Administrator Guide

NOTE: For more information, see the Microsoft Windows Powered operating system's online help.
Network Adapter Teaming
Network adapter teaming allows the system to use the combined throughput of multiple network ports in parallel to increase
performance or to provide fault tolerance. Network adapter teaming on your NAS system supports the following technologies:
Adaptive Load Balancing (ALB) from Intel®
Adapter Fault Tolerance (AFT) from Intel
Link Aggregation
Fast EtherChannel (FEC)
IEEE 802.3ad
NOTE: When creating or removing network adapter teams, the IP address of the NAS system's LAN connections
changes. To prevent disconnection from the NAS system during team configuration, use a serial connection (or connect
a keyboard, monitor, and mouse to the NAS system) when creating or removing teams. See "Configuring Your System
Using a Serial Connection" in "Initial Configuration" before configuring your teams.
Adaptive Load Balancing
Adaptive Load Balancing (ALB) is a simple and efficient method for increasing the NAS system's network transmission
throughput. The ALB software continuously analyzes transmission loading on each adapter and balances the load across the
teamed ports as needed. Adapter teams configured for ALB also provide the benefits of adapter fault tolerance. To use ALB,
the Ethernet ports on the NAS system must be linked to the same Ethernet switch.
Adapter Fault Tolerance
Adapter Fault Tolerance (AFT) provides the safety of an additional backup link between the NAS system and the hub or
switch. If a hub, switch port, cable, or Ethernet port fails, you can maintain uninterrupted network performance. AFT is
implemented with a primary adapter and a backup, or secondary, adapter. If the link to the primary adapter fails, the link to
the secondary adapter automatically takes over.
Link Aggregation
Link aggregation is a performance technology developed by Intel and others to increase a system's network throughput.
Unlike ALB, link aggregation can be configured to increase both transmission and reception channels between your system
and switch. Link aggregation works only with compatible Intel switches. To use link aggregation, the Ethernet ports of the
NAS system must be linked to the same Intel Ethernet switch.
Fast EtherChannel
Fast EtherChannel (FEC) is a performance technology developed by Cisco Systems to increase a system's network throughput.
Unlike ALB, FEC can be configured to increase both transmission and reception channels between your NAS system and
switch. FEC works only with compatible Cisco switches. To use FEC, the Ethernet ports of the NAS system must be linked to
the same Cisco FEC-compatible switch.
IEEE 802.3ad
IEEE 802.3ad is a performance technology standard that increases a system's network throughput. IEEE 802.3ad is similar to
the FEC standard developed by Cisco. However, whereas FEC works only with FEC-compatible Cisco switches, IEEE 802.3ad
works with all switches that support IEEE 802.3ad. To use IEEE 802.3ad, the Ethernet ports of the NAS system must be linked
to the same IEEE 802.3ad switch.