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Re: IEEE 802.3ad on GSS116E as advertised?

blogthis
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IEEE 802.3ad on GSS116E as advertised?

The new GSS116E switch (not old GS116E) is advertised as supporting IEEE 802.3ad link aggregation standards.

Note that my Synology NAS does not support the proprietary Netgear-LAG mode, and requires the IEEE-802.3ad LACP-Active standard mode.

How and where exactly do I config two switch ports into LACP Active mode on this new GSS116E switch, as per IEEEE-802.3ad specs, as advertised?

The only option that I can see is the proprietary "LAG" mode for 2 sets of 2 ports each....?

Firmware is 1.0.0 release.

I already opened a ticket with Netgear business support, they said the switch was too new and they didn't have any documentation, training, or knowledge of the switch within their own tech support department - but suggested I post here.....

Thanks for any suggestions.

Message 1 of 14

Accepted Solutions
JohnRo
NETGEAR Employee Retired

Re: IEEE 802.3ad on GSS116E as advertised?

Hi Eaglehawk, 

 

The GSS116E switch only supports static LAG (see datasheet) compared to the GS108T which is a smart managed switch which has static LAG and LACP support. See instructions on enabling LAG on the datasheet, please click here

 

Thanks, 

View solution in original post

Message 7 of 14

All Replies
fordem
Mentor

Re: IEEE 802.3ad on GSS116E as advertised?

I'd suggest you go back to Netgear support & request (insist) that they escalate to L2 or L3 support.
Message 2 of 14
blogthis
Star

Re: IEEE 802.3ad on GSS116E as advertised?

Thank you for the response. I have indeed been working with and waiting on Netgear support for these past several days.

I wish to elaborate on my confusion here:


Netgear stating in their own Netgear ReadyNAS docs, which is somewhat similar to Synology NAS, that LACP is YES part of required IEEE 802.3ad LAG standards (Which is true as per Cisco, HP, etc):

http://kb.netgear.com/ci/fattach/get/82/1261408476/redirect/1/filename/Interface%20Teaming.pdf

Quote, "...IEEE 802.3ad: This option requires the switch or router in front of the ReadyNAS to be configured for dynamic link aggregation – it will not work if the router/switch is configured for static link aggregation..."


Netgear stating in their own Click Switch (aka. GSS116E) docs, that specifically, IEEE 802.3ad LAG is YES supported:

http://www.downloads.netgear.com/files/GDC/datasheet/en/Click-Switch.pdf

Quote, "IEEE 802.3ad Link Aggregation: Yes" [for GSS116E only, not GSS108E].

Note that "Yes" there to IEEE 802.3ad on GSS116E is critical to my confusion.

Now below, the redacted-response received from Netgear support:

---------------

Level-1:

Hi [redacted]

I apologize for the delay. Upon checking on this from our Specialist, Click Switch only supports "static" Link Aggregation. They also mentioned based on the setup and details for the Synology NAS uses LACP and the click switch does not support.

Thank you!

---------------

.... of course, I escalated, as this clearly contradicts Netgear marketing as per linked above stating IEEE 802.3AD=Yes.

Then below, I received this redacted-response from Netgear-2 support:

---------------

Level-2:

Hi [redacted]

My name is [redacted] from NETGEAR business support team, and I will be handling support expert for this case.

As with regards to your concern, you mentioned that you are trying to configure the 802.3ad LACP "Link Aggregation Control Protocol" which is the only protocol that your Synology NAS supports. I apologize, but all of our Prosafe Plus models which also includes this model only supports static LAG "Link Aggregation" which can be configure either through Prosafe Plus utility version 2.3.2, and through the WebUI page. The IEEE-802.3ad LACP-Active standard mode is only available on our Smart Switches models. If your Synology NAS does not support this, I suggest you to have it exchange with such as well.

Below is the instruction on how to configure static LAG:

LAG

Link aggregation groups (LAGs) allow you to combine multiple Ethernet links to a single logical link. Network devices treat the aggregation as if it were a single link, which increases fault tolerance and load sharing. Configure the LAG members before you enable the LAG.

• To enable or disable a LAG:
1. Select System > LAG > LAG Configuration.
2. Select the LAG ID that you want to configure.
3. In the Admin Mode list, select Enable or Disable.
4. Click Apply.

• To add ports to be LAG members:
1. Select System > LAG > LAG Membership.
2. Select the LAG ID you want to configure.
3. Select the ports that you want to be the LAG ID member ports.
4. Click Apply.

---------------

... note, problem is, if I set LAG Admin Mode = Enabled, then instantly, at that moment, connectivity to the NAS is lost (because it initiates LACP handshake as per IEEE 802.3ad standards, but does not get any reply from the Netgear GSS116E), and then at the point it hangs requiring one of two of the NAS ethernet cables to be disconnected.

---------------

OKAY -- so my question is this:

1. Is the firmware going to be updated on the GSS116E to support IEEE 802.3AD including LACP which is part of that standard, as advertised - if so WHEN, or,

2. Is it possible this was some kind of typographical error and/or a marketing mistake with GSS116E, and that the "802.3AD YES" Netgear advertised feature should be deleted from the Netgear docs, as per linked above?

I really don't want to have to return all these units....

Hopefully someone here can help clarify all of this for me soon, especially if I'm having some misunderstanding of what I think I know about LAG...

I look forward to any alternative suggestions to the RMA's?

Thank you!
Message 3 of 14
peak59
Aspirant

Re: IEEE 802.3ad on GSS116E as advertised?

I have the same problem 😞 new switch and dosn't work LAG in combination with synology NAS. the old GS108T worked... Î'm disappointed.

Message 4 of 14
JohnRo
NETGEAR Employee Retired

Re: IEEE 802.3ad on GSS116E as advertised?

Hello peak59, 

 

Welcome to the community! 

 

What is the model number of the switch do you have? 

 

Thanks, 

Message 5 of 14
Eaglehawk
Apprentice

Re: IEEE 802.3ad on GSS116E as advertised?

I'm in the same boat as everyone above. I made the decision to purchase this particular switch because of the specifications, and then I came across this thread as I just started to build up my Synology. I have a GSS116E and a DS1815+.

 

I also pose the same question, will there be an update to fix this?

Message 6 of 14
JohnRo
NETGEAR Employee Retired

Re: IEEE 802.3ad on GSS116E as advertised?

Hi Eaglehawk, 

 

The GSS116E switch only supports static LAG (see datasheet) compared to the GS108T which is a smart managed switch which has static LAG and LACP support. See instructions on enabling LAG on the datasheet, please click here

 

Thanks, 

Message 7 of 14
splbound
Aspirant

Re: IEEE 802.3ad on GSS116E as advertised?

I too was mislead by this specification under the assumption that IEEE 802.3ad includes LACP in its specification.

Neither could I find any clarity on whether the "IEEE 802.3ad" spec inherently includes LACP.

 

If stating "IEEE 802.3ad" compliancy inherently includes LACP then I would say that being advertised as IEEE 802.3.ad compliant for the GSS116E is false advertising. You cannot say that it is compliant if it cannot fulfill all the aspects of the standard.

 

Used to own an old GSM7224 which finally went kaboom and thought that this would be a good quiet, lower power usage, replacement for my home use. Felt swindled by Netgear when I went to configure the GSS116E and realised that Dynamic aggregation was not supported.

 

I'll just put it down to, Cavet Emptor should have RTFM to make sure it does support something implicitly.

Lucky for me I could configure my server for static aggregation so all was not lost. Otherwise it would have gone straight back.

 

Ultimately this just leaves me with a bad impression of Netgear, trust lost so will probably avoid in future purchases.

Message 8 of 14
chewara
Aspirant

Re: IEEE 802.3ad on GSS116E as advertised?

so i´m the next one who got mislead. 

infact of that miscommunication and false report in marketing, i will exchange all the netgear hardware in office (GS116Ev2, JGS524Ev2) an put it on the shopping black list. 

u stole 2-3 h of my time in the office, to figure out the problem u gave me. 

 

Bye, cu never again.

Model: GS116Ev2|ProSafe Plus 16 ports gigabits switch,JGS524Ev2|ProSafe Plus 24 ports gigabits switch
Message 9 of 14
NGDude
Aspirant

Re: IEEE 802.3ad on GSS116E as advertised?

Same thing here...Synology 1815+ and LAG do not work.

Message 10 of 14
DaneA
NETGEAR Employee Retired

Re: IEEE 802.3ad on GSS116E as advertised?

Hi NGDude,

 

Welcome to the community! 🙂 

 

I'm afraid that only static LAG is supported on the GSS116E.  I would recommend you the Smart Switch Series of NETGEAR here.  

 

 

Regards,

 

DaneA

NETGEAR Community Team

Message 11 of 14
ngts
Aspirant

Re: IEEE 802.3ad on GSS116E as advertised?

Hello Netgear,

 

it is even not planned to enable LACP through the firmware? As the technology itself is already supported in this switch. I also bought this one because of the technology availabled the LACP function and primarily I needed the clickable function.

 

BR,

Tamas

Message 12 of 14
DaneA
NETGEAR Employee Retired

Re: IEEE 802.3ad on GSS116E as advertised?

Hi ngts,

 

Welcome to the community! 🙂 

 

You may want to post your concern about having LACP be supported on the GSS116E switch on the Idea Exchange Board for Business here.   Be reminded that adding kudos to the ideas posted will help as the development team will be reviewing the post that has the most kudos for it to be considered to be added as a future functionality of the product.  

 

 

Regards,

 

DaneA

NETGEAR Community Team

Message 13 of 14
Retired_Member
Not applicable

Re: IEEE 802.3ad on GSS116E as advertised?

Both LACP and Static LAGs are covered by 802.3ad standard.

Static was in an "early" release of 802.3ad, LACP in a more recent version.

Neither of them are NETGEAR proprietary protocols, they both in the 802.3ad standard.

That's why on the Datasheet, it's stated "IEEE 802.3ad Link Aggregation: Static LAG". It might be a tiny bit confusing, but it doesn't say LACP anywhere, so it is correct.

 

As far as I know, no ProSafe Plus / Click Switches from NETGEAR (ending up by an "E") supports LACP LAGs, but most of them support Static LAGs. I'm also pretty it's never gonna be added on those switches as the chip is probably not powerful enough to process hashes as required by LACP.

 

If you look at the Synology article on how to create a bond, you also get the response:

https://www.synology.com/en-global/knowledgebase/DSM/help/DSM/AdminCenter/connection_network_linkagg...

02.png

LACP LAG on NETGEAR switch is IEEE 802.3ad Dynamic Link Aggregation on the Synology.

Static LAG on NETGEAR switch is Balance XOR (IEEE 802.3ad draft v1), this is sometimes called Round-Robin.

Message 14 of 14
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