Migrating an Assigned LAN to LAGG

Only unassigned physical ports can be added to a LAGG, so to move an assigned LAN interface to a LAGG requires some shuffling around.

In this example, the LAN of an APU (re2) will be moved into a LAGG with the OPT1 port (re0).

Warnings/Precautions

It is best to perform this change from an interface that is not involved, such as a DMZ, OPT port, perhaps WAN or VPN. Though if the switch is properly configured there should be no loss of connectivity, at least with LACP. Other modes may vary.

Prerequisites/Assumptions

The switch must be properly configured to accommodate the LAGG. This typically means configuring an LACP group and setting ports to use that group. The NICs involved, in this example re0 and re2, should be connected to properly configured ports on the switch before starting.

Migrate LAN to a LAGG

  1. Ensure the second NIC for the LAGG is not assigned (e.g. re0 mapped to OPT1)

    1. In the pfSense® webGUI, check Interfaces > (assign) and remove its entry if present

  2. Create a new LAGG including only the second NIC

    1. Navigate to Interfaces > (assign) on the LAGG tab

    2. Click fa-plus to create a new LAGG

    3. Click to select the NIC to use with this LAGG (re0)

    4. Select the proper LAGG protocol, such as LACP

    5. Enter a description

    6. Click Save

  3. Navigate to Interfaces > (assign), change the assignment of LAN to the newly created LAGG interface (LAGG0)

  4. Click Save

  5. Navigate back to the LAGG tab

  6. Click fa-pencil to edit the LAGG

  7. Ctrl-click to add in the port that was formerly assigned to LAN (re2) so that both NICs are selected

  8. Click Save

Now both re0 and re2 are members of a LAGG and that LAGG is the LAN interface with all of the existing configuration in place.

VLANS

If any VLANs were in use directly on the interfaces involved, migrate them as follows:

  • Add new VLAN tags using the LAGG interface as the parent (Interfaces > (assign), VLAN tab)

  • Fix the assignments to use the LAGG versions of the tags (Interfaces > (assign))

  • Remove the old tags from the physical interface(s) (Interfaces > (assign), VLAN tab)

Do not edit the existing tags and change the parent interface, it will cause problems with the interface assignments. Always create new tags, switch the assignments, then remove the old tags.