How to configure NIC to NIC connection?

[draetheus]

I recently purchased a virtualization server, and had hopes of connecting the 2nd nic of my freenas box to the 2nd nic of the virtualization server (running ESXI 5.5) for a dedicated iSCSI path. I configured static IPs in the same subnet on both cards directly connected, however I wasn't getting connectivity either way (the freenas box couldn't ping the ESXI box over that IP or visa versa). I tried adding in static routes but that didn't seem to help. Both servers have integrated Intel gigabit nics (82573 chipset) so I assumed I wouldn't need a crossover cable due to automdix. Is that incorrect, or can someone point me in the right direction with regards to the correct setup on the freenas end?

 

[pirateghost]

As long as the IP subnet you use is not within the same subnet as your other nic, it will work. Don't set a gateway on that nic either.

 

[rogerh]

I agree it should work: but apparently it doesn't. Have both NICs got the same netmask? Have you tried a new cable? Are the little lights on?

 

[Joshua Parker Ruehlig]

I do this between my FreeNAS and FreeBSD webserver for NFS. One gotcha I had was, I needed to add each computer to the other computer's hosts file. This may be NFS specific though.