NIC Teaming over 2 Switches

[ITGURU]

Currently I have each physical server with 4 NICS which connect to copper ports on a core switch that has a combination of copper ports and 10GB SFP ports, along with another 10GB core switch which only has SFP ports and no copper.

 

The plan is to do away with the main core, and just keep the second core , then have 2 x gigabit L2+ switches to connect the servers to, with each switch having a 10GB uplink to the second core.

 

Currently all servers has all 4 x 1 GB links set as LACP bonded together to the same switch.

 

Is it possible to have 2 of the copper links in 1 switch, the other 2 in the second switch to provide redundancy in the case of 1 of the switches failing? Using this for both load balancing and redundancy?

 

Is this only possible if the 2 switches are stacked together or how would I go about this if it's possible? Can I leave all 4 teamed in Server 2012 R2, plug 2 into 1 switch, 2 into the other and then make switch/and or Server teaming settings to get this setup?

 

Thanks.

[Chris_]

I'm no expert in this field.. but my understanding, if you wish to create a trunk with ports on multiple switches then they need to support the appropriate stacking configuration, varies between manufacturers.

 

However, if you're using Server 2012, and Windows 8 and onwards, I think you can use SMB 3.0 multichannel which is enabled by default. More info: https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/josebda/2012/06/28/the-basics-of-smb-multichannel-a-feature-of-windows-server-2012-and-smb-3-0/

[mukz]

Depends what switch you have? We have that setup with HP chassis switch. I think it can also be done on separate switches but they must be stacked in order to achieve this.

[ColinP]

yes you can using server 2012's built in teaming ... however you can only send data at the teamed speed but not receive unless you configure it on the switches

[phildyer]

I'd be cautious of doing away with a secondary core, I have done this and been in the unfortunate situation where the primary has failed. I'd consider having 2 small L3 switches with HSRP configured. Cisco do some really affordable and sold 2960's which are stackable and capable of taking 10GB SFP+

[Davit2005]

Currently I have each physical server with 4 NICS which connect to copper ports on a core switch that has a combination of copper ports and 10GB SFP ports, along with another 10GB core switch which only has SFP ports and no copper.

 

The plan is to do away with the main core, and just keep the second core , then have 2 x gigabit L2+ switches to connect the servers to, with each switch having a 10GB uplink to the second core.

 

Currently all servers has all 4 x 1 GB links set as LACP bonded together to the same switch.

 

Is it possible to have 2 of the copper links in 1 switch, the other 2 in the second switch to provide redundancy in the case of 1 of the switches failing? Using this for both load balancing and redundancy?

 

Is this only possible if the 2 switches are stacked together or how would I go about this if it's possible? Can I leave all 4 teamed in Server 2012 R2, plug 2 into 1 switch, 2 into the other and then make switch/and or Server teaming settings to get this setup?

 

Thanks.

 

Depends on the switch/technology and even the version if you can split the trunks across 2 individual switches.

 

But as others have said that you can use 2012 R2 NIC teaming in Switch independant mode if you can't do it in the physical switches.