what is the smartlink feature on VC

[rossb2]

I am trying to understand the smartlink feature on virtual connect. I have set up a network, which uses a shared uplink set. The uplink set has an identical trunk port on VC module 1 and module 2. Module 1 is active, module 2 is passive. I have set up adapter teaming on windows 2003. My understanding is if module 1 loses a network connection, then NIC port 2 will be used on adapter teaming. What is the smartlink feature for in this scenario?

[JKytsi]

without smartlink your os team does not know when link goes down. Blade has always connection to vc module, smartlink can disable that link = failover to another uplink.

[Mi6t0]

This is a good article about your question:

http://blog.michaelfmcnamara.com/2009/08/hp-virtual-connect-smart-link/

I think you should not perceive the SmartLink option as just a prevention of network loss - it has much more options and advantages.