Windows Server 2012 NIC Teaming LACP Test

Windows Server 2012 not only provides native support for NIC teaming but also for switch assisted link aggregation - 802.1ax, LACP.

To test this in a lab environment I have used a Cisco 3550 with 2x WS-G5483 installed and performed these steps on the switch:

conf t
int port-channel 1
int gi 0/1
channel-group 1 mode active
int gi 0/2
channel-group 1 mode active
^Z
copy run start

To configure the team using PowerShell (it is possible to do via the GUI too):

Run Get-NetAdapter to find the names of your NICs - in my case they were Ethernet and Ethernet 2 - then run:

 New-NetLbfoTeam -Name "LAN Team" -TeamMembers ethernet,"ethernet 2" -TeamingMode lacp  

The output will show the team status as down so wait a few seconds for the LACP negotiation to complete and run Get-NetLbfoteam.  You can also run Get-NetLbfoTeamNic or Get-NetAdapter to confirm that the LinkSpeed in now 2GB.

Update: It should be noted that you require a properly configured switch to get LACP to work.  If the switch is not configured correctly or it does not support LACP at all you will receive a "LACP negotiation failed" error message