More on link aggregation: How important is a standard?
 
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Even though link aggregation is currently being standardized, it turns out that most vendors' proprietary implementations already interoperate. This fact was recently borne out in a test conducted by Network World and the Tolly Group (see the section on link aggregation in the feature story at: www.nwfusion.com/netresources/0913featinterop.html).
Link aggregation refers to where several Ethernet links are strung between two switches (or between a switch and a server), but are treated logically as one pipe.
So why is a standard necessary? Well, the switches really only interoperate at a basic connectivity level, according to vendors. A standard protocol is needed for higher-level functions, like checking for misconfigurations, monitoring the state of the links, and adding or dropping links. In the emerging standard, these functions are handled by Link Aggregation Control Protocol.
The standard also makes it easier for third-party management tools to discover the links, monitor them, and alert network managers to problems.
