NIC Teaming (also known as Load Balancing and Failover - LBFO) is a feature in Windows Server that allows you to combine multiple network interface cards (NICs) into one logical interface. This provides network redundancy, load balancing, and higher availability for critical servers.
NIC Teaming allows two or more physical network adapters to work together as one, providing:
Increased bandwidth by aggregating links
Failover protection in case one NIC fails
Load balancing of network traffic
This is especially useful for virtualization hosts, file servers, and high-availability systems.
Windows Server 2012 or later
Two or more network adapters
Compatible hardware (check vendor support)
Admin privileges
Open Server Manager
Click Local Server
In the NIC Teaming section, click Disabled (to open the configuration window)
Click Tasks > New Team
Provide a Team name
Select the network adapters to include in the team
Configure:
Teaming mode: Switch Independent, Static Teaming, or LACP
Load Balancing Mode: Address Hash, Hyper-V Port, or Dynamic
Click OK to create the team
| Mode | Description |
|---|---|
| Switch Independent | Does not require switch configuration |
| Static Teaming | Requires switch configuration |
| LACP (802.3ad) | Dynamic negotiation with supported switch |
Use Switch Independent + Dynamic mode for most environments
Ensure all NICs are from the same vendor when possible
Monitor the teamed NICs for performance and failover testing
For Hyper-V hosts, consider using Hyper-V Port load balancing
To check the team status:
NIC Teaming boosts your server’s network performance and resilience. It’s a simple yet powerful feature to implement redundancy and efficiency in your server infrastructure.
Need help optimizing your network for performance and uptime? Reach out to our expert team today!
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