Choose a link aggregation switch with enough access ports for your connected devices, plus room for expansion, and select a managed model that supports Link Aggregation for combining uplinks and sharing traffic across links. For bandwidth planning, 1Gbps switches suit many standard installations, while multi-gigabit ports and SFP or SFP+ uplinks can support higher-throughput connections, fiber runs, or network backbones.

Check that both switches support the same link aggregation method, such as LACP, and configure matching port settings, including speed, duplex, VLANs, and load-balancing options. Confirm that the connected ports, cables, and SFP or fiber transceivers are compatible, then review link status, traffic distribution, and Spanning Tree Protocol behavior before placing the connection into service.

Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP) negotiates and manages a bundle of physical Ethernet links between compatible switches or network devices, presenting them as one logical connection. The switch uses hashing to distribute traffic across the links for load sharing, while the remaining links can carry traffic if one member link goes down.

When specifying link aggregation switches, consider the port count, front- or rear-facing connections, rack or wall mounting, and cooling needs for the installation location. For uplinks, look for managed models with dedicated SFP ports that support RJ45 or fiber connections, while higher-speed SFP+ options can suit networks that need additional uplink capacity.