LACP Aggregator Force-up

Overview

Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP) facilitates the bundling of multiple physical interfaces into a single logical link, enhancing bandwidth and providing redundancy. Aggregator Force-Up extends LACP functionality by enabling links to be forced into an active state without successful LACP negotiation. This is crucial in environments where connected devices, such as servers during boot stages, might not support LACP or have temporary configuration limitations.

Feature Characteristics

• Allows all interfaces within a Link Aggregation Group (LAG) or MLAG to be manually set to an active state without requiring successful LACP negotiation.
• In force-up state, each physical interface in a LAG or MLAG acts as an independent bridge-port, handling MAC learning and L2 traffic independently rather than as part of the aggregated link.
• LACP agg force-up can be enabled in LAG or MLAG interface not in physical interface.
• Interfaces automatically transition out of force-up state and resume normal LACP-based operations when LACP communication is successfully established on any of the links.

 

• An LACP link configured with force-up enters the force-up state 90 seconds after the parent LAG stops receiving LACP PDUs on all member links. The 90-second period is the force-up activation delay timer, which starts when the links transition to the expiry or defaulted MUX state.
• A force-up configured LACP link immediately exits the force-up state when the parent LAG interface receives LACP PDUs on any member link.
• The force-up activation delay timer restarts whenever a member LACP link in the parent LAG flaps.

Benefits

• Keeps network traffic flowing even when there’s a synchronization issue, preventing data loss and maintaining connectivity.
• Automatically switches the links to independent operation mode without manual intervention, simplifying network management.
• When synchronization is restored on any link, the LAG returns to its efficient, aggregated state.