PLANET XGS3-24042 - Manual (Page 383)

44-1
Chapter 44 ECMP Configuration
44.1 Introduction to ECMP
ECMP (Equal-cost Multi-path Routing) works in the network environment where there are many different links
to arrive at the same destination address. If using the traditional routing technique, only a link can be used to
send the data packets to the destination address, other links at the backup state or the invalidation state, and
it needs some times to process the mutual switchover under the static routing environment. However, ECMP
protocol can use multi-links under such network environment, it not only implements the load balance,
increases the transport bandwidth, but also can completely backup the data transport of the invalidation links
without delay and packet loss.
Figure 44-1 the application environment of ECMP
As it is shown in the figure, there are two paths can be selected from R1 to R4, they are R1-R2-R4 and
R1-R3-R4. If the route type and the cost are same, then it can forms two routes from R1 to R4, but the next
hop is different. If two routes are selected as the best, then they form the equal-cost route.
44.2 ECMP Configuration Task List
1. Configure the max number of equal-cost route
2. Configure load-balance mode for port-group
1. Configure the max number of equal-cost route
Command Explanation
Global mode
maximum-paths <1-8>
no maximum-paths
Configure the max number of equal-cost route.
2. Configure load-balance mode for port-group