Extreme Networks ExtremeWare Command Reference Manual page 313

• The first port in the load-sharing group is configured to be the "master" logical port. This is the
reference port used in configuration commands. It can be thought of as the logical port representing
the entire port group.
• A master port can be a member of a Spanning Tree Domain (STPD), but the other ports assigned to a
load-sharing group cannot.
• When using load sharing, you should always reference the master logical port of the load-sharing
group when configuring or viewing VLANs. VLANs configured to use other ports in the
load-sharing group will have those ports deleted from the VLAN when load sharing becomes
enabled.
• A load-sharing group can include a maximum of eight ports.
• BlackDiamond only—The ports in a load-sharing group on a BlackDiamond 6816, and on a
BlackDiamond 6804 and 6808 that do not use the MSM-3, must all be on the same I/O module.
Groups can span multiple modules with other chassis.
• Dynamic load sharing (LACP) cannot be used for groups that span multiple modules.
• When using load sharing with the ESRP HA feature, configure all ports in the same load-sharing
group as host attach ports. When using load sharing with the ESRP don't count feature, configure all
ports in the same load-sharing group as don't count ports.
There are two broad categories of load sharing supported on Extreme Network switches:
• Dynamic load sharing—A grouping of ports that will use IEEE 802.3ad load sharing to dynamically
determine if load sharing is possible, and will automatically configure load sharing when possible.
Uses Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP), part of the IEEE 802.3ad standard, to allow the
switch to dynamically reconfigure the sharing groups. The group is only enabled when LACP
detects that the other side is also using LACP, and wants these ports to be in a group
• Static load sharing (on "i" series only)—A grouping of ports specifically configured to load share.
The switch ports at each end must be configured as part of a load-sharing group. Additionally, you
can choose the load-sharing algorithm used by the group. This feature is supported between Extreme
Networks switches only, but may be compatible with third-party trunking or link-aggregation
algorithms. Check with an Extreme Networks technical representative for more information.
Load-sharing algorithms allow you to select the distribution technique used by the load-sharing group
to determine the output port selection. Algorithm selection is not intended for use in predictive traffic
engineering. You can only choose the algorithm used in static load sharing. There is no option to choose
an algorithm when you use dynamic load sharing.
• Address-based—Uses addressing information to determine which physical port in the load-sharing
group to use for forwarding traffic out of the switch. Addressing information is based on the packet
protocol, as follows:
— IP packets—Uses the source and destination MAC and IP addresses, and the TCP port number.
— IPX packets (on "i" series only)—Uses the source and destination MAC address, and IPX
network identifiers.
— All other packets—Uses the source and destination MAC address.
NOTE
Stacked switches support only address-based load sharing.
• Port-based—Uses the ingress port to determine which physical port in the load-sharing group is
used to forward traffic out of the switch. Port-based algorithms are available only on "i" series
switches.
ExtremeWare 7.5 Command Reference Guide
enable sharing grouping
313