Eth-Trunk, iStack, and CSS

Page 2 Copyright © 2020 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.
 Foreword
• As services develop and the campus network scale expands, users have increasingly demanding
requirements on network bandwidth and reliability. Traditional solutions improve network
bandwidth by upgrading devices and implement high reliability by deploying redundant links
and using the Spanning Tree Protocol (STP), leading to low flexibility, time-consuming
troubleshooting, and complex configuration.
• This chapter describes how to use Eth-Trunk, intelligent stack (iStack), and cluster switch
system (CSS) technologies to improve network bandwidth and reliability.

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 Objectives
 On completion of this course, you will be able to:
▫ Understand the functions of link aggregation.

▫ Understand the link aggregation types.

▫ Understand the link aggregation negotiation process in Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP)
mode.
▫ Understand the advantages and principles of iStack and CSS.

▫ Understand the common applications and networking of link aggregation and stacking technologies.

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 Contents
1. Network Reliability Requirements
2. Principle and Configuration of Link Aggregation
3. Overview of iStack and CSS

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 Network Reliability
• Network reliability refers to the capability of ensuring nonstop network services when a single
point or multiple points of failure occur on a device or link.
• Network reliability can be implemented at the card, device, and link levels.
Highly reliable network

iStack

Link aggregation Link aggregation

Network A Network B

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 Card Reliability (1)
• A modular switch consists of a chassis, power modules, fan modules, main processing
units (MPUs), switch fabric units (SFUs), and line processing units (LPUs).
MPU
• Chassis: provides slots for various cards and modules to implement inter-card

LPU communication.

• Power module: power supply system of the device

SFU • Fan module: heat dissipation system

• MPU: responsible for the control plane and management plane of the entire system.
LPU • SFU: responsible for the data plane of the entire system. The data plane provides high-
speed non-blocking data channels for data switching between service modules.

Mounting • LPU: provides data forwarding functions on a physical device and provides optical and
bracket electrical interfaces of different rates.
Power module

Front view of the

S12700E-8 chassis

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 Card Reliability (2)
The failure of a single MPU
does not affect the normal • For example, the S12700E-8 provides eight
operation of the control
MPU
platform. LPU slots, four SFU slots, two MPU slots, six
power module slots, and four fan module slots.
LPU If some SFUs are
faulty, the data • A modular switch can be configured with
plane can still
forward data multiple MPUs and SFUs to ensure device
SFU properly.
reliability. If an SFU or MPU in a single slot is
faulty, the switch can still run properly.
LPU
• After an LPU of a modular switch is damaged,
If the LPU is faulty,
the interfaces on the interfaces on the LPU cannot forward data.
LPU are affected.

Front view of the

S12700E-8 chassis

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 Device Reliability
No backup Master/Backup mode

R Root port
Network Network
A Alternative port

If the aggregation switch

is faulty, traffic from the
downstream switch When the root port
Aggregation Aggregation
cannot be forwarded. fails, the alternative
switch switch
port continues to
forward packets.
R A

Access switch Access switch STP

On a network with the device redundancy design, a downstream switch is

On a network without the device redundancy design, a downstream dual-homed to two upstream switches. The links work in active/backup
switch uses a single uplink. If the upstream switch or its interfaces fail, mode. If the active link or upstream switch fails, traffic is switched to the
all downstream networks are interrupted. backup link and forwarded through the backup device.

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 Link Reliability
STP STP
To improve link
Aggregation Aggregation reliability, a new link
switch switch will be added. This link
is blocked by STP and
functions as a backup
link.
Access switch Access switch

• To ensure link reliability, deploy multiple physical links between devices. To prevent loops, configure STP to ensure
that traffic is forwarded on only one link, and other links function as backup links.

Page 10 Copyright © 2020 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.
 Contents
1. Network Reliability Requirements
2. Principle and Configuration of Link Aggregation
▪ Principle

▫ Manual Mode

▫ LACP Mode

▫ Typical Application Scenarios

▫ Configuration Example

3. Overview of iStack and CSS

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 Increasing Link Bandwidth
• When multiple links exist between devices, traffic is forwarded on only one link due to STP. In
this case, the inter-device link bandwidth remains unchanged.
F Interface that
forwards traffic
B Interface blocked due to STP

SW1 SW2
F F
STP
root F B
bridge F B

F B

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 Eth-Trunk
• Ethernet link aggregation, also called Eth-Trunk, bundles multiple physical links into a logical
link to increase link bandwidth, without having to upgrade hardware.

F Traffic forwarding interface

SW1 SW2
F F

F F

F F

F F

Eth-Trunk

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 Basic Concepts of Eth-Trunk
• A link aggregation group (LAG) is a logical link formed by bundling several
links. Each LAG has one logical interface, known as an LAG interface or
Eth-Trunk interface.
Eth-Trunk interface
SW1 • Member interface and member link: Physical interfaces that constitute an
S S U U Eth-Trunk interface are called member interfaces, and the link corresponding
to a member interface is known as a member link.
Member • Active interface and active link: An active interface is also called a selected
link interface and is a member interface that participates in data forwarding. The
Member
link corresponding to an active interface is called an active link.
interface
LAG • Inactive interface and inactive link: An inactive interface is also called an
unselected interface and is a member interface that does not participate in
data forwarding. A link corresponding to an inactive interface is referred to as
S S U U an inactive link.
SW2 • Link aggregation mode: Based on whether the Link Aggregation Control
Eth-Trunk interface
Protocol (LACP) is enabled, link aggregation can be classified into manual
mode and LACP mode.
• Other concepts: upper and lower thresholds for the number of active
S Active interface interfaces
U Inactive interface

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 Contents
1. Network Reliability Requirements
2. Principle and Configuration of Link Aggregation
▫ Principle

▪ Manual Mode

▫ LACP Mode

▫ Typical Application Scenarios

▫ Configuration Example

3. Overview of iStack and CSS

Page 15 Copyright © 2020 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.
 Manual Mode

S Active interface
SW1 SW2
S S

S S

S S

S S

Eth-Trunk

LACP-incapable old or low-end devices

• Manual mode: An Eth-Trunk is manually created, and its member interfaces are manually configured. LACP is not used for
negotiation between the two systems.
• In most cases, all links are active links. In this mode, all active links forward data and evenly share traffic. If an active link is faulty,
the LAG automatically evenly shares traffic among the remaining active links.
• If one of the devices at both ends of an LAG does not support LACP, you can use the manual mode.

Page 16 Copyright © 2020 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.
 Defects of the Manual Mode (1)

S Active interface
SW1 SW2

Eth-Trunk interface
S S

Eth-Trunk
interface
S S

S S

S
Eth-Trunk in manual
mode

SW3

• To ensure that the Eth-Trunk works properly, ensure that the peer interfaces of all member interfaces in the Eth-Trunk meet the
following requirements:
▫ The peer interfaces reside on the same device.
▫ The peer interfaces are added to the same Eth-Trunk.
• In manual mode, devices do not exchange packets. Therefore, the configuration needs to be manually confirmed.

Page 17 Copyright © 2020 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.
 Defects of the Manual Mode (2)

S Active interface

F Faulty interface

SW1 SW2
S S

S S

S S

S F

Eth-Trunk
Interface in Up state
but failing to forward
packets

• In manual mode, the device can determine whether the peer interface is working properly based only on the physical
layer status.

Page 18 Copyright © 2020 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.
 Contents
1. Network Reliability Requirements
2. Principle and Configuration of Link Aggregation
▫ Principle

▫ Manual Mode

▪ LACP Mode

▫ Typical Application Scenarios

▫ Configuration Example

3. Overview of iStack and CSS

Page 19 Copyright © 2020 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.
 Packet Maximum Number of Active Link
Load Balancing
Introduction Active Interfaces Election

LACPDU
LACPDU

SW1 SW2
S S
Eth-Trunk in LACP mode

Eth-Trunk

Eth-Trunk
interface

interface
S S

S S

S S

LACPDU
Device priority
MAC address
Interface priority
Interface number
...

• LACP mode: A link aggregation mode that uses the LACP protocol. Devices exchange Link Aggregation Control Protocol Data
Units (LACPDUs) to ensure that the peer interfaces are member interfaces that belong to the same Eth-Trunk and are on the same
device.
• An LACPDU contains the device priority, MAC address, interface priority, and interface number.

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 Packet Maximum Number of Active Link
Load Balancing
Introduction Active Interfaces Election

System Priority
• In LACP mode, the number of active interfaces selected by devices at both ends must be consistent; otherwise, the
Eth-Trunk cannot be set up. In this case, configure one end as the Actor. Then the other end selects active interfaces
according to the Actor.
• The Actor is determined based on the LACP system priority. A smaller value indicates a higher priority.
SW1 Eth-Trunk in LACP mode SW2
S S

Eth-Trunk
Eth-Trunk

interface
S S
interface

S S

S S

LACPDU
S Active interface Device priority By default, the LACP system priority is 32768. A
MAC address
smaller value indicates a higher priority. Generally,
LACPDU the default value is used. When the priorities are the
Interface priority
same, LACP selects the Actor by comparing the
Interface number MAC addresses. A smaller MAC address indicates a
... higher priority.

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 Packet Maximum Number of Active Link
Load Balancing
Introduction Active Interfaces Election

Interface Priority
• After the Actor is selected, both devices select active interfaces based on the interface priorities of the Actor. A
smaller LACP interface priority value indicates a higher priority.

SW1 Eth-Trunk in LACP mode SW2

S S
Eth-Trunk

Eth-Trunk
interface

interface
S S

S S

S S

LACPDU
S Active interface Device priority By default, the LACP interface priority of an
MAC address interface is 32768. A smaller value indicates a higher
LACPDU priority. Generally, the default value is used. When
Interface priority
the priorities are the same, LACP selects active
Interface number interfaces based on interface numbers. A smaller
... interface number indicates a higher priority.

Page 22 Copyright © 2020 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.
 Packet Maximum Number of Active Link
Load Balancing
Introduction Active Interfaces Election

Maximum Number of Active Interfaces (1)

• In LACP mode, the maximum number of active interfaces can be configured. When the number of member interfaces exceeds the
maximum number of active interfaces, the interfaces with higher priorities and smaller interface numbers are selected as active
interfaces, and the other interfaces function as backup interfaces (inactive interfaces). In addition, the links corresponding to active
interfaces become active links, and the links corresponding to inactive interfaces become inactive links. The switch sends and
receives packets only through active interfaces.

SW1 Eth-Trunk in LACP mode SW2

Eth-Trunk 1 1

Eth-Trunk
interface

interface
2 2

3 3

4 4

Active interface
Inactive interface

Active link
Inactive link

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 Packet Maximum Number of Active Link
Load Balancing
Introduction Active Interfaces Election

Maximum Number of Active Interfaces (2)

• If an active link fails, an inactive link with the highest priority (based on the interface priority and interface number) is selected to
replace the faulty link. This ensures that the overall bandwidth does not change and services are not interrupted.

SW1 Eth-Trunk in LACP mode SW2

1 1

Eth-Trunk
Eth-Trunk

interface
interface
2 2

3 3

4 4

Active interface
Inactive interface

Active link

Inactive link
Faulty link

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 Packet Maximum Number of Active Link
Load Balancing
Introduction Active Interfaces Election

Active Link Election (1)

Bridge MAC: Bridge MAC:

4c1f-cc58-6d64 4c1f-cc58-6d65
SW1 SW2 • An Eth-Trunk in LACP mode is set up between SW1
1 1
and SW2. The maximum number of active interfaces
2 2
is set to 2 on SW1 and SW2.
3 3

4 4 • SW1 with a higher priority is elected as the Actor

through LACPDUs.
LACPDU

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 Packet Maximum Number of Active Link
Load Balancing
Introduction Active Interfaces Election

Active Link Election (2)

Bridge MAC: Bridge MAC:

4c1f-cc58-6d64 4c1f-cc58-6d65
SW1 SW2
1 1 • SW1 compares the interface priorities and interface numbers to
2 2 select active interfaces. Under the same interface priority,
3 3
interfaces 1 and 2 have smaller interface numbers and are
4 4
elected as active interfaces.

Active interface
Inactive interface

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 Packet Maximum Number of Active Link
Load Balancing
Introduction Active Interfaces Election

Active Link Election (3)

Bridge MAC: Bridge MAC:

4c1f-cc58-6d64 4c1f-cc58-6d65
SW1 SW2
1 1

2 2

3 3
• SW1 notifies the peer end of the elected active interfaces
4 4 through LACPDUs.

LACPDU
Active interface

Inactive interface

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 Packet Maximum Number of Active Link
Load Balancing
Introduction Active Interfaces Election

Active Link Election (4)

Bridge MAC: Bridge MAC:

4c1f-cc58-6d64 4c1f-cc58-6d65
SW1 SW2
1 1
• SW2 determines the local active interfaces based on the
2 2

3 3 election result of SW1 and the corresponding links become

4 4 active links.
• In this way, the election of active links is complete.

LACPDU
Active interface

Inactive interface

Active link

Inactive link

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 Packet Maximum Number of Active Link
Load Balancing
Introduction Active Interfaces Election

Load Balancing
Per-packet load balancing Per-flow load balancing
S Active interface S Active interface

SW1 SW2 SW1 SW2

S 1 S S S
4 3 2 1 S 2 S 3 1 2 4
S S
S 4 S
S S
S 3 S
S S

Eth-Trunk Eth-Trunk

When an Eth-Trunk is used to forward data, there are multiple Load balancing based on flows is recommended for an Eth-
physical links between devices at both ends of the Eth-Trunk. If Trunk. In this mode, a flow is load balanced to the same link.
data frames are forwarded on different links, data frames may This ensures that frames of the same flow are transmitted over
arrive at the peer end in a different order in which they were the same physical link and implements load balancing among
transmitted, resulting in out-of-order packets. physical links in an Eth-Trunk.

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 Packet Maximum Number of Active Link
Load Balancing
Introduction Active Interfaces Election

Load Balancing Mode

• An Eth-Trunk can load balance traffic based on IP addresses or MAC addresses of packets. You can configure different load balancing modes (valid
locally only for outgoing packets) to distribute data flows to different member interfaces.
• Traffic can be load balanced based on: source IP address, source MAC address, destination IP address, destination MAC address, source and
destination IP addresses, and source and destination MAC addresses.
• For actual services, you need to configure a proper load balancing mode based on traffic characteristics. If a service traffic parameter changes
frequently, it is easier to load balance traffic if you use the load balancing mode based on this frequently-changing parameter.

Proper load balancing algorithm Improper load balancing algorithm

SW1 SW2 SW1 SW2

S S S S

S S S S

S S S S
Same source and destination S S Same source and destination S S
MAC addresses but different MAC addresses but different
source and destination IP Eth-Trunk source and destination IP Eth-Trunk
addresses addresses
Source and destination IP Source and destination MAC
address mode address mode

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 Contents
1. Network Reliability Requirements
2. Principle and Configuration of Link Aggregation
▫ Principle

▫ Manual Mode

▫ LACP Mode

▪ Typical Application Scenarios

▫ Configuration Example

3. Overview of iStack and CSS

Page 31 Copyright © 2020 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.
 Typical Application Scenario (1)
Between switches Between the switch and server

Core switch
Network

Eth-Trunk

Aggregation
switch Access switch

Eth-Trunk Eth-Trunk

Access switch Server

To ensure the bandwidth and reliability of links between switches, To improve the access bandwidth and reliability of the server, bind
deploy multiple physical links between switches and add them to two or more physical NICs into a NIC group and establish an Eth-
an Eth-Trunk. Trunk with the switch.

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 Typical Application Scenario (2)
Between a switch and stack Heartbeat link of firewalls in hot standby mode
Stacking cable
Aggregation
switch

Eth-Trunk
Eth-Trunk

Access switch

Hot standby

If two firewalls are deployed in hot standby mode, the

heartbeat link is used to detect the status of the peer device. To
An iStack is a logical device consisting of two switches. A prevent status detection errors caused by single-interface or
switch can be connected to the iStack through an Eth-Trunk to single-link faults, you can create an Eth-Trunk and use it as
form a highly reliable loop-free network. the heartbeat link for status detection.

Page 33 Copyright © 2020 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.
 Contents
1. Network Reliability Requirements
2. Principle and Configuration of Link Aggregation
▫ Principle

▫ Manual Mode

▫ LACP Mode

▫ Typical Application Scenarios

▪ Configuration Example

3. Overview of iStack and CSS

Page 34 Copyright © 2020 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.
 Configuration Commands (1)
1. Create an Eth-Trunk.

[Huawei] interface eth-trunk trunk-id

An Eth-Trunk interface is created, and the Eth-Trunk interface view is displayed.

2. Configure a link aggregation mode.

[Huawei-Eth-Trunk1] mode {lacp | manual load-balance }

To enable the LACP mode, run mode lacp. To enable the manual mode, run mode manual load-balance.
Note: The link aggregation modes at both ends must be the same.

3. Add an interface to the Eth-Trunk (Ethernet interface view).

[Huawei-GigabitEthernet0/0/1] eth-trunk trunk-id

In the interface view, the interface is added to the Eth-Trunk.

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 Configuration Commands (2)
4. Add an interface to the Eth-Trunk (Eth-Trunk view).

[Huawei-Eth-Trunk1] trunkport interface-type { interface-number}

In the Eth-Trunk view, the interface is added to the Eth-Trunk. You can use either of the preceding commands to add an
interface to an Eth-Trunk.
5. Enable interfaces at different rates to join the same Eth-Trunk interface.

[Huawei-Eth-Trunk1] mixed-rate link enable

By default, interfaces at different rates are not allowed to join the same Eth-Trunk, and only interfaces at the same rate can be
added to the same Eth-Trunk.
6. Configure the LACP system priority.

[Huawei] lacp priority priority

A smaller priority value indicates a higher LACP system priority. By default, the LACP priority is 32768.

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 Configuration Commands (3)
7. Configure the LACP interface priority.

[Huawei-GigabitEthernet0/0/1] lacp priority priority

The LACP interface priority is set in the interface view. By default, the LACP interface priority is 32768. A smaller
priority value indicates a higher LACP interface priority.
You can run this command only after an interface is added to the Eth-Trunk.
8. Configure the maximum number of active interfaces.

[Huawei-Eth-Trunk1] max active-linknumber {number}

Ensure that the maximum number of active interfaces on the local end is the same as that on the peer end. The maximum
number of active interfaces can be configured only in LACP mode.

9. Configure the minimum number of active interfaces.

[Huawei-Eth-Trunk1] least active-linknumber {number}

The minimum number of active interfaces can be different on the local end and peer end and can be configured in both manual
and LACP modes.
The minimum number of active interfaces is configured to ensure the minimum bandwidth. When the number of active links is
smaller than the lower threshold, the Eth-Trunk interface goes down.

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 Example for Configuring an Eth-Trunk in Manual
Mode
SW1 configuration:
Eth-Trunk [SW1] interface eth-trunk 1
GE0/0/1 GE0/0/1 [SW1-Eth-Trunk1] trunkport gigabitethernet 0/0/1 to 0/0/2
GE0/0/2 GE0/0/2 [SW1-Eth-Trunk1] port link-type trunk
[SW1-Eth-Trunk1] port trunk allow-pass vlan 10 20
SW1 SW2

• Requirement description:
SW2 configuration:
▫ SW1 and SW2 are connected to the networks of VLAN 10 and
VLAN 20. [SW2] interface eth-trunk 1
[SW2-Eth-Trunk1] trunkport gigabitethernet 0/0/1 to 0/0/2
▫ SW1 and SW2 are connected through two Ethernet links. To provide [SW2-Eth-Trunk1] port link-type trunk
[SW2-Eth-Trunk1] port trunk allow-pass vlan 10 20
link redundancy and enhance transmission reliability, configure an
Eth-Trunk in manual mode between SW1 and SW2.

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 Example for Configuring an Eth-Trunk in LACP
Mode (1)

Eth-Trunk SW1 configuration:

GE0/0/1 GE0/0/1
GE0/0/2 GE0/0/2 [SW1] interface eth-trunk 1
GE0/0/3 GE0/0/3
[SW1-Eth-Trunk1] mode lacp
SW1 SW2
[SW1-Eth-Trunk1] max active-linknumber 2
• Requirement description: [SW1-Eth-Trunk1] trunkport gigabitethernet 0/0/1 to 0/0/3
▫ SW1 and SW2 are connected to the networks of VLAN 10 and [SW1-Eth-Trunk1] port link-type trunk
VLAN 20. [SW1-Eth-Trunk1] port trunk allow-pass vlan 10 20

▫ SW1 and SW2 are connected through three Ethernet links. To [SW1-Eth-Trunk1] quit

provide link redundancy and enhance transmission reliability, [SW1] lacp priority 30000

configure an Eth-Trunk in LACP mode between SW1 and SW2,

manually adjust the priority to configure SW1 as the Actor, and set
the maximum number of active interfaces to 2. The other link
functions as the backup link.

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 Example for Configuring an Eth-Trunk in LACP
Mode (2)

Eth-Trunk SW1 configuration:

GE0/0/1 GE0/0/1
GE0/0/2 GE0/0/2 [SW2] interface eth-trunk 1
GE0/0/3 GE0/0/3
[SW2-Eth-Trunk1] mode lacp
SW1 SW2
[SW2-Eth-Trunk1] max active-linknumber 2
• Requirement description: [SW2-Eth-Trunk1] trunkport gigabitethernet 0/0/1 to 0/0/3
▫ SW1 and SW2 are connected to the networks of VLAN 10 and [SW2-Eth-Trunk1] port link-type trunk
VLAN 20. [SW2-Eth-Trunk1] port trunk allow-pass vlan 10 20
[SW2-Eth-Trunk1] quit
▫ SW1 and SW2 are connected through three Ethernet links. To
provide link redundancy and enhance transmission reliability,
configure an Eth-Trunk in LACP mode between SW1 and SW2,
manually adjust the priority to configure SW1 as the Actor, and set
the maximum number of active interfaces to 2. The other link
functions as the backup link.

Page 40 Copyright © 2020 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.
 Contents
1. Network Reliability Requirements
2. Principle and Configuration of Link Aggregation
3. Overview of iStack and CSS

Page 41 Copyright © 2020 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.
 Introduction to iStack and CSS
iStack CSS

Stacking cable Stack CSS link

CSS

Equivalent to
Equivalent to Link aggregation
Link aggregation

• iStack: Multiple iStack-capable switches are connected using stacking cables to form a logical switch that participates in data
forwarding.
• Cluster switch system (CSS): Two CSS-capable switches are bundled into one logical switch.

• A CSS consists of only two switches. Generally, modular switches support CSS, and fixed switches support iStack.

Page 42 Copyright © 2020 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.
 Advantages of iStack and CSS
Eth-Trunk
• One logical device simplifies O&M
and facilitates management.
• If a physical device fails, the other
device can take over the forwarding
and control functions, preventing
CSS single points of failure.

Equivalent to
• Inter-device link aggregation is
implemented on a loop-free physical
network, so STP does not need to be
iStack deployed.
• All links in the Eth-Trunk are used,
Physical forms of CSS and iStack Logical forms of CSS and iStack and the link usage is 100%.

• Many-to-one virtualization: Switches can be virtualized into one logical switch (CSS) that has a unified control plane for unified management.

• Unified forwarding plane: Physical switches in a CSS use a unified forwarding plane, and share and synchronize forwarding information in real time.

• Inter-device link aggregation: Links between physical switches are aggregated into a single Eth-Trunk interface to interconnect with downstream devices.

Page 43 Copyright © 2020 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.
 Application (1)
Extending the bandwidth and implementing redundancy
Extending the port quantity
backup
iStack link Eth-Trunk
iStack link
Aggregation layer

Access
layer
iStack
Access layer

iStack

• When the port density of a switch cannot meet the access requirements, • To increase the uplink bandwidth, add new switches to set up an iStack
add new switches to set up an iStack to increase the number of ports. and add multiple physical links of the member switches to an Eth-
Trunk. This increases the uplink bandwidth, implements inter-device
backup and inter-device link redundancy, and improves reliability.

Page 44 Copyright © 2020 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.
 Application (2)
CSS link Eth-Trunk

MSTP+VRRP

CSS
Aggregation
layer

Access layer

• Two devices form a CSS and are virtualized into a single logical device. This simplified network does not require
Multiple Spanning Tree Protocol (MSTP) or Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol (VRRP), so network configuration
is much simpler. Additionally, inter-device link aggregation speeds up network convergence and improves network
reliability.
Page 45 Copyright © 2020 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.
 Recommended Architecture
Network

iStack and CSS link

Core layer
Eth-Trunk
• Core switches set up a CSS and use Eth-Trunks to connect to uplink
CSS
and downlink devices, building a highly reliable and loop-free
network.

Aggregation layer
• Aggregation switches set up an iStack and use Eth-Trunks to connect
iStack
to uplink and downlink devices, building a highly reliable loop-free
network.

Access layer
• Access devices that are geographically close to each other (such as
access switches in a building) are virtualized into one logical device
using iStack. This adds interfaces and simplifies management.
iStack iStack
• An Eth-Trunk is used to connect to the aggregation layer. The logical
network architecture is simple, and STP and VRRP are not required.
This networking offers high reliability, high uplink bandwidth, and fast
convergence.

Page 46 Copyright © 2020 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.
 Quiz
1. What are the differences between per-packet load balancing and per-flow load balancing?
2. How does an Actor be elected in LACP mode?
3. What are the advantages of CSS and iStack?

Page 47 Copyright © 2020 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.
 Summary
• Link aggregation can be used to improve link reliability, utilization, and bandwidth. Link
aggregation can be classified into static and LACP aggregation based on the aggregation mode.
• LACP uses packet negotiation to implement backup for active links. When a link fails, the
backup link is elected as the active link to forward packets.
• To ensure the sequence in which packets arrive, link aggregation uses per-flow load balancing.

• iStack and CSS simplify network management and network structure, and improve network
reliability.

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