What's better, bond over single (dual port) adapter, or over two adapters?

OggVorbis2 · 06-29-2009, 07:32 AM

Hi,

I have several servers with two dual port network adapters, adapter A and B. On each server I'd like to create two bonds. Should I create a bond adapter A and the other on adapter B? Of should each bond contain a port on both adapters?
So that is

Code:

A - port 1 (eth0) - bond0
A - port 2 (eth1) - bond0
B - port 1 (eth2) - bond1
B - port 2 (eth3) - bond1

or

Code:

A - port 1 (eth0) - bond0
A - port 2 (eth1) - bond1
B - port 1 (eth2) - bond0
B - port 2 (eth3) - bond1

I think the second setup is safer, because both bonds will continue to work when one of the adapters dies (at half speed, of course). But maybe the first setup is faster? What's your suggestion on this? Thanks!

MensaWater · 06-29-2009, 08:18 AM

I don't think there is any speed enhancement in the first setup though some testing would have to be done to verify it.

If the reason for bonding is redundancy then clearly the second setup is the best way to go. Your more likely to lose an entire card (both ports) than to lose two cards at the same time. Every time I've done bond it has been with two separate NICs.