Configuring Virtual Port Channels

Configuring a vPC Keepalive Link and Messages

 

Command or Action

Purpose

Step 3

switch# show vpc brief

(Optional)

 

 

Displays brief information about each vPC domain.

Step 4

switch# copy running-config

(Optional)

 

startup-config

Copies the running configuration to the startup

 

 

configuration.

This example shows how to create a vPC domain:

switch# configure terminal switch(config)# vpc domain 5

Configuring a vPC Keepalive Link and Messages

You can configure the destination IP for the peer-keepalive link that carries the keepalive messages. Optionally, you can configure other parameters for the keepalive messages.

The Cisco Nexus 5500 Platform switches support VRF lite with Layer 3 modules and with the Base or LAN-Enterprise license installed. This capability allows you to create a VRF and assign a specific interface to the VRF. Prior to this release, two VRFs are created by default: VRF management and VRF default. The mgmt0 interface and all SVI interfaces reside in VRF management and default.

The Cisco NX-OS software uses the peer-keepalive link between the vPC peers to transmit periodic, configurable keepalive messages. You must have Layer 3 connectivity between the peer devices to transmit these messages. The system cannot bring up the vPC peer link unless the peer-keepalive link is already up and running.

Ensure that both the source and destination IP addresses used for the peer-keepalive message are unique in your network and these IP addresses are reachable from the Virtual Routing and Forwarding (VRF) associated with the vPC peer-keepalive link.

Note We recommend that you configure a separate VRF instance and put a Layer 3 port from each vPC peer switch into that VRF for the vPC peer-keepalive link. Do not use the peer link itself to send vPC peer-keepalive messages. For information on creating and configuring VRFs, see the Unicast Routing Configuration Guide for your device.

Before You Begin

Ensure that you have enabled the vPC feature.

You must configure the vPC peer-keepalive link before the system can form the vPC peer link.

You must configure both switches on either side of the vPC peer link with the following procedure.

 

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

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Cisco Systems N5KC5596TFA manual Configuring a vPC Keepalive Link and Messages, Switch# show vpc brief

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.