07-23-2024, 02:26 PM
ou’re correct that link aggregation typically requires NICs of the same speed to be effective. Mixing different speeds (10GbE and 2.5GbE) doesn’t usually work for link aggregation as it can create bottlenecks.
Configuration Options:
Current Setup with 10GBASE-T:
Your current setup with the 10GBASE-T card should provide the highest single-link speed available. Since you already have a 10GBASE-T network, this is the fastest option for network throughput.
Utilizing the 10GBASE-T port from the QM2 card ensures you get the full speed capability for devices connected via 10GbE.
Switching to Dual 2.5GbE for Link Aggregation:
If you replace the 10GBASE-T card with a dual 2.5GbE PCIe card, you could theoretically use link aggregation across four 2.5GbE ports.
However, the combined throughput (2.5GbE x 4 = 10GbE) might still face limitations due to how link aggregation handles traffic, as it doesn’t perfectly sum up the speeds and depends on the traffic distribution.
Recommendation:
Stick with the current 10GBASE-T setup from your QM2 card. This configuration leverages your 10GBASE-T network’s full potential. While link aggregation with multiple 2.5GbE ports might seem like a fun project for a tinkerer, it won’t necessarily provide a noticeable improvement over the 10GbE single link, and it’s more complex to configure and maintain.
Configuration Options:
Current Setup with 10GBASE-T:
Your current setup with the 10GBASE-T card should provide the highest single-link speed available. Since you already have a 10GBASE-T network, this is the fastest option for network throughput.
Utilizing the 10GBASE-T port from the QM2 card ensures you get the full speed capability for devices connected via 10GbE.
Switching to Dual 2.5GbE for Link Aggregation:
If you replace the 10GBASE-T card with a dual 2.5GbE PCIe card, you could theoretically use link aggregation across four 2.5GbE ports.
However, the combined throughput (2.5GbE x 4 = 10GbE) might still face limitations due to how link aggregation handles traffic, as it doesn’t perfectly sum up the speeds and depends on the traffic distribution.
Recommendation:
Stick with the current 10GBASE-T setup from your QM2 card. This configuration leverages your 10GBASE-T network’s full potential. While link aggregation with multiple 2.5GbE ports might seem like a fun project for a tinkerer, it won’t necessarily provide a noticeable improvement over the 10GbE single link, and it’s more complex to configure and maintain.