Ubuntu QA:
BlogBrainstormPackage status
Log in
Ubuntu QA
The Ubuntu community has contributed 17459 ideas, 107690 comments, 2263278 votes
Idea sandbox Idea sandbox
Popular ideas Popular ideas
Ideas in development Ideas in development
Implemented ideas Implemented ideas
Idea #18948: Network bonding is

Written by mfm the 31 Mar 09 at 11:26. Category: Internet & Networking. Related project: Nothing/Others. Status: New
Rationale
Using multiple network interfaces to increase bandwidth and availability - called bonding - is a commonly used method nowadays. However, the configuration requires either some insight into linux networking or the following of instructions given by someone else. There is no tool in Ubuntu that helps doing this or checks the prerequisites to prevent problems.
Tags: (none)

59
votes
up equal down
Solution #1: Include bonding in installers network configuration
Written by mfm the 31 Mar 09 at 11:26.
During installation the installer should check if
* multiple network interfaces exist
* if they are connected
* the required kernel module exists
It then offers the option to configure bonding after installation, including
* help choosing the correct bonding mode
* download of needed components
* loading the appropriate modules
* configuring the network interfaces
104
votes
up equal down
Solution #2: Create bonding configuration tool
Written by mfm the 31 Mar 09 at 11:31.
Create a tool which takes care of bonding configuration. It should check if
* multiple network interfaces exist
* if they are connected
* the required kernel module exists

If the prerequisites are met, it offers the available network interfaces to be integrated into the bond helps with coosing the correct bonding mode, downloads the required components, loads the kernel module and configures the bond interface.
-10
votes
up equal down
Solution #3: Include auto-bonding if two or more networks are available
Written by Abra_Kadabra the 8 Apr 09 at 18:17.
Just the same as above, but all is transparent for the user.

Propose your solution

Attachments
No attachments.


Duplicates


Comments
viraptor wrote on the 31 Mar 09 at 20:13
> the configuration requires either some insight into linux networking

Of course it does. Interface bonding is useful only for administrators of quite large networks / for other special scenarios. If you don't have some insight into linux networking already, then I don't see any reason why you would like to implement it... Also if you're doing it, you really should read about the details - whether you're using a howto, or not.
What is your use case?

mfm wrote on the 31 Mar 09 at 21:24
@viraptor:
It's my response to Soren Hansen: What Ubuntu Server Edition could be: http://warma.dk/blog/article/98/

Ubuntu Server has not to be difficult to install and make it reliable. If a small tool could help not-so-advanced users/admins to set up a reliable and fast network connection, it's a small step to bring it closer to be adopted by more users/admins.

viraptor wrote on the 1 Apr 09 at 21:07
A tool to make it easier, sure! But who configures anything serious during the installation stage?
Actually - who needs bonding && still uses normal installation as a deployment method... That would be a bit strange ;)

mfm wrote on the 9 Apr 09 at 07:21
@virator:
"Actually - who needs bonding && still uses normal installation as a deployment method..."

Uhhm, me?? Seriously, that would then be a use case for the after-installation-config-tool.

phiphi wrote on the 14 Apr 09 at 12:08
Why not? Connecting via cable and additional over wireless for internet access. -> More download-speed for average user.

But it should not configure automatically. If you have a UMTS-Connection available, for which you have to pay for use, it shouldn't use that unless no other connection is available.

This isn't just server stuff.

viraptor wrote on the 14 Apr 09 at 15:23
Yes - this is server / highend stuff.

Interface bonding is not the same as balancing connections over the interfaces. It means that if you setup bonding, you expect both interfaces to be connected to the same network and routed exactly the same. Bonding should be configured on both ends to really work as expected (otherwise loop protection should kick in and disable one interface).

It's for redundancy, or making your 2 * 100Mbit cards handle 200Mbit traffic. This is not for home use.

Related reading material: http://linux-ip.net/html/ether-bonding.html

mfm wrote on the 29 Apr 09 at 05:24
@viraptor: I used it at home for redundancy, but this is indeed rather unusual

@phiphi: This is Enterprise and SMB stuff, it does not get you anything, connecting 2x 10GBase-T to connect to your 2MBit-DSL-Router at home ;)


Post your comment