Dell FluidFS NAS Solutions Administrator's Guide

Routed networks provide an opportunity to enhance performance through a feature called static routes. This feature allows you to configure the exact paths in which the system communicates with various clients on a routed network.

Figure 1. Network Configuration

In the above network, there can be only one default gateway for the system. Assume that you select router X.

Packets that are sent to clients in subnet Y are routed to router X, which is then sent back (through the switch) to router Y. These packets travel through router X needlessly, reducing the throughput to all subnets in your network.

The solution is to define, in addition to a default gateway, a specific gateway for certain subnets–configuring static routes. To do this, describe each subnet in your network and identify the most suitable gateway to access that subnet.

You do not have to do so for the entire network – a default gateway is most suitable when performance is not an issue. You can select when and where to use static routes to best meet your performance needs.