Computer Hardware User Manual

CHAPTER

Configuring Link Aggregation

This chapter describes how to configure link aggregation. It contains the following

sections:

■ “Overview of Link Aggregation” on page 57

■ “Configuring Link Aggregation in a Linux Environment” on page 60

Overview of Link Aggregation

Link Aggregation allows one or more network links to be aggregated together to

form a link aggregation group. This link aggregation group appears to MAC clients

as a regular link. Link aggregation is defined by IEEE 802.2ad and it provides the

following benefits:

■ Increased bandwidth

■ Linearly incremental bandwidth

■ Load sharing

■ Automatic configuration

■ Rapid configuration and reconfiguration

■ Deterministic behavior

■ Low risk of duplication or mis-ordering

■ Support of existing IEEE 802.3 MAC clients