Broadcom NetXtreme BCM57 Series User Manual

Broadcom Gigabit Ethernet Teaming ServicesNetXtreme User Guide
Broadcom
®
April 2017 • 2CS57XX-CDUM514-R Page 110
Hardware Requirements
• Ethernet Switch
• Router
The various teaming modes described in this document place certain restrictions on the networking equipment
used to connect clients to teamed systems. Each type of network interconnect technology has an effect on
teaming as described in the following sections.
Ethernet Switch
Ethernet switches allow an Ethernet network to be broken into multiple broadcast domains. The switch is
responsible for forwarding Ethernet packets between hosts based solely on Ethernet MAC addresses. A
physical network adapter that is attached to a switch may operate in half-duplex or full-duplex mode.
To support Generic Trunking and 802.3ad Link Aggregation, a switch must specifically support such
functionality. If the switch does not support these protocols, it may still be used for Smart Load Balancing.
Router
A router is designed to route network traffic based on Layer 3 or higher protocols, although it often also works
as a Layer 2 device with switching capabilities. The teaming of ports connected directly to a router is not
supported.
Supported Features by Team Type
Table 11 provides a feature comparison across the team types supported by Broadcom NICs. Use this table to
determine the best type of team for your application. The teaming software supports up to eight ports in a single
team and up to 16 teams in a single system. These teams can be any combination of the supported teaming
types, but each team must be on a separate network or subnet.
Table 11: Comparison of Team Types
Type of Team Fault Tolerance Load Balancing
Switch-
Dependent Static
Trunking
Switch-
Independent
Dynamic Link
Aggregation
(IEEE 802.3ad)
Function
SLB with Standby
a
SLB Generic Trunking Link Aggregation
Number of ports per team
(same broadcast domain)
2–8 2–8 2–8 2–8
Number of teams 16 16 16 16
Adapter fault tolerance Yes Yes Yes Yes
Switch link fault tolerance
(same broadcast domain)
Yes Yes Switch-dependent Switch-dependent
TX load balancing No Yes Yes Yes
RX load balancing No Yes Yes (performed by
the switch)
Yes (performed by
the switch)
Requires compatible switch No No Yes Yes

Broadcom NetXtreme BCM57 Series Specifications

General

Brand	Broadcom
Model	NetXtreme BCM57 Series
Category	Controller
Language	English