802.3ad connection from server to 2 switches

[trunguyen]

I am trying to find a solution for Windows-based server NIC connectivity redundancy using 2 different Cisco switches. The NIC mfg (Intel) states their NICs support dynamic 802.3ad, which allows the creation of a single EtherChanneling group from a server to 2 different switches. I have tried this in a lab environment & it does appear to work but can't find reference from Cisco to say it is supported. Does anyone know the answer to this or alternative Cisco-supported solution? Thanks. TN

[khj1]

hi

cisco equipment dont support etherchannel to different switches.

BR

[trunguyen]

Thanks for the reply. Does anyone know if this will be supported in the future? TN

[rwcrowe]

One way you can achieve redundancy is if the switch the servers are connecting to is a modular switch with redundant power supplies and multiple 10/100 blades. (ie, 4000,4500,6000,6500). You can then configure the Intel NIC's to connect to the switch via EtherChannel. NIC #1 of server going to say blade 2 and NIC #2 of server going to blade 3. Not only do you get redundancy this way but you also get 200Mbps server connectivity.