9.5.01 HP P4000 SAN Solution User Guide (AX696-96168, February 2012)

Figure 28 Link aggregation dynamic mode in a single-switch topology
1. Servers
2. HP P4000
3. Storage cluster
How Adaptive Load Balancing works
Adaptive Load Balancing allows the storage system to use both interfaces simultaneously for data
transfer. Both interfaces have an active status. If the interface link to one NIC goes offline, the other
interface continues operating. Using both NICs also increases network bandwidth.
Requirements for Adaptive Load Balancing
To configure Adaptive Load Balancing:
• Both NICs must be enabled.
• NICs must be configured to the same subnet.
• NICs can be connected to separate switches.
Which physical interface is preferred
Because the logical interface uses both NICs for data transfer, neither of the NICs in an Adaptive
Load Balancing bond is designated as preferred.
Which physical interface is active
When the Adaptive Load Balancing bond is created, if both NICs are plugged in, both interfaces
are active. If one interface fails, the other interface continues operating. For example, suppose
Motherboard:Port1 and Motherboard:Port2 are bonded in an Adaptive Load Balancing bond. If
Motherboard:Port1 fails, then Motherboard:Port2 remains active.
Once the link is fixed and Motherboard:Port1 is operational, it becomes active again.
Motherboard:Port2 remains active.
Configuring network interface bonds 63