Method and apparatus for link aggregation using links having different link speeds

An apparatus for forwarding a packet from a first node toward a second node using a link aggregation group comprising a plurality of links connecting the first node and the second node, comprising:

• a processor and a memory, the processor configured to:
• receive the packet at the first node, the first node maintaining a port selection table configured to provide a weighting of the ports of the link aggregation group according to a respective plurality of port speeds of the ports of the link aggregation group;
• wherein, for each port of the link aggregation group, a respective number of table entries of the port selection table is substantially proportional to the port speed of the port of the link aggregation group;
• wherein, for each table entry of the port selection table, the table entry includes an index value and a port identifier value indicative of one of the ports with which the table entry is associated;
• and
• select one of the ports of the link aggregation group by using a hash value computed for the packet as a key into the port selection table, the selected one of the ports of the link aggregation group being identified by a port identifier value included within a table entry having an index value associated with the computed hash value;
• and
• propagate the packet from the first node toward the second node via the selected one of the ports of the link aggregation group.

A method for creating a port selection table for a link aggregation group, comprising:

• determining a number of ports selected for inclusion in a link aggregation group;
• determining respective port speeds of the ports selected for inclusion in the link aggregation group;
• selecting a number of table entries for the port selection table;
• generating table entries for the port selection table using the number of table entries, the port speeds, and the number of ports in the link aggregation group;
• and
• storing the port selection table in a memory.