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GS-3012/GS-3012F User’s Guide
119
CHAPTER 15
Link Aggregation
This chapter shows you how to logically aggregate physical links to form one logical, higher-
bandwidth link.
15.1 Introduction to Link Aggregation
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. Link aggregation
also allows port redundancy, that is, if a port fails, the traffic automatically goes through
another trunk group member port.
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.
15.1.1 Dynamic Link Aggregation
The switch adheres to the 802.3ad standard for static and dynamic (LACP) port trunking.
The switch supports the link aggregation IEEE802.3ad 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.
Please note that:
• You must connect all ports point-to-point to the same Ethernet switch and configure the
ports for LACP trunking.
• LACP only works on full-duplex links.
• All ports in the same trunk group must have the same media type, speed, duplex mode and
flow control settings.
Configure trunk groups or LACP before you connect the Ethernet switch to avoid causing
network topology loops.