Procedure 11-38: Create/Modify/Delete link aggregation group (LAG)

Steps

Use the following procedures to create, modify, or delete a link aggregation group (LAG).:

1	Use the WaveStar® CIT to log in to the Alcatel-Lucent 1665 DMXtend shelf. Reference: Procedure 14-2: Connect Personal Computer (PC) and establish WaveStar® CIT session
2	Perform the following procedures as required: Procedure 11-38.1: Create/Modify/Delete LAG on LNW70/LNW170 (unprotected) Procedure 11-38.2: Create LAG on new LNW170 circuit packs (protected) Procedure 11-38.3: Create LAG, both slots already equipped with LNW170 circuit packs with VLF Mains Procedure 11-38.4: Create LAG, one slot already equipped with LNW170 circuit pack with VLF Mains Procedure 11-38.5: Create LAG, one slot already equipped with LNW170 circuit pack with non-VLF Mains Procedure 11-38.6: Delete LAG on LNW170 (change protected to unprotected) End of steps

Link Aggregation

Link aggregation allows one or more links to be combined into one logical group of point-to-point links operating at the same data rate. The Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP), defined in IEEE Std 802.3™-2002, facilitates the aggregation function between the two ends of the logical link, but is not required. Aggregation can be forced when the protocol is set to NONE.

The Configuration → Data → Create/Modify/Delete LA Group command ( ent-lagrp/ed-lagrp/dlt-lagrp TL1 command) from the System View menu allows you to modify LAGs or create or delete a LAG on the LNW70 or unprotected LNW170. LAG groups on protected LNW170 circuit packs are created using the Configuration → Equipment command (ed-eqpt TL1 command) from the System view menu to set the Slot Protection State to PROT and configure related parameters. See Table 11-15, ENT-LAGRP command provisionable parameters for a list of LAG provisionable parameters.

Additional LAN port LAG related parameters are provisioned using the TL1 ed-eport command or Configuration → Equipment from the System View menu.

See Procedure 11-8: Provision Ethernet LAN port parameters

ENT-LAGRP command parameters

Table 11-15, ENT-LAGRP command provisionable parameters lists the provisionable parameters for the ent-lagrp command.

Table 11-15: ENT-LAGRP command provisionable parameters

Parameter	Description
aid	LA Group AID. This is the address of the Link Aggregation Group (LAG). The LAG must not already exist. The aid is that of a function or growth group (for example d-lag3). There may be up to 8 LAGs for the group in a 0x1 configuration with a maximum of 4 per circuit pack.
leadport	Lead Port. Values: An Ethernet/LAN port AID. This is a mandatory parameter. The Lead Port must be in the same function group as the LAG aid. It must already be in a Virtual Switch. The lead port's membership in the VS is transferred to the LAG, as well as VLAN memberships and QoS services. Other Layer 2 provisioning (ed-eport) is also copied to the LAG. As a result, service on the Lead Port is continued on the LAG.
eplst	Member Port AID(s). Value: An Ethernet/LAN port AID. The Member Port must be in the same function group circuit pack and at the same rate as the leadport. It must NOT be a member of another LAG and NOT a member of a Virtual Switch.
hashtype	Hash Type The basis for assigning a conversation to a link. . Valid values are: MAC - Use Source Address/Destination Address (SA/DA) (initial value) IP - Use Source IP Address/Destination IP Address (SIP/DIP). This may allow better load distribution when connected to a router where the MAC SA/DA are constant or nearly constant and the traffic is IP.
protocol	Protocol. The protocol used for Link Aggregation. Valid values: LACP - IEEE Std 802.3™-2002 Link Aggregation Control Protocol (initial value). NONE - Aggregation among members is forced. Any Link Aggregation protocol messages received are ignored and none are sent.
asmode	Active/Standby Mode. Values: ENABLE — active/standby mode is enabled. The value is valid only when LACP is enabled (protocol = LACP). DISABLE — active/standby mode is disabled. The LAG is in Load Balanced Mode (initial value)
actsyspri	Actor System Priority. Specifies the system priority for a LAG. Value: an integer in the range 0 to 65535. The initial value is 32768.

LAG rules for unprotected LNW70/LNW170

The following lists some rules for link aggregation on unprotected LNW70/LNW170 circuit packs:

• Applies to the LNW70/LNW170 in Switched mode only in any function or growth group. Uses LAN ports only.

• On unprotected LNW70/LNW170 circuit packs, two ports maximum per LAG. Any pair of ports of the same rate, all on the same pack. The maximum number of LAG groups for the same pack is four. The maximum number for two independent packs in the same function group is eight. LAG numbers 1 - 8 valid.

• The LAG transfers memberships and services (VLAN’s, VS, ERATE services, static MAC entries, etc.) from the founding member (leadport) when created. Only the LAG is in a VS or VLAN, not the member ports. Other EPORT L2 provisioning is copied to the LAG (see “ED-EPORT Valid Parameters for LAG and Members”). The L2 parameters can be subsequently edited on the LAG only.

• For unprotected LNW70/LNW170, other members added to the LAG must not be in a VS, VLAN or have an ERATE service when added.

• For unprotected LNW70/LNW170, removed members, except the last, are not in a VS, VLAN, nor have services, and revert to their original L2 provisioning.

• For unprotected LNW70/LNW170, when the LAG is deleted, the last member inherits the current L2 parameter values, memberships, and services, from the LAG.

• Applicable L1 parameters for member ports remain independent per port; they do not apply to the logical port. Flow control allowed (all values are available).

• For unprotected LNW70/LNW170, deleting a LAG group is denied if there is more than one member in LAG. All but one member port must be removed from the LAG before the LAG can be deleted.

• The aggregator’s MAC address is that of one of the member ports. LACP frames are sent with the member’s MAC address for source address (SA).

LAG rules for protected LNW170

The following lists some rules for link aggregation on protected LNW170 circuit packs:

• Applies to the LNW170 in Switched mode only in any function or growth group. Uses LAN ports only.

• On protected LNW170 circuit packs, LAGs are created using the ed-eqpt command to set the slot protection state (prot_state) to protected (PROT).

  Prerequisites before provisioning the protection state to protected:

  For any type Main circuit pack:

  • One function/growth slot may be equipped with an LNW170, the other unequipped (AUTO).

  • No existing LAGs on the installed LNW170.

  • LAN Ports 3, 4, 7, 8 cannot be in a Virtual Switch.

  • Virtual LAN Tagging Mode (vlantagmd) must be set to SWITCHED.

  • After the ED-EQPT prot_state=PROT is accepted on the equipped slot then the AUTO slot “expects” an LNW170 (any other pack inserted causes “CP not allowed” alarm) and vlantagmd, eccmode, enetmd, taudit, and VCG parameters from ERATE, MAC, STGRP, VCG, VCGTRIB, VLAN, and VRTSW are copied to that slot.

  In addition to the above, for VLF Main circuit packs, when both slots are already equipped with LNW170 circuit packs.

  • No existing LAGs on either of the installed LNW170s.

  • Only the target slot can have cross-connections or Virtual Switches.

  • LAN Ports 3, 4, 7, 8 on either circuit pack cannot be in a Virtual Switch. Any PTMs installed in ports 3, 4, 7, or 8 must be removed.

  • Virtual LAN Tagging Mode (vlantagmd) must be set to SWITCHED on both.

  • Ethernet Cross Connect Mode (eccmode) and Transmission Audit (taudit) must be set the same on both circuit packs.

  • Port Configuration (enetmd) settings must result in the same rates on same-numbered ports of both circuit packs. For example, GT_FX and FT_FX are not compatible.

• When the command is accepted to change the Slot Protection State to protected (PROT):

  • A fixed number of the following four LAG groups consisting of ports on each circuit pack are automatically created: LAG1: fn-1-1, fn-2-1; LAG2: fn-1-2, fn-2-2; LAG3: fn-1-5, fn-2-5; LAG4: fn-1-6, fn-2-6. External LAN ports 3, 4, 7, and 8 are unused.

  • The pack targeted by the command provides Lead Ports for each LAG and becomes the Active-WAN circuit pack. It transfers memberships and services (VLAN’s, Virtual Switch, ERATE services, static MAC entries, etc.) from the founding members (leadports) to its LAGs. Only the LAGs are in a VS or VLAN, not the member ports. VCG parameters are copied from the Active-WAN pack to the companion circuit pack. The L2 parameters can be subsequently edited on the LAGs only.

  • A 1+1 EQPT protection group is created and cross-connections become equipment protected (now using the slot 1 AID).

• When in the protected mode (prot_state=PROT):

  • Ethernet command parameters specifying a slot AID, and others affecting VCG’s, applied on either slot affect both slots with the exception of the Port Configuration parameter (enetmd). Enetmd can be applied individually when the change is to the type (optical or electrical) and not the rate.

    The VLAN Tagging Mode (vlantagmd) cannot be changed from SWITCHED.

    Cross-connections are provisioned and reported using the slot 1 AID only.

  • Only one circuit pack is “in service,” meaning its VCG’s are selected by the mains. When both LAG members are normal, both circuit packs may be carrying LAN service. Because of this the circuit pack Switch States are not named “active” and “standby,” but “Active-WAN” and “Inactive-WAN,“

  • Applicable L1 parameters for member ports remain independent per port; they do not apply to the logical port. Flow control allowed (all values are available).

  • The aggregator’s MAC address is that of one of the member ports. LACP frames are sent with the member’s MAC address for source address (SA).

• On a protected LNW170, LAG's are deleted by changing the Slot Protection State to UNPROT (ed-eqpt prot_state=unprot). The command may address either slot.

  When the command is accepted to change the Slot Protection State to UNPROT:

  • The ports of the slot aid addressed to change the Slot Protection State inherit LAG L2 parameters, cross-connections become unprotected, and LAG's are deleted.

  • The other slot has no cross-connections or virtual switches and all provisioning is set to default (as if the pack were newly inserted). PM counters are reset.

  • The protection group is deleted. For non-VLF Mains, the other slot reverts to “no CP allowed”.

• All LAG’s exist with member ports, but are not initially in a Virtual Switch. ENT-LAGRP is not used. No LAN ports exist outside a LAG. ED-LAGRP is only used to set parameters, not membership. ENT/ED-VRTSW is used on LAG’s, and VCG’s.

LAG definitions

The following lists some standard LAG definitions:

• LACPDU (Link Aggregation Control Protocol Data Units): Message type exchanged between protocol “participants”.

• Participant: Refers to the local (actor) or remote (partner) system participating in protocol exchanges.

• Conversation: A set of MAC frames transmitted from one end station to another, where all of the MAC frames form an ordered sequence, and where the communicating end stations require the ordering to be maintained among the set of MAC frames exchanged.

• Actor: The local entity in a Link Aggregation Control Protocol exchange.

• Partner: The remote entity in a Link Aggregation Control Protocol exchange.

• Hash: A function for determining assignment to, or distribution among, entities based on identifying information. For Link Aggregation, it is used to assign a conversation (defined by the hash type) to a particular link, to avoid misordering.

• LACP Activity: If set to Active, indicates a participant transmits periodically to detect and maintain the aggregate. If set to Passive, indicates the participant will participate in the protocol exchange if there is an active partner.

• LACP Timeout: Specifies the rate at which periodic transmissions of LACPDUs occur.

• Aggregator: Term used in IEEE Std 802.3™-2002 for the aggregation function of a Link Aggregation Group.