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Forum Discussion

milp's avatar
milp
Tutor
Jan 19, 2023

Linking two linux machines together. Do I need LAG or no LAG configuration on Netgear switch?

I'm a bit unsure on if and how I should configure an LAG.

 

Scenario:

I have two linux machines (names "linuxA" and "linuxB", hardware supermicro, OS CentOS 😎 linked together via direct cable in a linux-only LAG. The LAG, made up of a fiber port (p8) and a copper port (p6) from each linux machine is working fine and is reliable. 

  • linuxA(p8) <-- FO link --> linuxB(p8)
  • linuxA(p6) <-- copper link --> linuxB(p6)

 

  • linuxA-bond0(p6,p8)   (this equals the LAG on machine linuxA)
  • linuxB-bond0(p6,p8)   (this equals the LAG on machine linuxB)

 

There are some upcoming architecture changes and I now need to and put a netgear switch in between the two linux machines.

 

  • linuxA(p8) <--> switch <--> linuxB(p8)
  • linuxA(p6) <--> switch <--> linuxB(p6)

 

The switch is a stack of a M4300-12X12F and a M4300-24X. 

 

  • linuxA(p8) <--> 1/0/3 switch 1/0/5 <--> linuxB(p8)
  • linuxA(p6) <--> 2/0/3 switch 2/0/5 <--> linuxB(p6)

1/0/3, 1/0/5,  2/0/3 and 2/0/5 are in a completely separate VLAN which is not connected to anything else.

 

Now my question(s):

  • Do I have to create a LAG with for 1/0/3 and 2/0/3 ?
  • Do I have to create a LAG with for 1/0/5 and 2/0/5 ?
  • If yes, what kind of LAG hash mode do I need to choose?
  • The linux bond mentions LACP rate slow.  I guess I would have to configure that too on the switch, but I did not find where i could do that.

 

Thanks for any hint.

 

Dan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2 Replies

  • schumaku's avatar
    schumaku
    Guru - Experienced User

    The mentioned slow LACP Rate does set how how fast the bonded interfaces should transmit LACPDU packets. The default is every 30 seconds, characterized by the lacp_rate value of "0" or "slow", or every second, characterized by the lacp_rate value of "1" or "fast". This has no impact on the possible bonding link (LACP) performance.

    • milp's avatar
      milp
      Tutor

      Thanks schumaku , I know what LACP rate is (frequency of LACP PDU updates sent via the link) and that it has nothing to do with the LAG speed. I was just interested where to configure this on a Netgear. 

      Apparently it only works by CLI and setting "lacp_rate". Thanks for the hint.

       

      Any idea on the other questions?

       

      Thanks


      Dan

       

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