Web-based Configuration Guide
Port Management
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4.3
Aggregate Ports
4.3.1
Aggregate Port Overview
An aggregate port (AP) is a logical link formed by binding multiple physical links. It is used to expand link
bandwidth, thereby improving connection reliability.
The AP function supports load balancing and therefore, evenly distributes traffic to member links. The AP
implements link backup. When a member link of an AP is disconnected, the system automatically distributes
traffic of this link to other available member links. Broadcast or multicast packets received by one member link
of an AP are not forwarded to other member links.
⚫
If a single interface that connects two devices supports the maximum rate of 1000 Mbps (assume that
interfaces of both devices support the rate of 1000 Mbps), when the service traffic on the link exceeds 1000
Mbps, the excess traffic will be discarded. Link aggregation can solve this problem. For example, use
n
network cables to connect the two devices and bind the interfaces together. In this way, the interfaces are
logically bound to support the maximum traffic of 1000 Mbps ×
n
.
⚫
If two devices are connected through a single cable, when the link between the two interfaces is disconnected,
services carried on this link are interrupted. After multiple interconnected interfaces are bound, as long as
there is one link available, services carried on these interfaces will not be interrupted.
4.3.2
Overview
1.
Static AP Address
In static AP mode, you can manually add a physical interface to an aggregate port. An aggregate port in static
AP mode is called a static aggregate port and the member ports are called member ports of the static aggregate
port. Static AP can be easily implemented. You can aggregate multiple physical links by running commands to
add specified physical interfaces to an AP. Once a member interface is added to an AP, it can send and receive
data and balance traffic in the AP.
2.
Dynamic Aggregation
Dynamic aggregation mode is a special port aggregation function developed for the WAN port of RG-MR series
gateway devices. The maximum bandwidth of the WAN port of the MR device can support 2000M, but after the
intranet port is connected to the switch, a single port can only support a maximum bandwidth of 1000M. In order
to prevent the downlink bandwidth from being wasted, it is necessary to find a way to increase the maximum
bandwidth of the port between the MR device and the switch, and the dynamic aggregation function emerged
to meet the need.
After connecting the two fixed AG (aggregation) member ports on the MR gateway device to any two ports on
the switch, through packet exchange, the two ports on the switch can be automatically aggregated, thereby
doubling the bandwidth. The aggregate port automatically generated in this way on the switch is called a dynamic
aggregate port, and the corresponding two ports are the member ports of the aggregate port.
Note
Dynamic aggregate ports do not support manual creation and can be deleted after they are automatically
generated by the device, but member ports cannot be modified.
