Is it true that link aggregation can work in both manual load balancing mode and static LACP mode?

Link aggregation is a technique that combines multiple network connections in parallel to increase throughput and provide redundancy in case one of the connections fails. It can operate in two modes: manual load balancing and static Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP).

In manual load balancing mode, the configuration is done manually by setting the aggregation parameters in the switch’s settings, allowing for optimized traffic distribution across the aggregated links based on factors such as source and destination addresses. This method can be beneficial in environments where precise control over traffic distribution is needed and when the network equipment does not support dynamic protocols.

On the other hand, static LACP is part of the IEEE 802.3ad standard that allows for dynamic configuration of link aggregation groups. In this mode, the devices participating in the link aggregation automatically negotiate which links to include in the aggregated group, providing an adaptive approach that can automatically respond to changes in the network topology.

Both methods enhance network performance and reliability by aggregating bandwidth while ensuring that if one link within the group fails, the remaining links can still manage the traffic effectively. Therefore, it is accurate to say that link aggregation can function in both manual load balancing mode and static LACP mode, as each serves different scenarios and requirements in network design and management.