User`s guide

Introduction
1-2
Packet Distribution
Packet distribution is based on hardware family type:
MultiSwitch 700
Packet distribution among the ports in the group is accomplished by adding the
destination and source MAC addresses and then applying the modulus operator
to the sum using the number of active ports in the group. The remainder, which
falls into the range of the number of ports in the group, will dictate which port
will be used by the address. This gives a random distribution of the packet load,
but insures that the same destination-source ßow always goes out the same port.
This alleviates the possibility of out-of-order packets.
Modulus Examples
Ports contained in the trunk are labeled from zero (0) to one less than the number
of ports in the group. For example, if the physical ports in the group are
1 3 5 7 9, packet distribution would be based on the trunking port number
assigned. Trunking port numbers are 0 1 2 3 4.
The modulus operator divides the Þrst number by the second number and yields
a whole number remainder:
(sum of addresses) modulus (number of trunk ports) = remainder
For example:
5 mod 4 = 1
(Four goes into Þve once with a remainder of one)
4 mod 5 = 4 (Five goes into four no times with a remainder of four)
The remainder is the useful number that will fall between zero (0) and one less
than the number of trunk ports. This remainder will dictate which trunk port is
used to send the trafÞc by matching it to the trunking port number.