Why implement Ether-channel?
Users choose Ether-channel for various reasons. It simplifies the topology, increases bandwidth, and reduces the number of IP subnet required.
Higher bandwidth and load balancing options
- multi-adapter channels utilize aggregate bandwidth
- several user-configurable alternatives for directing traffic across the channel adapters
Built in availability features
- automatically handles adapter, link and network failures
- optional backup adapter to avoid SPOF (single point of failure) at network switch
- design techniques to avoid SPOFs
A simple, flexible solution and growth path
- one Ethernet MAC and IP address for entire aggregation (including backup adapter)
- accommodates future bandwidth requirements easily
- user can add, delete, and reconfigure adapters on the fly (no service disruption)
Various options for interoperability with network switch
- multi-adapter channels for both EtherChannel and 802.3ad capable switches
- single adapter channels and backup adapter links are transparent to the network switch
- channel backup adapter option (connect to a different network switch to avoid SPOF)
- channel operates without switch when two systems cabled directly (back-to-back)
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