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IBM does not intend to provide a solution to this request. An existing solution is available and additional information was not provided to indicate how it does not satisfy the request. Using virtual IP addresses with proxy ARP controlled through the preferred interface list allows a user to accomplish a switch between two physical lines without changes to existing support.
The CAAC has reviewed this requirement and recommends that IBM not implement this request. There are alternate ways to set up your configuration -- set up 2 physical cards to a single IP group instead to get a seamless continuous connection even if one card fails.
Background: The COMMON Americas Advisory Council (CAAC) members have a broad range of experience in working with small and medium-sized IBM i customers. CAAC has a key role in working with IBM i development to help assess the value and impact of individual RFEs on the broader IBM i community, and has therefore reviewed your RFE.
For more information about CAAC, see www.common.org/caac
Nancy Uthke-Schmucki - CAAC Program Manager
Using VIPA is a tested and supported method of moving an IP address on IBM i. Transferring an IP address from one line to another and a VIPA with proxy ARP moving from one line to another would need to send the same ARP packets. Both should send out gratuitous ARPs announcing the new MAC address.
For a VIPA, we send a single gratuitous ARP immediately after the move and then repeat twice more at 30 second intervals. If another device on the network processes that gratuitous ARP, there would be no confusion. If they don't, that device would need to send ARP to query the address to determine the new MAC address.
Please provide additional details on if the use of VIPA satisfies your request and if not, the details on how it does not meet your needs.
The VIPA configuration can be of help, but also can have impact on network infrastructure like VPN routers etc which might get confused by the ARP packets created by this configuration. It is not recommended to simply try this solution in a production environment as it can create broadcast storm or other issues.
It would be preferable to have a tested method (with or without MAC address transfer between the interfaces).
We believe that there is an existing solution. Using virtual IP addresses with proxy ARP controlled through the preferred interface list would allow you to accomplish a switch between two physical lines without changes to existing support. The preferred interface list can be changed while the interface is active, and could move the proxy of a VIPA from one line to another. Routes can't be bound to VIPA interfaces, but duplicate routes bound to separate interfaces on each adapter could be used. Route priority controls which route is used and this can be changed on active routes.
For more information on configuring a virtual IP address associated with multiple interfaces, see Failover using automatic interface selection (https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/en/ssw_ibm_i_74/rzajw/rzajwconfiglb.htm).
For more information on setting a preferred interface list, see Failover using a preferred interface list (https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/en/ssw_ibm_i_74/rzajw/rzajwcpil.htm).
Does this existing solution satisfy your request? If not, please expand on how this solution does not meet your needs.