Abstract: The routing of data received from a first network device into a second network device, each having a link aggregation engine, includes detecting whether or not the data has already undergone a link aggregation operation in the first device or upstream, based on markers present in the data, and then selecting an output link from all the output links of the second device participating in link aggregation if the data has not already undergone link aggregation, or selecting the output link from all the output links of the second device participating in link aggregation except for the output link towards the first device if the data has already undergone link aggregation, and transmitting the data on the output link selected.

Abstract: A method for managing the connection to other devices of a network device such as a residential gateway, is presented. The method prevents the other devices from being offered the ability to perform aggregation via the device which implements the method if this device itself performs link aggregation with other devices in order to increase its bandwidth. One thus avoids stream crossovers which reduce to naught the benefit of performing link aggregation between several residential gateways.

Abstract: The routing of data received from a first network device into a second network device, each having a link aggregation engine, includes detecting whether or not the data has already undergone a link aggregation operation in the first device or upstream, based on markers present in the data, and then selecting an output link from all the output links of the second device participating in link aggregation if the data has not already undergone link aggregation, or selecting the output link from all the output links of the second device participating in link aggregation except for the output link towards the first device if the data has already undergone link aggregation, and transmitting the data on the output link selected.