Configuring Virtual Port Channels

Creating a vPC Peer Link

Procedure

 

Command or Action

Purpose

Step 1

switch# configure terminal

Enters configuration mode.

Step 2

switch(config)# interface

Selects the EtherChannel that you want to use as the

 

port-channelchannel-number

vPC peer link for this switch, and enters the interface

 

 

configuration mode.

Step 3

switch(config-if)# vpc peer-link

Configures the selected EtherChannel as the vPC peer

 

 

link, and enters the vpc-domain configuration mode.

Step 4

switch# show vpc brief

(Optional)

 

 

Displays information about each vPC, including

 

 

information about the vPC peer link.

Step 5

switch# copy running-config

(Optional)

 

startup-config

Copies the running configuration to the startup

 

 

configuration.

This example shows how to configure a vPC peer link:

switch# configure terminal switch(config)# interface port-channel 20 switch(config-if)#vpc peer-link

Checking the Configuration Compatibility

After you have configured the vPC peer link on both vPC peer switches, check that the configurations are consistent on all vPC interfaces.

Note Beginning with Cisco NX-OS Release 5.0(2)N1(1), the following QoS parameters support Type 2 consistency checks:

Network QoS—MTU and Pause

Input Queuing —Bandwidth and Absolute Priority

Output Queuing—Bandwidth and Absolute Priority

In the case of a Type 2 mismatch, the vPC is not suspended. Type 1 mismatches suspend the vPC.

Parameter

Default Setting

switch# show vpc consistency-parameters {global

Displays the status of those parameters that must be

interface port-channel channel-number}

consistent across all vPC interfaces.

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

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Cisco Systems N5KC5596TFA manual Checking the Configuration Compatibility, Switch# show vpc consistency-parameters global

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.