Load sharing modes for link aggregation groups

In a link aggregation group, traffic can be load shared across the Selected ports based on any of the following modes:

• Per-flow load sharing—Distributes traffic on a per-flow basis. The load sharing mode classifies packets into flows and forwards packets of the same flow on the same link. The load sharing mode can use the following criteria individually or in combination:

  • MPLS label.

  • Source or destination IP address.

  • Source or destination MAC address.

  • Source or destination port number.

  • Protocol number.

• Bandwidth usage-based load sharing—Distributes a data flow to the Selected port that has the lowest bandwidth usage when the first packet of that data flow arrives. In this mode, each flow is identified by an IP five-tuple (source and destination IP addresses, source and destination ports, and protocol). For packets that do not contain the IP five-tuple, the default load sharing mode applies.

• Per-packet load sharing—Distributes traffic on a per-packet basis.