In this tutorial, we'll show you how to create a bonded interface for link aggregation on your Dell Data Domain system. Learn how to combine multiple network connections into a single logical link to enhance bandwidth, provide redundancy, and improve network performance. We'll cover the different modes of link aggregation, including Roundrobin, Balanced, and LACP, and guide you through the step-by-step process of configuring a bonded interface. Perfect for IT professionals and network administrators looking to optimize their network infrastructure. For more Information, check our Knowledge Base click here.
Welcome to this Dell Data Domain tutorial. In this video, we’ll guide you through the process of creating a bonded interface for link aggregation. First, let’s understand what link aggregation is. Link aggregation, also known as port trunking or bonding, is a technique used to combine multiple network connections into a single logical link. This enhances bandwidth, provides redundancy, and improves overall network performance. By aggregating links, you can increase total throughput beyond what a single connection could sustain and ensure network resilience in case one of the physical links fails.
There are 3 Modes available for Link Aggregation: Roundrobin: Transmit packets in sequential order from the first available link through the last in the aggregated group. Balanced: Data is sent over interfaces as determined by the hash method selected. This requires the associated interfaces on the switch to be grouped into an Etherchannel or trunk and given a hash via the Load Balance parameter. LACP: Link Aggregation Control Protocol is similar to Balanced, except that it uses a control protocol that communicates to the other end and coordinates which links within the bond are available for use. LACP provides a kind of heartbeat failover and must be configured at both ends of the link. On Balanced and LACP a Hash Type needs to be selected.
Details on these can be found in the Knowledge Base article 209434. Now, let’s move on to creating a bonded interface on your Dell Data Domain system. Start by logging into the Dell Data Domain System Manager. Navigate to "Hardware" -> Ethernet and "Interfaces". In the interfaces table, deactivate the physical interfaces that should be bonded by setting the "Enabled" column to "No". Now click "Create" and select "Virtual Interface". Specify a name. The usual naming convention is to have a Unique ID paired with the VLAN and IP.
In our case we type in 56 as the ID. In the bonding type, select "Aggregate" then select the bonding mode. If Balanced or LACP is selected, also select the Hash Type. Select the interfaces you want to add to the aggregate config und click next. The Create bonded interface dialog box appears. Enter an IP address, or enter 0 to specify no IP address. Enter a netmask address or prefix. Skip the Speed/Duplex options as they are ignored for bonding. Specify the MTU setting.
Optionally, select the Dynamic DNS Registration option. Keep in mind that DHCP is deactivated if Dynamic DNS is used. Click next and check your configuration on the summary page. Click Finish and Ok. In the interface table, you may need to enable the virtual interface if no IP was selected. And that’s it! You’ve successfully created a bonded interface for link aggregation. For further information, please refer to the Dell knowledge base article 209434 linked in the video description.
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