Users Guide

11–QLogic Teaming Services
Teaming Mechanisms
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Dynamic Trunking (IEEE 802.3ad Link Aggregation)
This mode supports link aggregation through static and dynamic configuration
through the link aggregation control protocol (LACP). With this mode, all adapters
in the team are configured to receive packets for the same MAC address. The
MAC address of the first adapter in the team is used and cannot be substituted for
a different MAC address. The QLASP driver determines the load-balancing
scheme for outbound packets, using Layer 4 protocols previously discussed,
whereas the team’s link partner determines the load-balancing scheme for
inbound packets. Because the load balancing is implemented on Layer 2, all
higher protocols such as IP, IPX, and NetBEUI are supported. The attached switch
must support the 802.3ad Link Aggregation standard for this mode of operation.
The switch manages the inbound traffic to the adapter while the QLASP manages
the outbound traffic. Both the QLASP and the switch continually monitor their
ports for link loss. In the event of link loss on any port, traffic is automatically
diverted to other ports in the team.
Network Communications
The following are the key attributes of dynamic trunking:
 Failover mechanism—Link loss detection
 Load Balancing Algorithm—Outbound traffic is balanced through a QLogic
proprietary mechanism based on Layer 4 flows. Inbound traffic is balanced
according to a switch specific mechanism.
 Outbound Load Balancing using MAC Address—No
 Outbound Load Balancing using IP Address—Yes
 Multivendor teaming—Supported (Must include at least one QLogic Ethernet
adapter as a team member)
Applications
Dynamic trunking works with switches that support IEEE 802.3ad Link
Aggregation dynamic mode using LACP. Inbound load balancing is switch
dependent. In general, the switch traffic is load balanced based on Layer 2
addresses. In this case, all network protocols such as IP, IPX, and NetBEUI are
load balanced. Therefore, this is the recommended teaming mode when the
switch supports LACP, except when switch fault tolerance is required. SLB is the
only teaming mode that supports switch fault tolerance.
Configuration Recommendations
Dynamic trunking supports connecting the teamed ports to switches as long as
they are on the same broadcast domain and supports IEEE 802.3ad LACP
trunking. It does not support connecting to a router or Layer 3 switches because
the ports must be on the same subnet.