EtherChannel Question w/ Server

I've been reading about EtherChannel and in the text I came across something that was interesting. The general idea was that you could setup etherchannel to a server and have the link decision based on IP, port, etc.

This got me thinking. I have an IBM eServer sitting next to me as a file server for my home office, plus it also runs a Sql Server.

If I understand the theory correctly would I be able to setup a two line etherchannel to this server and have one line for the sql traffic and another for the Windows File Transfer traffic?

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tech-airman

Eco wrote:

I've been reading about EtherChannel and in the text I came across something that was interesting. The general idea was that you could setup etherchannel to a server and have the link decision based on IP, port, etc.

This got me thinking. I have an IBM eServer sitting next to me as a file server for my home office, plus it also runs a Sql Server.

If I understand the theory correctly would I be able to setup a two line etherchannel to this server and have one line for the sql traffic and another for the Windows File Transfer traffic?

Eco,

Questions:

What make and model managed switch(es) do you have?
How many NIC ports are there on the IBM eServer?

Eco

Switches: 3550 and a couple 2950s
Nics: 2 onboard Intel pro 1000 - one says model CT the other says model MT.

Thanks in advance

tech-airman

Eco wrote:

Switches: 3550 and a couple 2950s
Nics: 2 onboard Intel pro 1000 - one says model CT the other says model MT.

Thanks in advance

Eco,

Which exact model of "IBM eServer" do you have?

Eco

I resolved this out on my own. I figured I'd post my findings in the event someone browsing has the same question.

On the server end you setup link teaming with dynamic link aggregation. Both NICs have to have identical settings, in which case Intel creates a virtual NIC much like a port-channel interface which you can assign an ip address.

On the switch side you setup an EtherChannel with LACP in mode desirable. With a 3550 you can do either IP, TCP, or MAC. With a 2950 you can do MAC.

Paul Boz

Sorry I didn't see this earlier. I've got an IBM x series that I have running via the same config you do. It's mostly useless for me because I never need more than a single link to the server but it's good practice to configure it.

Good job solving your own problem. Where did you source the info you needed?

ziggy

Eco wrote:

On the switch side you setup an EtherChannel with LACP in mode desirable. With a 3550 you can do either IP, TCP, or MAC. With a 2950 you can do MAC.

Just need to clarify on that Eco.

Is "LACP in mode desirable" correct. I thought Cisco Etherchannel configuration was either Cisco Proprietary PAgP (Auto or Desirable) or IEEE LACP (Passive or Active). Or were you referring to the trunk link negotiation as desirable for DTP ?

Not nitpicking

just wanted to get my head clear on this.

TIA
Zig

Eco

ziggy wrote:

Eco wrote:

On the switch side you setup an EtherChannel with LACP in mode desirable. With a 3550 you can do either IP, TCP, or MAC. With a 2950 you can do MAC.

Just need to clarify on that Eco.

Is "LACP in mode desirable" correct. I thought Cisco Etherchannel configuration was either Cisco Proprietary PAgP (Auto or Desirable) or IEEE LACP (Passive or Active). Or were you referring to the trunk link negotiation as desirable for DTP ?

Not nitpicking just wanted to get my head clear on this.

TIA
Zig

You're correct. It's LACP Active. At the time I was trying to get the same setup working with PAgP and must have confused the terms. Good eye.

APA

Good work on finding the solution to this yourself

We have numerous servers at work teamed up in exactly the same config! Albeit on different switches