4 Broadcom Gigabit Ethernet Teaming Services
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E
• Router
A router is designed to route network traffic based on Layer 3 or higher protocols, although it often
also works as a Layer 2 device with switching capabilities. The teaming of ports connected directly
to a router is not supported.
4.3.5 Configuring Teaming
The Broadcom Advanced Control Suite 2 (BACS2) utility is used to configure teaming in the
supported operating system environments.
The BACS2 utility is designed to run in one of the following 32-bit and 64-bit Windows operating
systems: Microsoft Windows 2000 Server and Windows Server 2003. BACS2 is used to configure
load balancing and fault tolerance teaming, and VLANs. In addition, it displays the MAC address,
driver version, and status information. BACS2 also includes a number of diagnostics tools such as
hardware diagnostics, cable testing, and a network topology test.
4.3.6 Supported Features by Team Type
"Comparison of Team Types" provides a feature comparison across the team types. Use this table to
determine the best type of team for your application. The teaming software supports up to eight ports
in a single team and up to four teams in a single system. The four teams can be any combination of
the supported teaming types, but each team must be on a separate network or subnet.
• Comparison of Team Types
Type of Team
Fault
Tolerance
Load
Balancing
Switch-
Dependent
Static
Trunking
Switch-
Independent
Dynamic Link
Aggregation
(IEEE 802.3ad)
Function
SLB with
Standby
(*1)
SLB
Generic
Trunking
Link Aggregation
Number of ports per
team (same
broadcast domain)
2-8
2-8
2-8
2-8
Number of teams
4
4
4
4
Adapter fault
tolerance
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Switch link fault
tolerance (same
broadcast domain)
Yes
Yes
Switch-
dependent
Switch-dependent
TX load balancing
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
RX load balancing
No
Yes
Yes (performed
by the switch)
Yes (performed by
the switch)
Requires
compatible switch
No
No
Yes
Yes
Heartbeats to check
connectivity
No
No
No
No