GAB and LLT). You can use cross-over Ethernet cables for two-node clusters. LLT supports hub-based or switch network paths, or two-system clusters with direct network links.
4. Verify that each system can access the storage devices. Verify that each system recognizes the attached shared disk and that the attached shared disks are visible.

To verify the DNS settings and binding order

1. From the Control Panel, access the Network Connections window.
2. Ensure the public network adapter is the first bound adapter as follows:

   • From the Advanced menu, click Advanced Settings.

   • In the Adapters and Bindings tab, verify the public adapter is the first adapter in the Connections list. If necessary, use the arrow button to move the adapter to the top of the list.

3. Ensure that DNS name resolution is enabled. Make sure that you use the public network adapter, and not those configured for the private network. Do the following:

   • In the Network Connections window, double-click the adapter for the public network to access its properties.

   • In the Public Status dialog box, on the General tab, click Properties.

   • In the Public Properties dialog box, on the General tab, select the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) check box and click Properties.

   • Select the Use the following DNS server addresses option and verify the correct value for the IP address of the DNS server.

   • Click Advanced.

   • In the DNS tab, make sure the Register this connection's address in DNS check box is selected. Make sure the correct domain suffix is entered in the DNS suffix for this connection field.