Intel Ethernet X520 10GbE Dual Port KX4 Mezz User Manual page 28

FEC link aggregation provides load balancing in a way which is very similar to ALB, including use of the same
algorithm in the transmit flow. Receive load balancing is a function of the switch.
The transmission speed will never exceed the adapter base speed to any single address (per specification).
Teams must match the capability of the switch. Adapter teams configured for static Link Aggregation also
provide the benefits of fault tolerance and load balancing. You do not need to set a primary adapter in this
mode.
Gigabit EtherChannel (GEC): GEC link aggregation is essentially the same as FEC link aggregation.
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NOTES:
All adapters in a Static Link Aggregation team must run at the same speed and must be connected to a
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Static Link Aggregation-capable switch. If the speed capabilities of adapters in a Static Link Aggregation
team are different, the speed of the team is dependent on the switch.
Static Link Aggregation teaming requires that the switch be set up for Static Link Aggregation teaming
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and that spanning tree protocol is turned off.
An Intel AMT enabled adapter cannot be used in an SLA team.
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IEEE 802.3ad: Dynamic Link Aggregation
IEEE 802.3ad is the IEEE standard. Teams can contain two to eight adapters. You must use 802.3ad switches (in
dynamic mode, aggregation can go across switches). Adapter teams configured for IEEE 802.3ad also provide the
benefits of fault tolerance and load balancing. Under 802.3ad, all protocols can be load balanced.
Dynamic mode supports multiple aggregators. Aggregators are formed by port speed connected to a switch. For
example, a team can contain adapters running at 1 Gbps and 10 Gbps, but two aggregators will be formed, one for
each speed. Also, if a team contains 1 Gbps ports connected to one switch, and a combination of 1Gbps and 10Gbps
ports connected to a second switch, three aggregators would be formed. One containing all the ports connected to the
first switch, one containing the 1Gbps ports connected to the second switch, and the third containing the 10Gbps ports
connected to the second switch.
NOTES:
IEEE 802.3ad teaming requires that the switch be set up for IEEE 802.3ad (link aggregation) teaming
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and that spanning tree protocol is turned off.
Once you choose an aggregator, it remains in force until all adapters in that aggregation team lose link.
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In some switches, copper and fiber adapters cannot belong to the same aggregator in an IEEE 802.3ad
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configuration. If there are copper and fiber adapters installed in a system, the switch might configure the
copper adapters in one aggregator and the fiber-based adapters in another. If you experience this beha-
vior, for best performance you should use either only copper-based or only fiber-based adapters in a sys-
tem.
An Intel AMT enabled adapter cannot be used in a DLA team.
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Before you begin
Verify that the switch fully supports the IEEE 802.3ad standard.
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Check your switch documentation for port dependencies. Some switches require pairing to start on a primary
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port.
Check your speed and duplex settings to ensure the adapter and switch are running at full duplex, either forced
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or set to auto-negotiate. Both the adapter and the switch must have the same speed and duplex configuration.
The full-duplex requirement is part of the IEEE 802.3ad specification: http://standards.ieee.org/. If needed,
change your speed or duplex setting before you link the adapter to the switch. Although you can change speed
and duplex settings after the team is created, Intel recommends you disconnect the cables until settings are in
effect. In some cases, switches or servers might not appropriately recognize modified speed or duplex settings if
settings are changed when there is an active link to the network.
If you are configuring a VLAN, check your switch documentation for VLAN compatibility notes. Not all switches
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support simultaneous dynamic 802.3ad teams and VLANs. If you do choose to set up VLANs, configure team-
ing and VLAN settings on the adapter before you link the adapter to the switch. Setting up VLANs after the
switch has created an active aggregator affects VLAN functionality.