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I'm trying to understand what's needed to make Windows 7 combine two Ethernet ports into one virtual 2 gigabit port. I know I need 802.3ad compatible switch, my NAS also supports 802.3ad, but it's not sure what's needed on the desktop side.

I know I can buy an expensive 2-port server NIC, and Intel drivers have "teaming" support in them. However, my motherboard already has an integrated NIC. If I put a second, cheap regular network adapter, is there a way to enable 802.3ad over them in Windows?

haimg
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2 Answers2

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For NIC teaming or link aggregation support, you'll need to contact your network adaptor vendor or OEM (e.g. Dell offers a teaming driver). They will need to provide you a driver that enables NIC teaming, since Windows does not offer this functionality in the core OS.

Source: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_other-networking/does-windows-natively-support-link-aggregation/81e647f9-d89e-4028-8370-7e8bb0e3dc2f?msgId=6ca73c70-5ea7-4054-a75a-1be66d545b8a

Joseph
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Link aggregation will not provide any benefits using one computer connected to one NAS.

Link aggregation could not split a TCP/IP session on two links. Since one file transfer is one TCP session, it will use only one link.

Link aggregation is good for servers delivering files to several client simultaneously.

bokan
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