Configure APA by using SAM or by editing the configuration files. Because there are only two files to configure (three counting netconf), I recommend manually editing the configuration. The two files are hp_apaconf and hp_apaportconf . Both reside in /etc/rc.config.d.
In preparing an APA configuration, special attention should be given to the load balancing policy, protocol settings, and lan selections.
Determine the Load Balancing Policy
Use LB_MAC based load balancing for Server-to-Switch configurations. This algorithm uses a portion of the MAC address to determine how data is distributed across physical ports. This is the default and most common algorithm for all link aggregates.
Use LB_IP for Server-to-Router configurations. Be careful with this option because many routers do not support APA. Additionally, if switches are used between the server and the router expect additional complexity.
Use LB_PORT for server-to-server configurations. LB_PORT uses the TCP/UDP protocol to distribute traffic across the aggregate ports. If you don’t have a capable router or switch, this is your only option.
Determine the Protocol Settings
Your choice is determined by the capabilities of the switch, router, or server. APA is not supported on all routers and switches. Check with you networking group to determine your switch/router’s APA capabilities. The switch and server must have matching protocols.
* FEC_AUTO – Cisco’s proprietary Fast EtherChannel (FEC/PAgP) technology). This is NOT standard for all CISCO switches.
* lACP_AUTO – IEEE 802.2ad link aggregation control protocol (LACP)
* MANUAL configured port trunks (Default)
Determine which lans to configure
Link Speeds and Duplex settings should be the same.
ioscan -fnkC lan ## to determine available lans
each lan used in the aggregate must be disabled before starting APA.
# ifconfig lan(n) down
# ifconfig lan(n) unplumb
EXAMPLES: Configure lans 1,2 and 3 into an aggregate called lan900 for each of the three configuration modes. Where values are not entered, assume the defaults.
For MANUAL configuration:
Edit the hp_apaconf file
HP_APA_INTERFACE_NAME[0]=lan900
HP_APA_LOAD_BALANCE_MODE[0]=LB_MAC
HP_APA_MANUAL_LA[0]=”1,2,3″ <— lans 1, 2 and 3
Edit the hp_apaportconf file
HP_APAPORT_INTERFACE_NAME[0]=lan1
HP_APAPORT_CONFIG_MODE[0]=MANUAL
HP_APAPORT_INTERFACE_NAME[1]=lan2
HP_APAPORT_CONFIG_MODE[1]=MANUAL
HP_APAPORT_INTERFACE_NAME[2]=lan3
HP_APAPORT_CONFIG_MODE[2]=MANUAL
FEC_AUTO Port Configuration Mode
Edit hp_apaconf
HP_APA_INTERFACE_NAME[0]=lan900
HP_APA_LOAD_BALANCE_MODE[0]=LB_MAC
HP_APA_GROUP_CAPABILITY[0]=900 <– Any integer value pointing to the physical ports in the hp_apaportconf
Edit hp_apaportconf
HP_APAPORT_INTERFACE_NAME[0]=lan1
HP_APAPORT_GROUP_CAPABILITY[0]=900 <— must be the same value as in hp_apaconf
HP_APAPORT_CONFIG_MODE[0]=FEC_AUTO
HP_APAPORT_INTERFACE_NAME[1]=lan2
HP_APAPORT_GROUP_CAPABILITY[1]=900
HP_APAPORT_CONFIG_MODE[1]=FEC_AUTO
HP_APAPORT_INTERFACE_NAME[2]=lan3
HP_APAPORT_GROUP_CAPABILITY[2]=900
HP_APAPORT_CONFIG_MODE[2]=FEC_AUTO
LACP_AUTO Port Configuration Mode
Edit hp_apaconf
HP_APA_INTERFACE_NAME[0]=lan900
HP_APA_LOAD_BALANCE_MODE[0]=LB_MAC
HP_APA_KEY[0]=900 <— an integer value pointing to the physical ports in hp_apaportconf
Edit hp_apaportconf
HP_APAPORT_INTERFACE_NAME[0]=lan1
HP_APAPORT_KEY[0]=900 < — must be the same value as HP_APA_KEY in hp_apaconf
HP_APAPORT_CONFIG_MODE[1]=LACP_AUTO
HP_APAPORT_INTERFACE_NAME[1]=lan2
HP_APAPORT_CONFIG_MODE[2]=LACP_AUTO
HP_APAPORT_INTERFACE_NAME[2]=lan3
To stop/start the new configuration (APA doesn’t require a reboot to take effect)
/sbin/init.d/hpapa stop
/sbin/init.d/hpapa start
Assign an ipaddress to lan900.
# ifconfig lan900 ipaddress netmask netmaskaddress
# ifconfig lan900 # # to check
# modify /etc/rc.config.d/netconf ##to make the ipaddress permanent
Verify the status of the link aggregate
* lanadmin -x -v 900 ## will show the number of ports, state, mode
* lanscan -v ## verify which link aggregates have been configured.
* lanadmin –x –p 2 900 ## verify the status of a particular port.
– See more at: http://serviceitdirect.com/blog/quick-guide-configure-link-aggregates-using-automatic-port-aggregation-apa#sthash.sOiQi1dp.dpuf