Blog Post: Does Microsoft Support Network Interface Card (NIC) Teaming??

First of all let?s start with what is NIC teaming?

NIC teaming means grouping several physical NICs into a single logical NIC. NIC teaming enhances
fault tolerance by increasing availability of a server?s network connection. Multiple network paths let
you balance network traffic for better performance. 

You can read more about NIC Teaming here on Hp site in detail

Using HP ProLiant Network Teaming Software with Microsoft� Windows� Server 2008 Hyper-V or with Microsoft� Windows� Server 2008 R2 Hyper-V

Similar link from Dell http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/network/9195p/en/Intel_nic_teaming_10.pdf

These links are just for your reference so that you can understand what is NIC teaming is all about.

The next question is when we use NIC teaming does Microsoft Support NIC Teaming? The answer short answer is No, we don?t and here is the reason or rather long answer?

Since Network Adapter Teaming is only provided by Hardware Vendors, Microsoft does not provide any support for this technology thru Microsoft Product Support Services. As a result, Microsoft may ask that you temporarily disable or remove Network Adapter Teaming software when troubleshooting issues where the teaming software is suspect.

If the problem is resolved by the removal of Network Adapter Teaming software, then further assistance must be obtained thru the Hardware Vendor.

To read more visit this support article http://support.microsoft.com/kb/968703

Also, take a look at this support article titled Network adapter teaming and server clustering

Thank You.

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