CHAPTER
15-1
Cisco Systems IntelligentGigabit Ethernet Switch Modules for the IBM BladeCenter, Software Configuration Guide
24R9746
15
Configuring Port-Based Traffic Control
This chapter describes how to configure the port-based traffic control features on your Cisco Systems
Intelligent Gigabit Ethernet Switch Module.
Note For complete syntax and usage information for the commands used in this chapter, see the command
reference for this release.
This chapter consists of these sections:
Configuring Storm Control, page 15-1
Configuring Protected Ports, page 15-3
Configuring Port Security, page 15-4
Displaying Port-Based Traffic Control Settings, page 15-11

Configuring Storm Control

These sections include storm control configuration information and procedures:
Understanding Storm Control, page 15-1
Default Storm Control Configuration, page 15-2
Configuring Storm Control and Threshold Levels, page 15-2

Understanding Storm Control

Storm control prevents traffic on a LAN from being disrupted by a broadcast, multicast, or unicast storm
on a port. A LAN storm occurs when packets flood the LAN, creating excessive traffic and degrading
network performance. Errors in the protocol-stack implement ation, mistakes in network configuration,
or users issuing a denial-of-service attack can cause a storm.
Storm control is configured for the switch as a whole but operates on a per-port basis. By default, storm
control is disabled.
Storm control uses rising and falling thresholds to block and then restore the forwarding of broadcast,
unicast, or multicast packets. You can also set the switch to shut down the port when the rising threshold
is reached.
Storm control uses a bandwidth-based method to measure traffic activity.