Would you like to learn how to configure link aggregation on Windows? This tutorial will show you how to configure NIC teaming on a computer running Windows server.

This tutorial will also show you how to configure link aggregation on a Cisco Switch.

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Tutorial - Link Aggregation on Cisco Switch

First, you need to perform the link aggregation configuration on the Network Switch.

In our example, we are going to teach you how to perform the link aggregation configuration on a Cisco Catalyst Switch model 2960.

On the prompt screen, enter the administrative login information.

Use the configure terminal command to enter the configuration mode.

Switch>
Switch> enable
Switch# configure terminal

Create a new VLAN, select an identification number and add a brief description.

Switch(config)# vlan 100
Switch(config-vlan)# name Server Vlan
Switch(config-vlan)# exit

On the configuration mode, you need to clear all the configuration from the switch port.

Switch(config)# default interface gigabitEthernet 0/11
Switch(config-if)# default interface gigabitEthernet 0/12

On the configuration mode, add the switch ports to a link aggregation group.

Switch(config)# interface gigabitethernet0/11
Switch(config-if)# channel-group 1 mode active
Switch(config)# interface gigabitethernet0/12
Switch(config-if)# channel-group 1 mode active
Switch(config-if)# exit

In our example, the switch ports 11 and 12 were configured as members of the link aggregation group 1.

To configure the link aggregation ports as a VLAN member, you need to use the following commands.

Switch(config)# interface Port-channel 1
Switch(config)# switchport mode access
Switch(config-if)# switchport access vlan 100
Switch(config-if)# exit
Switch(config)# exit

Congratulations, you finished the Link aggregation configuration on a Cisco Switch.

Now, you need to perform the link aggregation configuration on a Windows server.

Tutorial - Link Aggregation on Windows 2012

First, you need to open the Server Manager application.

Windows Server Manager

On the left part of the screen, select the option named Local Server.

Windows Local Server

Click on the NIC Teaming option.

Windows NIC Teaming

Access the Task menu and click on the option named New Team.

Configure New Team

On the New team screen, select the network interfaces that should be a member of the NIC teaming.

Click on the Additional properties option.

Select the LACP teaming mode.

Click on the OK button.

Windows link Aggregation LACP

The System will automatically create a new virtual interface using the specified name.

In our example, the system created a virtual interface named  Link aggregation using the physical Ethernet interfaces 1 and 2.

Windows LACP

Configure the new virtual interface to fit your needs.

You should not perform any configuration on the physical interfaces.

After finishing the configuration, the NIC teaming interfaces should be connected to the network Switch port, previously configured.

Congratulations, you finished the Link aggregation configuration on a Windows Server 2012.