Link Aggregation Features; Link Aggregation; Link Aggregate Control Protocol (Lacp); Multi-Switch Lag (Mlag) - Dell Networking N4000 Series Configuration Manual

Stackable layer 2 and 3 switches

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Link Aggregation Features

For information about configuring link aggregation (port-channel) features,

see "Configuring Link Aggregation" on page 913.

Up to eight ports can combine to form a single Link Aggregation Group

(LAG). This enables fault tolerance protection from physical link disruption,

higher bandwidth connections and improved bandwidth granularity.

Per IEEE 802.1AX, only links with the same operational characteristics, such

as speed and duplex setting, may be aggregated. Dell Networking switches

aggregate links only if they have the same operational speed and duplex

setting, as opposed to the configured speed and duplex setting. This allows

operators to aggregate links that use auto negotiation to set values for speed

and duplex or to aggregate ports with SFP+ technology operating at a lower

speed, e.g., 1G. Dissimilar ports will not become active in the LAG if their

operational settings do not match those of the first member of the LAG.

Link Aggregate Control Protocol (LACP) uses peer exchanges across links to

determine, on an ongoing basis, the aggregation capability of various links,

and continuously provides the maximum level of aggregation capability

achievable between a given pair of systems. LACP automatically determines,

configures, binds, and monitors the binding of ports to aggregators within the

Dell Networking switches support the MLAG feature to extends the LAG

bandwidth advantage across multiple Dell Networking switches connected to

a LAG partner device. The LAG partner device is oblivious to the fact that it

is connected over a LAG to two peer Dell Networking switches; instead, the

two switches appear as a single switch to the partner. When using MLAG, all

links can carry data traffic across a physically diverse topology and, in the case

of a link or switch failure, traffic can continue to flow with minimal

Switch Feature Overview

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