Article Number: 000022781
Dell Unity: How to configure Link aggregation? (User Correctable)
Summary: This article explains Unity Link Aggregation and how to configure it.
Article Content
Instructions
Link Aggregation combines multiple network connections into one logical link. This provides increased throughput by distributing traffic across multiple connections and also provides redundancy in case one connection fails.
NAS Servers include one or more network interfaces that are created on the Ethernet ports for host access. Prior to configuring any interfaces on the Ethernet ports, configure Link Aggregation between two or more ports. Note that Link Aggregation can only be used for NAS Server interfaces so attempting to configure it on Ethernet ports that have existing iSCSI interfaces is prohibited. Link Aggregation can be configured in the Settings page from Unisphere as below snapshot.
Link aggregations can be configured with two to four ports. Starting with Dell Unity OE version 4.2.1, link aggregation can be created using ports from different I/O Modules and also between I/O Modules and the onboard Ethernet ports. Previously, only ports belonging to the same I/O Module or on-board Ethernet ports could be selected to add to a link aggregation, leading to the potential that if that I/O Module fails, the entire link would fail and data may become unavailable.
NAS Servers include one or more network interfaces that are created on the Ethernet ports for host access. Prior to configuring any interfaces on the Ethernet ports, configure Link Aggregation between two or more ports. Note that Link Aggregation can only be used for NAS Server interfaces so attempting to configure it on Ethernet ports that have existing iSCSI interfaces is prohibited. Link Aggregation can be configured in the Settings page from Unisphere as below snapshot.
Link aggregations can be configured with two to four ports. Starting with Dell Unity OE version 4.2.1, link aggregation can be created using ports from different I/O Modules and also between I/O Modules and the onboard Ethernet ports. Previously, only ports belonging to the same I/O Module or on-board Ethernet ports could be selected to add to a link aggregation, leading to the potential that if that I/O Module fails, the entire link would fail and data may become unavailable.
Additional Information
Link Aggregation can only be used for NAS Server interfaces so attempting to configure it on Ethernet ports that have existing iSCSI interfaces is prohibited from Unity Side.
Note: When configuring Link Aggregation, ensure the same ports are cabled on both SPs. This is necessary because in case of failover, the peer SP uses the same ports. Also, ensure the appropriate switch ports connected to the SP s are also configured for Link Aggregation. If the switch is not configured properly, communication issues may occur. Ensure the switch ports on the connections from both SPs use the same VLAN addresses, if configured.
For more information, please see this manual on configuring Unity High Availability:
https://dl.dell.com/content/manual42328597-dell-emc-unity-family-configuring-high-availability.pdf?language=en-us
Note: When configuring Link Aggregation, ensure the same ports are cabled on both SPs. This is necessary because in case of failover, the peer SP uses the same ports. Also, ensure the appropriate switch ports connected to the SP s are also configured for Link Aggregation. If the switch is not configured properly, communication issues may occur. Ensure the switch ports on the connections from both SPs use the same VLAN addresses, if configured.
For more information, please see this manual on configuring Unity High Availability:
https://dl.dell.com/content/manual42328597-dell-emc-unity-family-configuring-high-availability.pdf?language=en-us
Article Properties
Affected Product
Dell EMC Unity Family
Product
Dell EMC Unity Family
Last Published Date
01 Mar 2023
Version
4
Article Type
How To