Configuring Port Channels

Load Balancing Using Port Channels

For a Layer 4 frame, it uses the source and destination MAC addresses and the source and destination IP addresses.

Note You have the option to include the source and destination port number for the Layer 4 frame.

You can configure the switch to use one of the following methods (see the following table for more details) to load balance across the port channel:

Destination MAC address

Source MAC address

Source and destination MAC address

Destination IP address

Source IP address

Source and destination IP address

Destination TCP/UDP port number

Source TCP/UDP port number

Source and destination TCP/UDP port number

Table 4: Port Channel Load-Balancing Criteria

 

 

Configuration

Layer 2 Criteria

Layer 3 Criteria

Layer 4 Criteria

Destination MAC

Destination MAC

Destination MAC

Destination MAC

Source MAC

Source MAC

Source MAC

Source MAC

Source and destination

Source and destination

Source and destination

Source and destination

MAC

MAC

MAC

MAC

Destination IP

Destination MAC

Destination MAC,

Destination MAC,

 

 

destination IP

destination IP

Source IP

Source MAC

Source MAC, source IP

Source MAC, source IP

Source and destination IP

Source and destination

Source and destination

Source and destination

 

MAC

MAC, source and

MAC, source and

 

 

destination IP

destination IP

Destination TCP/UDP

Destination MAC

Destination MAC,

Destination MAC,

port

 

destination IP

destination IP, destination

 

 

 

port

Source TCP/UDP port

Source MAC

Source MAC, source IP

Source MAC, source IP,

 

 

 

source port

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Cisco Systems N5KC5596TFA manual Destination MAC Source MAC Source and destination, Mac

N5KC5596TFA specifications

The Cisco Systems N5KC5596TFA is a high-performance data center switch designed specifically for modern architectures requiring low-latency, high-bandwidth connectivity. As part of the Nexus 5000 series, the N5KC5596TFA addresses the needs of virtualized environments, cloud computing, and highly dynamic workloads, making it an essential choice for enterprises and service providers.

One of the standout features of the N5KC5596TFA is its impressive port density. The switch offers 48 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GbE) ports and 4 40 Gigabit Ethernet (40GbE) uplinks, providing flexibility to connect a variety of devices and ensuring high throughput across the network. This port configuration is ideal for connecting multiple servers and storage devices, making it perfect for environments with significant data traffic.

The switch supports a range of advanced technologies such as Virtual Extensible LAN (VXLAN) for improving scalability and multi-tenancy in data center networks. VXLAN encapsulates Layer 2 Ethernet frames within Layer 4 UDP packets, allowing for a larger address space and effective overlay networking, which is crucial for cloud deployments.

Another notable aspect of the N5KC5596TFA is its support for Data Center Bridging (DCB), which enhances the reliability and performance of Ethernet networks. DCB features like Priority Flow Control (PFC) and Enhanced Transmission Selection (ETS) help to minimize data loss and ensure Quality of Service (QoS) for various types of traffic, including storage and regular data, which is critical in a converged infrastructure.

Security is also a priority with the N5KC5596TFA, as it comes equipped with features such as Access Control Lists (ACLs) and port security, helping to safeguard the network from unauthorized access and potential threats.

In terms of management, the switch offers integration with Cisco's Data Center Network Manager (DCNM), providing tools for monitoring, management, and automation, which simplifies operational tasks. Additionally, it supports Cisco's Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI), enabling a more comprehensive and application-focused approach to networking.

Overall, the Cisco Systems N5KC5596TFA is engineered for organizations looking to build robust, highly efficient, and secure data center environments. Its combination of high density, versatile connectivity options, and advanced networking technologies makes it a powerful solution for meeting the demands of today’s enterprise workloads.