port channel load balancing - different methods on 2 joined switches - any issues ?

[carl_townshend]

Hi all

If we have an etherchannel between 2 different switches and both are using different load balancing methods, will this cause any issues, or sub optimal load sharing between them?

cheers

Carl

[Jon Marshall]

The load balancing on either can be different without any issues usually.

Sometimes you many want that eg for clients on switch connected via etherchannel to a L3 switch with the default  gateway the vast majority of their traffic would be to their default gateway so load balancing on destination IP would not be a good choice.

But for return traffic from the L3 switch could use the destination IP as this would differ per client.

Basically you pick the  most optimal load balancing algorithm on either end of the etherchannel.

Jon

[Joseph W. Doherty]

Disclaimer

The Author of this posting offers the information contained within this posting without consideration and with the reader's understanding that there's no implied or expressed suitability or fitness for any purpose. Information provided is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as rendering professional advice of any kind. Usage of this posting's information is solely at reader's own risk.

Liability Disclaimer

In no event shall Author be liable for any damages whatsoever (including, without limitation, damages for loss of use, data or profit) arising out of the use or inability to use the posting's information even if Author has been advised of the possibility of such damage.

Posting

As Jon has noted, you pick the most optimal load balancing algorithm for your Etherchannel's egress traffic.

When load-balancing only supported using source or destination information, most optimal usually differed on the two ends of the same Etherchannel.

When load-balancing supports using source and destination information, most optimal often is the same on the two ends of the same Etherchannel.