LACP and NAT support

[jschaeffer]

I'm trying to figure out the right hardware and software I need to properly connect some equipment in a data center where I'm collocating. The data center provides two NIC's to the rack and requires a redundant 802.3ad LACP aggregate link. They use VRRP-E on their side.

The problem is my 1941 router isn't able to connect. I think the router supports EtherChannel but not LACP (I could be wrong). If I put GigabitEthernet0/0 and 0/1 in a port channel the links remain down. Alternatively I can connect my L3 switch to the two NIC's in the rack and then configure a channel group and it does successfully connect. However my switches can perform NAT, which I need.

Is it possible to upgrade the software on a 1941 to support LACP? If not what type of equipment do I need to support LACP and NAT?

For reference this is the switch configuration that works:

interface Port-channel1
 no switchport
 ip address 192.168.7.212 255.255.255.248
!
interface GigabitEthernet1/0/47
 no switchport
 no ip address
 channel-group 1 mode active
!
interface GigabitEthernet2/0/47
 no switchport
 no ip address
 channel-group 1 mode active

[Jaderson Pessoa]

Hello,

LACP configuration

LACP is the standards based protocol used to signal LAGs. It detects and protects the network from a variety of misconfiguration, ensuring that links are only aggregated into a bundle if they are consistently configured and cabled. LACP can be configured in one of two modes:

Active mode – the device immediately sends LACP messages (LACP PDUs) when the port comes up
Passive mode – Places a port into a passive negotiating state, in which the port only responds to LACP PDUs it receives but does not initiate LACP negotiation

Your rotuer doesnt support this feature.

check it for more information: http://www.setatelecom.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Cisco-1941-Series-Integrated-Services-Routers-Data-sheet.pdf

[jschaeffer]

Thanks, that's what I thought. Any suggestion on which product series does support this an NAT?

[Jaderson Pessoa]

Its depends the budget that you have, the amont of data to transfer

By the way, check this model: ISR4431 SERIES
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/routers/4441-x-integrated-services-router-isr/model.html

[Seb Rupik · Accepted solution]

Hi there, 

The 1941 has been EOL'd and its replacement the 4221, as a far as I can tell doesn't support LACP either (feature browser, and datasheets).

If the only router functions you require are NAT and LACP, you may want to look at an ASA firewall, starting with the 5506-X.

Check table2 for the required throughput:

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/security/asa-5500-series-next-generation-firewalls/datasheet-c78-733916.html

cheers,

Seb.