Specifications

Overview: Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP)
Configuring Broadcast Suppression
3-92 Matrix DFE-Gold Series Configuration Guide
3.5 OVERVIEW: LINK AGGREGATION CONTROL PROTOCOL
(LACP)
Using multiple links simultaneously to increase bandwidth is a desirable switch feature, which can
be accomplished if both sides agree on a set of ports that are being used as a Link Aggregation
Group (LAG). Once a LAG is formed from selected ports, problems with looping can be avoided
since the Spanning Tree can treat this LAG as a single port.
Enabled by default on Matrix devices, the Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP) logically
groups interfaces together to create a greater bandwidth uplink, or link aggregation, according to
the IEEE 802.3ad standard. This standard allows the switch to determine which ports are in LAGs
and configure them dynamically. Since the protocol is based on the IEEE 802.3ad specification,
any switch from any vendor that supports this standard can aggregate links automatically.
802.3ad LACP aggregations can also be run to end-users (i.e.; a server) or to a router.
CAUTION: Link aggregation configuration should only be performed by personnel who
are knowledgeable about Spanning Tree and Link Aggregation, and fully understand the
ramifications of modifications beyond device defaults. Otherwise, the proper operation
of the network could be at risk.
NOTE: Earlier (proprietary) implementations of port aggregation referred to groups of
aggregated ports as “trunks”.