NIC teaming is a function (or utility) of Windows Server 2012, similar in meaning to bonding, balancing and aggregation, it allows us to combine multiple network cards to increase data transfer performance and increase tolerance. error. For example, the server has a damaged network card, or the switch connected to the server is damaged, or forgot to plug in a cable to the server. These errors will result in the server being unable to communicate with the network system.
Previously, combining network cards was a function that came with specific hardware. Windows Server 2012 provides network card pooling functionality independent of hardware. It allows combining multiple physical network cards into a single network card. A combined network card (usually) has a bandwidth equal to the total bandwidth of many network cards combined, and also increases fault tolerance for the connection, because if a few physical network cards fail, the system will still maintain the connection. The connection is normal, of course the bandwidth is reduced.
Network card integration in Windows Server 2012 supports two types (modes): Switch Independent Mode and Switch Dependent Mode.
– Switch Independent Mode: network cards are connected to different switches, providing redundant transmission lines for the network system.
– Switch Dependent Mode: network cards are connected to the same switch, providing a connection with a bandwidth equal to the total bandwidth of the network cards.
In Switch Independent Mode you have two options:
– Active/active all adapters: all network cards are in active mode, the bandwidth will be the total bandwidth of the network cards. If one network card fails, network traffic will be shared among the remaining network cards.
– Active/standby: a network card will be set in reserve mode (standby). When a network card is damaged, the network card in reserve mode will be switched to active mode. Thus, before and after a network card is damaged, the system bandwidth will not change.
In Switch Dependent Mode you have two options:
– Generic (or static) teaming: this type of configuration requires configuration on both the switch and host to determine which link will participate in the pooled network card. Because of manual configuration, no additional protocols are needed to assist the switch and host in determining the path and identifying errors during setup. This type is supported by server-class switches. This type is widely used in load sharing between network cards in the system.
– Dynamic teaming (Link Aggregation Control Protocol – LACP, IEEE 802.1ax): This type is also known as IEEE 802.3ad. Dynamic teaming works based on the LACP protocol. This protocol automatically builds and adjusts aggregated network cards, automatically determining which connections between the switch and host will participate in the aggregated network card. Requires devices to have LACP support.
You can create and manage integrated network cards using Server Manager or Windows PowerShell. Here are the steps to create integrated network cards using Server Manager:
first. In Server Manager, the NIC Teaming item is in the Disabled state, click on the word Disabled.
2. The NIC Teaming window appears, in the TEAMS section, click on TASKS, select New Team.
3. In the New team window, click Additional properties to expand the items that need to be configured.
4. In the New team window, enter a name for the combined network card to be created in the Team name section, for example NICTeam1. In the Member adapters section, check the network cards that will participate in NICTeam1, for example: Ethernet, Ethernet2.
5. Select the type for the combined network card in the Teaming mode section, you can choose the following types:
– Static Teaming (dependent switch mode)
– Switch Independent
– LACP (dependent mode switch)
6. Select the load sharing type in the Load balancing mode section, you can choose the following types:
– Address Hash
– Hyper-V Port
– Dynamic
7. If you select Switch Independent in the Teaming mode section, the Standby adapter section will be turned on so you can choose which network card will switch to standby state – backup, or no network card in standby state (None). The example here will select the Ethernet network card in standby state.
8. Click the OK button to see the results.
9. Once the pooled network card has been created, you will use the NIC Teaming window to monitor the operating status of the pooled network cards as well as each network card. If any network card has a problem, you will receive a notification, and depending on the type of network card configured, the system will make the necessary changes.
At this point, the steps to configure NIC teaming on Windows Server 2012 have been completed. I wish you success.
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