Using the NIC Teaming Utility to Manage Ethernet Teams

In most cases, use the Stratus LBFO teaming script to create fault-tolerant Ethernet teams. It automates and simplifies the process of creating valid teams.

Use the Microsoft NIC Teaming utility (LbfoAdmin.exe), a component of Server Manager, only if you need to:

  • Configure specific teaming modes or load-balancing settings

  • Configure VLANs

  • Add, remove, or replace individual Ethernet PCIe adapters in existing Ethernet teams

If you use the NIC Teaming utility to manage Ethernet teams, keep the following guidelines and restrictions in mind:

  • If you are creating new Ethernet teams, first create them with the LBFO teaming script, then, if needed, use the NIC Teaming utility to modify the teaming modes or load-balancing settings. Initially creating teams with the LBFO teaming script automatically ensures that the teams have an Ethernet PCIe adapter from each I/O module and that the teams have a persistent MAC address assigned.

  • If you use both the LBFO teaming script and NIC Teaming utility to manage Ethernet teams, use only one utility at a time to manage a team.

  • Use the NIC Teaming utility only when both partnered I/O modules are online. All NICs to be teamed must be present and enabled to be added to a team. If you examine a team with the NIC Teaming utility when some team members are not present, the utility may fail. See NIC Teaming Utility Fails When a CPU-I/O Enclosure Is Offline.

  • In the NIC Teaming utility, click OK in each dialog box to preserve your changes. If you do not click OK before closing the dialog box, the configuration procedure is incomplete, and you must repeat it.

To start Windows Server Manager

  1. Log on to the ztC Endurance system using an account that has administrative privileges.

  2. Start Server Manager. For example, click the Start button and click Server Manager.

    If your account does not have administrative privileges, right-click Server Manager and click Run as Administrator.

To use NIC Teaming to manage Ethernet PCIe adapters

  1. In Server Manager, click All Servers.

  2. In the Servers list, right-click the server name and click Configure NIC Teaming.

  3. In the NIC Teaming window, select an individual adapter or team to configure or manage.

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