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Configuring the SP/BMC network

Configuring the SP network enables you to access the SP by using its IP address. You can set up the SP automatic network configuration at the cluster level (recommended) or manually configure the SP network for individual nodes.

You can modify the SP API service that ONTAP uses to access the SP over the network, however the BMC does not have this capability.

  • Isolating management network traffic
    It is a best practice to configure SP/BMC and the e0M management interface on a subnet dedicated to management traffic. Running data traffic over the management network can cause performance degradation and routing problems.
  • Considerations for the SP/BMC network configuration
    You can enable cluster-level, automatic network configuration for the SP (recommended). You can also leave the SP automatic network configuration disabled (the default) and manage the SP network configuration manually at the node level. A few considerations exist for each case.
  • Enabling the SP/BMC automatic network configuration
    Enabling the SP to use automatic network configuration is preferred over manually configuring the SP network. Because the SP automatic network configuration is cluster wide, you do not need to manually manage the SP network for individual nodes.
  • Configuring the SP/BMC network manually
    If you do not have automatic network configuration set up for the SP, you must manually configure a node's SP network for the SP to be accessible by using an IP address.
  • Modifying the SP API service configuration
    The SP API is a secure network API that enables ONTAP to communicate with the SP over the network. You can change the port used by the SP API service, renew the certificates the service uses for internal communication, or disable the service entirely. You need to modify the configuration only in rare situations.