CHAPTER
18-1
Catalyst 2960 Switch SoftwareConfiguration Guide
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18
Configuring Flex Links
This chapter describes how to configure Flex Links, a pair of interfaces on the Catalyst 2960 switch that
are used to provide a mutual backup.
Note For complete syntax and usage information for the commands used in this chapter, see the command
reference for this release.
The chapter consists of these sections:
Understanding Flex Links, page 18-1
Configuring Flex Links, page 18-2
Monitoring Flex Links, page 18-3

Understanding Flex Links

Flex Links are a pair of a Layer 2 interfaces (switchports or port channels), where one interface is
configured to act as a backup to the other. The feature provides an alternative solution to the Spanning
Tree Protocol (STP), allowing users to turn off STP and still provide basic link redundancy. Flex Links
are typically configured in service provider or enterprise networks where cu stomers do not want to run
STP on the switch. If the switch is running STP, it is not necessary to configure Flex Links because STP
already provides link-level redundancy or backup.
You configure Flex Links on one Layer 2 interface (the active link) by assigning another Layer 2
interface as the Flex Link or backup link. When one of the l inks is up and forwarding traffic, the other
link is in standby mode, ready to begin forwarding traffic if the other link shuts down. At any given time,
only one of the interfaces is in the linkup state and f orwarding traffic. If the primary link shuts down,
the standby link starts forwarding traffic. When the active link comes back up, it goes into st andby mode
and does not forward traffic. STP is disabled on Flex Link interfaces.
In Figure 18-1, ports 1 and 2 on switch A are connected to uplink switches B and C. Because they are
configured as Flex Links, only one of the interfaces is forwarding traffic; the other is in standby mode.
If port 1 is the active link, it begins forwarding traffic between port 1 and switch B; the link between
port 2 (the backup link) and switch C is not forwarding traffic. If port 1 goes down, port 2 comes up and
starts forwarding traffic to switch C. When port 1 comes back up, it goes into standby mode and does
not forward traffic; port 2 continues forwarding traffic.