Chapter 8. Configuring maximum transmission unit (MTU) settings
8.1. MTU overview
OpenStack Networking can calculate the largest possible maximum transmission unit (MTU) size that you can apply safely to instances. The MTU value specifies the maximum amount of data that a single network packet can transfer; this number is variable depending on the most appropriate size for the application. For example, NFS shares might require a different MTU size to that of a VoIP application.
You can use the openstack network show <network_name>
command to view the largest possible MTU values that OpenStack Networking calculates. net-mtu
is a neutron API extension that is not present in some implementations. The MTU value that you require can be advertised to DHCPv4 clients for automatic configuration, if supported by the instance, as well as to IPv6 clients through Router Advertisement (RA) packets. To send Router Advertisements, the network must be attached to a router.
You must configure MTU settings consistently from end-to-end. This means that the MTU setting must be the same at every point the packet passes through, including the VM, the virtual network infrastructure, the physical network, and the destination server.
For example, the circles in the following diagram indicate the various points where an MTU value must be adjusted for traffic between an instance and a physical server. You must change the MTU value for very interface that handles network traffic to accommodate packets of a particular MTU size. This is necessary if traffic travels from the instance 192.168.200.15 through to the physical server 10.20.15.25:
![MTU settings](https://access.redhat.com/webassets/avalon/d/Red_Hat_OpenStack_Platform-16.2-Networking_Guide-en-US/images/a7cc647569b3d0645551d21ca2879318/mtu.png)
Inconsistent MTU values can result in several network issues, the most common being random packet loss that results in connection drops and slow network performance. Such issues are problematic to troubleshoot because you must identify and examine every possible network point to ensure it has the correct MTU value.
8.2. Configuring MTU Settings in Director
This example demonstrates how to set the MTU using the NIC config templates. You must set the MTU on the bridge, bond (if applicable), interface(s), and VLAN(s):
- type: ovs_bridge name: br-isolated use_dhcp: false mtu: 9000 # <--- Set MTU members: - type: ovs_bond name: bond1 mtu: 9000 # <--- Set MTU ovs_options: {get_param: BondInterfaceOvsOptions} members: - type: interface name: ens15f0 mtu: 9000 # <--- Set MTU primary: true - type: interface name: enp131s0f0 mtu: 9000 # <--- Set MTU - type: vlan device: bond1 vlan_id: {get_param: InternalApiNetworkVlanID} mtu: 9000 # <--- Set MTU addresses: - ip_netmask: {get_param: InternalApiIpSubnet} - type: vlan device: bond1 mtu: 9000 # <--- Set MTU vlan_id: {get_param: TenantNetworkVlanID} addresses: - ip_netmask: {get_param: TenantIpSubnet}
8.3. Reviewing the resulting MTU calculation
You can view the calculated MTU value, which is the largest possible MTU value that instances can use. Use this calculated MTU value to configure all interfaces involved in the path of network traffic.
# openstack network show <network>