Layer 2 | 569NIC TeamingNIC teaming is a feature that allows multiple network interface cards in a server to be represented by oneMAC address and one IP address in order to provide transparent redundancy, balancing, and to fully utilizenetwork adapter resources.Figure 25-2 shows a topology where two NICs have been teamed together. In this case, if the primary NICfails, traffic switches to the secondary NIC, since they are represented by the same set of addresses.Figure 25-2. Redundant NICs with NIC TeamingWhen NIC teaming is employed, consider that the server MAC address is originally learned on Port 0/1 ofthe switch (Figure 25-3). When the NIC fails, the same MAC address is learned on Port 0/5 of the switch.The MAC address must be disassociated with the one port and re-associated with another in the ARP table;in other words, the ARP entry must be “moved”. To ensure that this happens, you must configure thecommand mac-address-table station-move refresh-arp on the Dell Force10 switch at the time that NICteaming is being configured on the server.Note: If this command is not configured, traffic continues to be forwarded to the failed NIC until the ARPentry on the switch times out.MAC: A:BA:B:C:DIP: 1.1.1.1fnC0025mpX Port 0/1Port 0/5Active Link
