The active backup runner can use all of the link-watchers to determine the status of links in a team. Any one of the following examples can be added to the team JSON format configuration file:

{
   "device": "team0",
   "runner": {
      "name": "activebackup"
   },
   "link_watch": {
      "name": "ethtool"
   },
   "ports": {
      "em1": {
         "prio": -10,
         "sticky": true
      },
      "em2": {
         "prio": 100
      }
   }
}

This example configuration uses the active-backup runner with ethtool as the link watcher. Port em2 has higher priority. The sticky flag ensures that if em1 becomes active, it stays active as long as the link remains up.

{
   "device": "team0",
   "runner": {
      "name": "activebackup"
   },
   "link_watch": {
      "name": "ethtool"
   },
   "ports": {
      "em1": {
         "prio": -10,
         "sticky": true,
         "queue_id": 4
      },
      "em2": {
         "prio": 100
      }
   }
}

This example configuration adds a queue ID of 4. It uses active-backup runner with ethtool as the link watcher. Port em2 has higher priority. But the sticky flag ensures that if em1 becomes active, it will stay active as long as the link remains up.

To configure the activebackup runner using ethtool as the link watcher and applying a delay, using an editor as root, add the following to the team JSON format configuration file:

{
   "device": "team0",
   "runner": {
      "name": "activebackup"
   },
   "link_watch": {
      "name": "ethtool",
      "delay_up": 2500,
      "delay_down": 1000
   },
   "ports": {
      "em1": {
         "prio": -10,
         "sticky": true
      },
      "em2": {
         "prio": 100
      }
   }
}

This example configuration uses the active-backup runner with ethtool as the link watcher. Port em2 has higher priority. But the sticky flag ensures that if em1 becomes active, it stays active while the link remains up. Link changes are not propagated to the runner immediately, but delays are applied.

Please see the teamd.conf(5) man page for more information.