Configuring Port Channels

Understanding LACP

Table 6: Channel Modes for Individual Links in a Port channel

Channel Mode

Description

passive

LACP mode that places a port into a passive

 

negotiating state, in which the port responds to LACP

 

packets that it receives but does not initiate LACP

 

negotiation.

active

LACP mode that places a port into an active

 

negotiating state, in which the port initiates

 

negotiations with other ports by sending LACP

 

packets.

on

All static port channels, that is, that are not running

 

LACP, remain in this mode. If you attempt to change

 

the channel mode to active or passive before enabling

 

LACP, the device returns an error message.

 

You enable LACP on each channel by configuring

 

the interface in that channel for the channel mode as

 

either active or passive. When an LACP attempts to

 

negotiate with an interface in the on state, it does not

 

receive any LACP packets and becomes an individual

 

link with that interface; it does not join the LACP

 

channel group.

Both the passive and active modes allow LACP to negotiate between ports to determine if they can form a port channel, based on criteria such as the port speed and the trunking state. The passive mode is useful when you do not know whether the remote system, or partner, supports LACP.

Ports can form an LACP port channel when they are in different LACP modes as long as the modes are compatible as in the following examples:

•A port in active mode can form a port channel successfully with another port that is in active mode.

•A port in active mode can form a port channel with another port in passive mode.

•A port in passive mode cannot form a port channel with another port that is also in passive mode because neither port will initiate negotiation.

•A port in on mode is not running LACP.

LACP Marker Responders

Using port channels, data traffic may be dynamically redistributed due to either a link failure or load balancing. LACP uses the Marker Protocol to ensure that frames are not duplicated or reordered because of this redistribution. Cisco NX-OS supports only Marker Responders.

Cisco Nexus 5000 Series NX-OS Interfaces Configuration Guide, Release 5.2(1)N1(1)

78-26881-OL

53

Page 64 Page 66
Page 65
Image 65
Cisco Systems N5KC5596TFA manual Lacp Marker Responders
Page 64 Page 66

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.
Top Page Image Contents