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HarryCartel's avatar
HarryCartel
Aspirant
Sep 11, 2017
Solved

Link Aggregation with macOS

Hi,

 

I've got two ethernet ports on my Mac mini and have bonded them together with the virtual interface. I've then plugged them both into my GS116Ev2. If I have LAG turned off the Ethernet bond from macOS connects just fine - if I turn LAG on, it disconnects and reports that my switch doesn't support link aggregation.

 

What's going on here? Why are they working with LAG turned off, but not on? Are they even working with an aggregated connection with LAG turned off (is the Mac doing it instead?) should they work with it on? 

 

  • Hi,

    There are several different types of Bonds/LAGs in existence. I will refer to these as LAGs from here on. Some LAGs will require that the other end is configured with the same type of LAG.

    Namely an LACP LAG will check and require that LACP is configured in the other end as well. Since your switch does not support LACP, then your MacOS complains. Given the error that you see, my guess is that your MacOS is set to use LACP currently.

    Your switch only support Static LAG. Also, often referred to as Round Robin. So, here are your options for a LAG configuration.

    1. Use Static LAG/Round Robin on the switch and the same type of LAG in MacOS.
    2. Use Load balacing LAG in MacOS. This will require no LAG setup on the switch.
    3. Use Active backup LAG in MacOS. This will require no LAG setup on the switch.


    Cheers

5 Replies

  • Hi,

    There are several different types of Bonds/LAGs in existence. I will refer to these as LAGs from here on. Some LAGs will require that the other end is configured with the same type of LAG.

    Namely an LACP LAG will check and require that LACP is configured in the other end as well. Since your switch does not support LACP, then your MacOS complains. Given the error that you see, my guess is that your MacOS is set to use LACP currently.

    Your switch only support Static LAG. Also, often referred to as Round Robin. So, here are your options for a LAG configuration.

    1. Use Static LAG/Round Robin on the switch and the same type of LAG in MacOS.
    2. Use Load balacing LAG in MacOS. This will require no LAG setup on the switch.
    3. Use Active backup LAG in MacOS. This will require no LAG setup on the switch.


    Cheers

    • HarryCartel's avatar
      HarryCartel
      Aspirant

      Percect, that makes sense.

       

      What are the differences between static LAG and LACP? 

       

      Does this mean that the Mac is using a reduced version of LAG with the Load Balancing version (option 2) ?

       

      Would there be any benefit to buying a full LACP switch and connecting that to the two ports?

      • Hopchen's avatar
        Hopchen
        Prodigy

        Hi again,

        LACP is a type of LAG, just like Static/Round Robin LAG, Load Balancing and Active Backup are all types of LAGs as well. There are more LAG types by the way, but the mentioned are the most popular ones.

        LACP is generally considered the best LAG type, for various reasons. It will check the other end so it provides fault-checks. Also, it is a dynamic LAG meaning that if there is an issue with one of the connections, LACP will revert to use only the good connections in the LAG. This is very handy when it comes to cable failure, etc. Lastly, on higher end switches, LACP can intelligently load balance the traffic between the connections/cables/ports in the LAG.

        So yeah, LACP is awesome. However, it is only really important in a business setting. I am not sure what setting you have (home/business), but for "smaller" operations any of the aforementioned LAG types would be just fine! I think buying a new switch, JUST for LACP capabilities, is an overkill in your case. LACP LAGs would be considered important to use when linking switches together in the core of the business network.


        Cheers

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