5.5Configuring 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.