Users Guide

12–Marvell Teaming Services
Teaming Mechanisms
Doc No. BC0054508-00 Rev. R
January 21, 2021 Page 163 Copyright © 2021 Marvell
Network Communications
Key attributes of SLB include:
 Failover mechanism—Link loss detection.
 Load Balancing Algorithm—Inbound and outbound traffic are balanced
through a Marvell proprietary mechanism based on Layer 4 flows.
 Outbound Load Balancing using MAC Address—No
 Outbound Load Balancing using IP Address—Yes
 Multivendor Teaming—Supported (must include at least one Marvell
Ethernet adapter as a team member).
Applications
The SLB algorithm is most appropriate in home and small business environments
where cost is a concern or with commodity switching equipment. SLB teaming
works with unmanaged Layer 2 switches and is a cost-effective way of getting
redundancy and link aggregation at the server. Smart Load Balancing also
supports teaming physical adapters with differing link capabilities. In addition, SLB
is recommended when switch fault tolerance with teaming is required.
Configuration Recommendations
SLB supports connecting the teamed ports to hubs and switches if they are on the
same broadcast domain. It does not support connecting to a router or Layer 3
switches because the ports must be on the same subnet.
Switch-Dependent
Generic Static Trunking
This mode supports a variety of environments where the adapter link partners are
statically configured to support a proprietary trunking mechanism. This mode
could be used to support the Lucent Open Trunk, the Cisco Fast EtherChannel
(FEC), and the Cisco Gigabit EtherChannel (GEC). In the static mode, as in
generic link aggregation, the switch administrator needs to assign the ports to the
team, as there is no exchange of the link aggregation control protocol (LACP)
frame.
With this mode, all adapters in the team are configured to receive packets for the
same MAC address. Trunking operates on Layer 2 addresses and supports load
balancing and failover for both inbound and outbound traffic.
The attached switch must support the appropriate trunking scheme for this mode
of operation. Both the QLASP and the switch continually monitor their ports for link
loss. In the event of link loss on any port, traffic is automatically diverted to other
ports in the team.