Redundancy Is Not Always Active/Active
Connecting a server with two network cables provides redundancy, but it does not automatically double usable bandwidth. Depending on configuration, one link may carry traffic while the other waits as a fallback.
The 10 + 10 example
Two 10 Gbit/s connections do not automatically provide 20 Gbit/s. Without link aggregation, one connection may remain on standby.
| Mode | What happens |
|---|---|
| Active/standby | One connection carries traffic; the standby takes over after a failure. |
| Active/active | Multiple links can carry traffic together through a correctly configured LAG. |
Recommended approach
Decide whether you need redundancy, bandwidth, or both. A second cable without a configured LAG is a fallback connection, not additional active bandwidth.