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5.5 Configuring Teaming
The teaming function allows you to group any available network adapters together to function as a
team. Teaming is a method of creating a virtual LAN (a group of multiple adapters that functions as a
single adapter). The benefit of this approach is that it enables load balancing and failover. Teaming is
done through the Broadcom Advanced Server Program (BASP) software. For a comprehensive
description of the technology and implementation considerations of the teaming software, refer to
J"4 Broadcom Gigabit Ethernet Teaming Services"(pg.119)
Teaming can be accomplished by either of the following methods:
• Using the Broadcom Teaming Wizard
J"5.5.2 Creating and Modifying a Team Using the Teaming Wizard"(pg.177)
• Using Expert Mode
J"5.5.3 Using Expert Mode"(pg.186)
` If you do not enable LiveLink™ when configuring teams, disabling Spanning Tree Protocol
(STP) at the switch is recommended. This minimizes the downtime due to spanning tree
loop determination when failing over. LiveLink mitigates such issues.
` BASP does not support Microsoft Network Load Balancing (NLB).
` The Large Send Offload (LSO), and Checksum Offload properties are enabled for a team
only when all of the members support and are configured for the feature.
` You must have administrator privileges to create or modify a team.
` The load balance algorithm in a team environment in which members are connected at
different speeds favors members connected with a Gigabit Ethernet link over members
connected at lower speed links (100 Mbps or 10 Mbps) until a threshold is met. This is
normal behavior.
For more details about Teaming, refer to "1.3.3 Teaming Function" (Jpg.109).
` Link aggregation is not supported in the Blade Server.