UCS C200 + Windows + LACP

[ibrunello]

Hi,

I am about to install an UCS C200.

Since it's our first experience on UC platform (we wanted to give Cisco Servers a try, and maybe later expand to the whole UC world of fabrics, Nexus, and the like) we opted for the base system (C-Series), and the base operating system (windows 200x on bare metal).

We'd like to aggregate the two LOM NICs to allow failover.

Device is connected to a single switch (a cat 6500), and we though about an LACP etherchannel.

I just found references to configuring LACP / port aggretion on the B-series w/ 6xxx fabric, but nothing on standalone servers

1) is port aggregation performed at CIMC level or should we use OS configuration?

2) since if cards seems to be broadcom, should we use the BACS/BASP sw?

3) in case we use link aggregation, should still be able to use CIMC on LOM NICs, or are we forced to use the dedicated, non-redundant MGMT port?

TIA

Ivan Brunello

[lwatta]

You are going to need an LACP software driver for windows. The negotiation will have to happen in the OS. The CIMC is not capable of providing any type of teaming upstream to the running OS. As far as software you'll need to consult Microsoft and Broadcom for the right drivers and code.

If you want to stick with LACP I would but my CIMC on the dedicated CIMC port and not the LOM. If LACP can't come up you might not be able to get to your CIMC.

OS based LACP capability varies. I would play around with it and do some negative testing to make sure it's going to live up to your expectations.

louis