A systems engineer is implementing high availability and link redundancy for a critical database host connected to two independent physical switches. The network architecture must support simultaneous active-active frame forwarding across both links for throughput aggregation while preventing Layer 2 loops, without utilizing vendor-proprietary physical stacking cables. Which TWO of the following configurations or technologies must be deployed together to achieve this redundancy design?
- Multi-Chassis Link Aggregation (MLAG / MC-LAG) enabled across the physical switchesAnswer
- Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP / IEEE 802.3ad) in active mode on the host network interfacesAnswer
- CConfiguring the host default gateway to point directly to the physical interface IP address of the primary switch
- DSetting Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) bridge priority to 65535 on both switches to establish dual root bridges
- EAssigning different native VLAN IDs to the interconnecting trunk ports on each switch
Answer
Multi-Chassis Link Aggregation (MLAG / MC-LAG) enabled across the physical switches AND Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP / IEEE 802.3ad) in active mode on the host network interfaces
To achieve active-active bandwidth aggregation and link-level failover across two separate switches without physical stacking, Multi-Chassis Link Aggregation (MLAG) must be configured on the switch pair so they appear as a single logical switch. Concurrently, the host must use Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP) in active mode to dynamically negotiate the multi-chassis aggregated link.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Multi-Chassis Link Aggregation and Dynamic NIC Teaming for High Availability