Dynamic cluster link aggregation

Last published : Sep 24, 2026
Dynamic cluster link aggregation (DCLA) channel uses the Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP).
You must perform similar configurations on the cluster IP address and on the external connecting device. If possible, configure the upstream switch to distribute traffic based on IP address or port instead of MAC address.
Related information

Points to remember

  • Enable LACP by specifying the LACP mode as either ACTIVE or PASSIVE. Make sure that the LACP mode is not set as PASSIVE on both the NetScaler cluster and the external connecting device.
  • Specify the same LACP key on each interface that you want to be the part of the channel. For creating a CLA channel, the LACP key can have a value from 5 through 8. For example, if you set the LACP key on interfaces 0/1/2, 1/1/2, and 2/1/2 to 5, CLA/1 is created. The interfaces 0/1/2, 1/1/2, and 2/1/2 are automatically bound to CLA/1. Similarly, if you set the LACP key to 6, the CLA/2 channel is created.
  • Specify the LAG type as Cluster.
  • When a node becomes inactive, the corresponding LA interfaces' LACP is turned off such that the partner device stops sending traffic to the inactive node. The link remains active.
  • When a node becomes active, the corresponding LA interfaces' LACP is turned on. The link remains active.

Configure a DCLA channel by using the CLI

On the cluster IP address, for each interface that you want to add to the CLA channel, type:
set interface <id> -lacpMode <lacpMode> -lacpKey <positive_integer> -lagType CLUSTER
Example:
To configure a CLA channel CLA/1 of 3 interfaces.
> set interface 0/1/2 -lacpMode active -lacpKey 5 -lagType Cluster
> set interface 1/1/2 -lacpMode active -lacpKey 5 -lagType Cluster
> set interface 2/1/2 -lacpMode active -lacpKey 5 -lagType Cluster
Note:
Optionally, you can enable Link Redundancy in a Cluster with LACP.
Similarly, configure dynamic LA on the external switch. The following sample configurations are provided for the Cisco Nexus 7000 C7010 Release 5.2(1). Similar configurations must be performed on other switches.
Global config:
Configure terminal
feature lacp
Interface level config:

interface Ethernet2/47
switchport
switchport access vlan 10
channel-group 7 mode active
no shutdown

interface Ethernet2/48
switchport
switchport access vlan 10
channel-group 7 mode active
no shutdown