Shared, dedicated, and standby interfaces

These different types of interfaces have different roles in normal and takeover mode.

The following table lists the three types of interface configurations that you can enable in an HA pair :

Interface type Description
Shared This type of interface supports both the local and partner nodes. It contains both the local node and partner node IP addresses. During takeover, it supports the identity of both nodes.
Dedicated This type of interface only supports the node in which it is installed. It contains the local node IP address only and does not participate in network communication beyond local node support during takeover. It is paired with a standby interface.
Standby This type of interface is on the local node, but only contains the IP address of the partner node. It is paired with a dedicated interface.
Note: Most HA pair interfaces are configured as shared interfaces because they do not require an extra NIC.