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Catalyst 2960 and 2960-S Switch Software Configuration Guide
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Chapter 37 Configuring EtherChannels and Link-State Tracking
Understanding Link-State Tracking
If all of the upstream interfaces become unavailable, link-state tracking automatically puts the
downstream interfaces in the error-disabled state. Connectivity to and from the servers is automatically changed from the primary server interface to the secondary server interface. As an example of a connectivity change from link-state group 1 to link-state group 2 on switch A, see Figure 37-6 on page 37-22. If the upstream link for port 6 is lost, the link states of downstream ports 1 and 2 do not change. However, if the link for upstream port 5 is also lost, the link state of the downstream ports changes to the link-down state. Connectivity to server 1 and server 2 is then changed from link-state group1 to link-state group 2. The downstream ports 3 and 4 do not change state because they are in link-group 2.
If the link-state group is configured, link-state tracking is disabled, and the upstream interfaces lose
connectivity, the link states of the downstream interfaces remain unchanged. Th e server does not recognize that upstream connectivity has been lost and does not failover to the secondary interface. You can recover a downstream interface link-down condition by removing the failed downstream port from the link-state group. To recover multiple downstream interfaces, disable the link-state group.

Figure 37-6 Typical Link-State Tracking Configuration

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Network
Layer 3 link
Server 1 Server 2 Server 3 Server 4
Distribution
switch 1
Distribution
switch 2
Switch A Switch B
Port
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Port
5
Port
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Port
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Port
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Port
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Port
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6Port
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Port
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Link-
state
group 2
Link-state
group 1
Link-state
group 1
Link-state
group 2 Link-state
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Primary link
Secondary link
Link-
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