Understanding Multi-Chassis Link Aggregation Group (MLAG) 1

Understanding Multi-Chassis
Link Aggregation Group (MLAG)

Technology Brief
October 2018

Abstract
Multi-Chassis Link Aggregation Group (MLAG) allows two Ethernet links to be aggregated together to increase
speed and provide redundancy. With standard LAGs (IEEE 802.1AX), the aggregated links must be on the same
physical device, however MLAG have not the limitation. The MLAG feature allows links on two different switches to
pair with links on partner device. The partner device is unaware that it is paring with two different devices to form a
port channel.
Understanding Multi-Chassis Link Aggregation Group (MLAG)
Overview
Typically, network topology is N-tier design, it is
important to consider the bandwidth oversubscription
at every layer of Ethernet switching hierarchy. The
upstream bandwidth have to provide adequate
bandwidth for those downstream link. For enterprise,
such oversubscription was tolerable because their
application is not bandwidth intensive. They can use
Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) to prevent network
loops by blocking half of the link, even if reducing the
available bandwidth of the network by 50%. However,
the bandwidth’s requirement is a lot in datacenter, or
every endpoint’s applications have to communicate to
each other in flat network. STP is not a good idea
because it cannot optimize the maximum networking
utilization.
Multi-Chassis Link Aggregation Group (MLAG) allows
links that are physically connected to two D-Link
switches to appear as a single LACP port to the
endpoint. The endpoint can be a switch, server, or
others which are supported Link Aggregation (LACP)
feature.
The Concept of MLAG
Two MLAG switches is worked as single logical
switch. However, all of the two switches’ features are
configured independently. Figure 1 is the concept of
MLAG
Figure1: The Concept of MLAG
Peer Switches
The peer switch is one of a pair of switch that is
connected to another switch via MLAG. The
maximum peer switch is 2. In figure 1, Switch_A and
Switch_B are peer switches
Peer Link
2
The peer link is used to synchronize states between
the physical ports of two peer switches. In figure1, the
connection between Port 28 of Switch_A and Port 28
of Switch_B is Peer Link.*1
Domain ID
The same MLAG domain is to identify each set of
MLAG logic switch. The MLAG Hello message
between peer switch is worked in the same domain
ID. In figure 1, Switch_A and Switch _B are
configured as the same MLAG domain 1
Device ID
It is a unique number to identify the different MLAG
switches in same domain. In figure 1, the device ID 1
is Switch_A, Switch_B is device ID 2.
Hello Message
The Hello message is to be used look for neighbor
switch and keep alive periodically. In figure1, the
Hello message is sent between Port 28 of Switch_A
and Port 28 of Switch_B.
Member Port
MLAG member ports are interfaces that belong to the
MLAG switch. In figure 1, Port1 of Switch_A and Port
1 of Switch_B are MLAG member port.
Partner Device
The partner device is connected to both the peer
switches using standard LACP protocol. In figure 1,
Switch_C is partner device.
Notices:
One of following conditions is reached, the MLAG
cannot be established. The users have to correct the
configuration.
A. The Domain ID is different between peer
switches
B. The Device ID is same between peer
switch
C. Hello message is different between peer
switches
Understanding Multi-Chassis Link Aggregation Group (MLAG)
Scenarios: Multihoming
Not only data center, but also multihoming is required
MLAG.
In order to ensure the reliability. The switch have to
consider the networking redundancy. STP can be
achieved to prevent loop, but it will be wasting a lot of
bandwidth resources.
MLAG is a good solution for it. The MLAG peer switch
can perform load balancing when two peer switches
are alive. If one of peer switches is failed, the traffic
3
can be quickly switched to another peer switch to
ensure traffic normally.
Conclusion
MLAG is not like physical stacking that all traffic have
to perform to Master unit. Any devices, ex: server,
switch, firewall and more, just need to support LACP
feature connected to MLAG peer switch. They can
take the advantage of high reliability and high
performance.
Understanding Multi-Chassis Link Aggregation Group (MLAG) 4

Configuration Example
The following example guide you how to apply MLAG on D-Link switch

[Topology]

[Configuration at left MLAG peer switch: Switch_A]

config t

mlag

mlag domain 10

mlag peer-link 1/0/27

mlag hello-interval 5

interface range ethernet 1/0/1-1/0/2

channel-group 10 m active

exit

interface range ethernet 1/0/23-1/0/24

channel-group 20 m passive

exit

[Configuration at right MLAG peer switch: Swtich_B]

config t

mlag
Understanding Multi-Chassis Link Aggregation Group (MLAG) 5

mlag domain 10

mlag hello-interval 5

mlag device-id 2

mlag peer-link 2/0/27

interface range ethernet 2/0/1-2/0/2

channel-group 10 m active

exit

interface range ethernet 2/0/23-2/0/24

channel-group 20 m passive

exit

[Configuration at partner device: Swtich_C, Switch_D]

create link_aggregation group_id 1 type lacp

config link_aggregation group_id 1 master_port 21 ports 21-22 state enable

config lacp_port 21-22 mode active

[Check MLAG status]

Switch#show mlag

MLAG Mode : Enable

MLAG Version : 1.0

MLAG Hello Interval :5

MLAG Domain : 10

MLAG Status : Active

MAC Address : 78-32-1B-DF-82-00

MLAG Device ID :1

MLAG Peer-link : 27

Neighbor Status : Active

MAC Address : 6C-72-20-3B-8C-00

Understanding Multi-Chassis Link Aggregation Group (MLAG) 6

MLAG Device ID :2

MLAG Peer-link : 27

Switch#show mlag-group

Flag:

S - Port is requesting Slow LACPDUs F - Port is requesting fast LACPDU

A - Port is in active mode P - Port is in passive mode

LACP state:

bndl: Port is attached to an aggregator and bundled with other ports.

hot-sby: Port is in a hot-standby state.

down: Port is down.

[LA GROUP-10]

Algorithm : src-dst-mac

Group Status : Up

Actor System ID : 78-32-1B-DF-82-00

Partner System ID : 00-0B-01-02-05-6C

Port Information

DEVICE ID Port Flags LACP state

---------- -------- -------- ----------

1 1 FA bndl

1 2 FA down

2 1 FA bndl

2 2 FA down

[LA GROUP-20]

Algorithm : src-dst-mac

Group Status : Up

Actor System ID : 78-32-1B-DF-82-00

Partner System ID : F0-7D-68-87-BC-95

Port Information
Understanding Multi-Chassis Link Aggregation Group (MLAG) 7

DEVICE ID Port Flags LACP state

---------- -------- -------- ----------

1 23 FP bndl

1 24 FP down

2 23 FP bndl

2 24 FP down

[Testing Procedure]
Disabling Port 1 of Switch_A, and checking MLAG status

[Check MLAG status]

Switch#show mlag-group

Flag:

S - Port is requesting Slow LACPDUs F - Port is requesting fast LACPDU

A - Port is in active mode P - Port is in passive mode

LACP state:

bndl: Port is attached to an aggregator and bundled with other ports.

hot-sby: Port is in a hot-standby state.

down: Port is down.

[LA GROUP-10]

Algorithm : src-dst-mac
Understanding Multi-Chassis Link Aggregation Group (MLAG) 8

Group Status : Up

Actor System ID : 78-32-1B-DF-82-00

Partner System ID : 00-0B-01-02-05-6C

Port Information

DEVICE ID Port Flags LACP state

---------- -------- -------- ----------

1 1 FA down

1 2 FA down

2 1 FA bndl

2 2 FA down

[LA GROUP-20]

Algorithm : src-dst-mac

Group Status : Up

Actor System ID : 78-32-1B-DF-82-00

Partner System ID : F0-7D-68-87-BC-95

Port Information

DEVICE ID Port Flags LACP state

---------- -------- -------- ----------

1 23 FP bndl

1 24 FP down

2 23 FP bndl

2 24 FP down

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