Recommended private "Heartbeat" configuration on a cluster server
The information that is traveling across the heartbeat network is small, but latency is critical for communication. If you have the same the speed and duplex settings, this helps to make sure that you have reliable communication. If you are not sure of the supported speed of your card and connecting devices, or your manufacturer's recommended settings, Microsoft recommends that you set all the devices on that path of 10 MB/Sec and Half Duplex . This configuration will provide sufficient bandwidth and reliable communication. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: 174812 The effects of using Autodetect setting on cluster network interface card Note : Microsoft does not recommend the use of any type of fault-tolerant adapter or "Teaming" for the heartbeat. If you require redundancy for your heartbeat connection, use multiple network adapters set to Internal Communication Only and defin...