Deciding when to use DD Boost if group or LACP bonding and the use of both simultaneously.
 

Benefits of Using if group Over LACP for DD Boost Backups

• LAN vs. WAN Usage:
  For LAN environments, using if group for DD Boost backups is recommended. For WAN environments, a combination of LACP and if group provides the best performance.
• Load Balancing and Failover:
  if group offers better automated load balancing per interface. Failover occurs at the application level, requiring a brief connection loss and reconnection. In contrast, LACP detects interface issues and switches without dropping the connection. Both methods are transparent to end users.
• Configuration Overhead:
  if group requires less configuration compared to LACP. if group operates end-to-end, while LACP is point-to-point and requires configuration at multiple connection points in the data path.
• Mixed Load Environments:
  It is best practice to separate CIFS/NFS traffic from DD Boost traffic using different interfaces. If multiple interfaces are not feasible, using if group for both traffic types is acceptable.
• Interface Flexibility:
  if group supports mixed interface types (for example, 1 Gb/s, 10Gb/s optical, or fiber) within the same group. LACP bonding requires interfaces of the same speed and type (for example, cannot bond 10 Gb/s copper with 10Gb/s optical or mix 1 Gb/s with 10Gb/s).
• WAN Aggregation:
  In DDOS 5.7 and earlier, if group does not aggregate across interfaces in WAN environments. LACP is required for aggregation, while if group ensures separation between management and data interfaces.
• Best Practices:
  • Use if group for LAN (local backups).
  • Use LACP for WAN (remote replication).
  • Keep the management network separate from data traffic in both LAN and WAN environments.