HP Manager Software manual Configuring Load Sharing

Configuring Load Sharing 225

Configuring Load A port group is a set of physical ports that function together as a single

Sharinglink and provide load sharing and link redundancy. Only network ports can participate in a port group.

Load Sharing The WX balances port group traffic among the group’s physical ports by assigning traffic flows to ports based on the source and destination MAC addresses of the traffic. The WX assigns a traffic flow to an individual port in the group and uses the same port for all subsequent traffic for that flow.

Link Redundancy A port group ensures link stability by providing redundant connections for the same link. If an individual port in a group fails, the WX reassigns traffic to the remaining ports. When the failed port starts operating again, the WX begins using it for new traffic flows. Traffic that belonged to the port before it failed continues to be assigned to other ports.

Configuration Layer 2 configuration changes apply collectively to a port group as a Changes Based on whole but not to individual ports within the group. For example,

Port Groups Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) changes affect the entire port group rather than individual ports. When you make Layer 2 configuration changes, you can use a port group name in place of the port list. Ethernet port statistics continue to apply to individual ports and not to port groups.

To configure load To configure load sharing, use the following procedure. sharing

1Do one of the following:

„Open the WX Switch wizard, then select Port Group in the organizer list of the System and Administrative page.

„In the Organizer panel, select Load Sharing under a WX switch, then select Config > Insert. The Create Port Group wizard appears. Go to step 3.

2Select New Port Group. The Create Port Group wizard appears.

3In the Port Group Name box, type the name of the port group (1 to 16 alphanumeric characters, with no spaces or tabs).

4Click Next. The Port Group Selection page appears.