What is Teaming?
It is the use of two physical network interfaces (NICs) on an AdderLink Infinity endpoint connected directly to another endpoint or to one or two network switches.
Teaming is not bonding where the two interfaces combine to become a single logical interface, each NIC is independent.
To take full advantage of teaming, all endpoints should be teamed. When receivers connected to a dual-NIC transmitter, if the transmitter determines that both NICs of the receivers have connected to the transmitter, it will send half the video down one NIC and half down the other. The receiver automatically stitches the video together on the receipt.
However, if one of the NICs is disconnected from a receiver, the transmitter will send the same video on both of its NICs. Those receivers that are still teaming will ignore the duplicate network traffic.
Only the video split is between the NICs, USB, Audio and Serial is handled on one of the two network connections.
Teaming was developed to provide Redundancy and Increased Bandwidth.
Redundancy
Having two network connections rather than one offers network redundancy. Provided the network traffic between the transmitter and receiver is still possible, the connection will remain working. Upon the loss of a network connection, the endpoints will automatically maintain a connection. There may be a few seconds of interruption whilst the connections are re-established.
There are various scenarios where network redundancy can be used, please see the Network Redundancy page for information.
Increased Bandwidth
After demands came from the Post production industry, where some of their heaviest video streams could potentially exceed the capability of a single Infinity NIC. Two network interfaces doubles the bandwidth that can be used to transmit the Video, typically providing more than enough capacity, preventing frame loss and video artefacts.
In summary, teaming is designed to give assurance and resilience where the application demands it.