Clusters and SVMs in peer relationships communicate over the intercluster network using intercluster logical interfaces (LIFs). An intercluster LIF is a LIF that supports the "intercluster-core" network interface service and is typically created using the "default-intercluster" network interface service policy. You must create intercluster LIFs on every node in the clusters being peered.

Intercluster LIFs use routes that belong to the system SVM to which they are assigned. ONTAP automatically creates a system SVM for cluster-level communications within an IPspace.

Fan-out and cascade topologies are both supported. In a cascade topology, you need only create intercluster networks between the primary and secondary clusters and between the secondary and tertiary clusters. You need not create an intercluster network between the primary and the tertiary cluster.