NetApp
7-mode/HA pair/V-Series : Configuration : Network : Interfaces : Understanding interfaces : What trunking is
What trunking is
Trunking is a mechanism that groups together multiple network interfaces (or links) into one logical interface, called a trunk. A group of up to four physical Ethernet interfaces on a storage system can constitute a trunk. Groups of Ethernet interfaces, supported by the virtual interface feature, provide security in a clustered environment in takeover mode, and provide better throughput than multiple interfaces working as one interface can provide. Storage system network interfaces that are part of the same trunk do not have to be on the same network card, but some Ethernet switches and routers require that all members of the trunk be either half-duplex or full-duplex. Additionally, the interfaces that form a virtual interface must have the same MTU size.
There are two kinds of trunks:
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Single-mode trunks that enable one link of the trunk to take over for a failed link.
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Multiple-mode trunks that enable faster throughput by having links share network loads.