Configuring a Link Aggregate

Log in as superuser.

Enter sam at the HP-UX system prompt.

Double-click Networking and Communications, and then Auto Port Aggregation. A window like the one in Figure 3-10 appears. The Networking and Communications screen's List pull-down menu displays one of the following:

	NOTE: The starting PPA number for link aggregates varies with the operating system installed: for HP-UX 11.0, it is 100; and for all versions of 11i, it is 900.

Figure 3-10 Displaying Link Aggregates

Click on the link aggregate to be configured. From the Actions pull-down menu choose the Configure Link Aggregate option. A window similar to Figure 3-11 will appear.

Figure 3-11 Configuring Link Aggregates

Click Advanced Options to display window similar to Figure 3-12.

Figure 3-12 Link Aggregate Advanced Options

Verify the correct settings for the load-balancing (distribution) algorithm. If required, make the necessary changes.

Change the group capability of this link aggregate as required. The group capability should be a nonzero number that differs from the group capability of any other link aggregate. It should also match the group capability that will be assigned later to the ports intended to join the link aggregate. Click OK, then click OK in the Configure Link Aggregate window.

Choose the Network Physical Ports that Support HP APA option from the List pull-down menu. The displayed port configuration mode (column 7 in Figure 3-13) determines the mode for the link aggregation. In Figure 3-13 the configuration mode for the ports that support APA is, by default, set to MANUAL mode. You might need to adjust the horizontal scroll bar to see all the window's fields.

Figure 3-13 Network Physical Ports Supporting HP APA

For each port to be configured in the automatic link aggregation, verify that the port's configuration mode is set to the desired mode: FEC_AUTO. Check that the port's group capability matches the group capability that was previously assigned to the link aggregation. If changes are needed, go to the next step.

Highlight the port to configure by clicking on the port designated by its PPA.

In the Actions pull-down menu, choose the Modify Network Physical Port Attributes option. You will see a window like the one in Figure 3-14.

Figure 3-14 Modify Network Physical Port Attributes

In this window, make the necessary changes and click OK.

Repeat steps 8 through 12 to configure the remaining ports to be in the aggregate. Figure 3-15 shows a sample FEC_AUTO configuration using ports 0 and 1 with a group capability of 7.

Figure 3-15 Example of Configured Link Aggregates

From the List pull-down menu, choose the Link Aggregates Supported by HP APA option. A window similar to Figure 3-16 will appear. Note that the link aggregate might not have a status of UP immediately because HP APA and the switch or link partner might not have completed the negotiation required for forming the link aggregation.

Wait for the link aggregate to change status to LINK_UP. Then, configure the IP address on the link aggregate and continue with the next step.

Figure 3-16 Status of Configured Link Aggregate is UP

Click once again on the link aggregate being configured. Then from the Actions pull-down menu, choose the Configure Link Aggregate option. A window like that in Figure 3-17 will appear.

Figure 3-17 Configuring Link Aggregates

Fill in the desired IP address and subnet mask to be used for the link aggregate. Then click OK. A window like that in Figure 3-18 will appear.

Figure 3-18 Link Aggregate with Configured IP Address

Perform one of the following:

Log in as superuser.

Enter sam at the HP-UX system prompt.

Double-click Networking and Communications, and then Auto Port Aggregation. A window like the one in Figure 3-19 appears. The Networking and Communications screen List pull-down menu (Figure 3-19) displays either of the following:

Figure 3-19 Link Aggregates Supporting HP APA

Choose the Network Physical Ports that Support HP APA option from the List pull-down menu. The port configuration mode (shown in column 7 in Figure 3-20) determines the mode for the link aggregate. In Figure 3-20, the configuration mode for the ports that support HP APA is, by default, set to MANUAL mode. You might need to adjust the horizontal scroll bar to see all the window's fields.

Figure 3-20 Network Physical Ports Supporting APA

For each port to be configured in the manual link aggregate, verify that the port's configuration mode is set to the desired mode: MANUAL. Choose a Group Capability Number for each port and also for the aggregation. If changes are needed, go to the next step.

	NOTE: Set the group capability to be the same as that of the link aggregate to which it belongs. Ports going to different link aggregates should have different group capability numbers. For the September 2007 release of HP APA for HP-UX 11i v1 (B.11.11.30), you no longer need to assign a group capability number to ports to be included in a MANUAL mode link aggregate.

Highlight the port to configure by clicking on the port designated by its PPA.

In the Actions pull-down menu, choose the Modify Network Physical Port Attributes option. A window similar to the one in Figure 3-21 appears.

Figure 3-21 Modify Network Physical Port Attributes

In this window make the necessary changes and click OK.

Repeat steps 4 through 7 to configure the remaining ports to be in the aggregate.

To configure the link aggregate characteristics, choose the Link Aggregates supported by HP APA option from the List pull-down menu. A window similar to Figure 3-22 appears.

Figure 3-22 Display Link Aggregates to Configure

Click on the link aggregate being configured. Then, from the Actions pull-down menu, choose the Configure Link Aggregate option. A window similar to Figure 3-23 appears.

Figure 3-23 Configuring Link Aggregates

Fill in the desired IP address and subnet mask to be used for the link aggregate.

Click the Advanced Options button to display a window similar to Figure 3-24.

Figure 3-24 Link Aggregate Advanced Options

Verify the correct settings for the Group Capability (11i v1), assigned in step 4, and either Hot Standby or the load balancing (distribution) algorithm (not both). Make the necessary changes, if required. Then click OK.

Click Add or Delete Network Physical Ports. A window similar to Figure 3-25 appears.

Figure 3-25 Adding Ports to or Deleting Ports from Link Aggregate

Highlight a port to be included in the link aggregate. Then use < to move it into the link aggregate.

Figure 3-26 shows the result of moving lan0 and lan3 into the link aggregate, lan900.

Figure 3-26 Adding Ports to or Deleting Ports from Link Aggregate

Click OK to see the Configure Link Aggregates window (Figure 3-27) with all the link aggregate information filled in.

Figure 3-27 Configured Link Aggregates Display

Clicking OK displays the original window (Figure 3-28). It now shows lan900 configured as a MANUAL mode link aggregate.

Figure 3-28 Link Aggregate Displays with Status UP

The link aggregate is configured. Configure the next MANUAL mode link aggregate, or exit by choosing the Exit option from the File pull-down menu.