Link Aggregation; Chapter 20 Link Aggregation; Link Aggregation Overview; Dynamic Link Aggregation - ZyXEL Communications MS-7206 - EDITION 1 Manual

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H A P T E R
This chapter shows you how to logically aggregate physical links to form one
logical, higher-bandwidth link.

20.1 Link Aggregation Overview

Link aggregation (trunking) is the grouping of physical ports into one logical
higher-capacity link. You may want to trunk ports if for example, it is cheaper to
use multiple lower-speed links than to under-utilize a high-speed, but more costly,
single-port link.
However, the more ports you aggregate then the fewer available ports you have. A
trunk group is one logical link containing multiple ports.
The beginning port of each trunk group must be physically connected to form a
trunk group.

20.2 Dynamic Link Aggregation

The switch adheres to the IEEE 802.3ad standard for static and dynamic (LACP)
port trunking.
The switch supports the link aggregation IEEE 802.3ad standard. This standard
describes the Link Aggregate Control Protocol (LACP), which is a protocol that
dynamically creates and manages trunk groups.
When you enable LACP link aggregation on a port, the port can automatically
negotiate with the ports at the remote end of a link to establish trunk groups.
LACP also allows port redundancy, that is, if an operational port fails, then one of
the "standby" ports become operational without user intervention. Please note
that:
• You must connect all ports point-to-point to the same Ethernet switch and
configure the ports for LACP trunking.
MS-7206 User's Guide

Link Aggregation

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