Nortel Networks 212777 Port Trunking

212777-A, February 2002 65
CHAPTER 3
Port Trunking
Trunk groups can provide super-bandwidth, multi-link connections between Alteon Web
switches or other trunk-capable devices. A trunk group is a group of ports that act together,
combining their bandwidth to create a single, larger virtual link. This chapter p rov ides configu -
ration background and examples for trunking multiple ports together:
n Overview
n“Port Trunking Example” on page 67
Overview
When using port trunk groups between two Alteon Web switches as shown in Figure 3-1, you
can create a virtual link between the switches operating up to six gigabits per second, depend-
ing on how many physical ports are combined. The switch supports up to four trunk groups per
switch, each with two to six links.
Figure 3-1 Port Trunk Group
Trunk groups are also useful for connecting an Alteon Web switch to third-party devices that
support link aggregation, such as Cisco routers and switches with EtherChannel technology
(not ISL trunking technology) and Sun's Quad Fast Ethernet Adapter. Nortel Networks trunk
group technology is compatible with these devices when they are configured manually.
Link
Data
Active
Link
Data
Active
9
8
TX RX
TX
RX
Power Console
5
TX RX
4
TX RX
3
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1
TX RX
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TX RX
Web Switch
10/100/10000 Mbps Ethernet Server Switch
7
TX RX
Link
Data
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Base-SX
Gigabit
Powered
Link
Data
Active
Link
Data
Active
9
8
TX RX
TX
RX
Power Console
5
TX RX
4
TX RX
3
TX RX
1
TX RX
2
TX RX
6
TX RX
Web Switch
10/100/10000 Mbps Ethernet Server Switch
7
TX RX
Link
Data
1000
Base-SX
Gigabit
Powered
Aggregate Port Trunk
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