Cisco 2950 Software Configuration Guide - Page 607

Physical Learners and Aggregate-Port Learners, Exchanging LACP Packets

Page 607 highlights

Chapter 31 Configuring EtherChannels Understanding EtherChannels Note An Etherchannel cannot be configured in both the PAgP and LACP modes. Exchanging LACP Packets Both the active and passive LACP modes allow interfaces to negotiate with partner interfaces to determine if they can form an EtherChannel based on criteria such as interface speed and, for Layer 2 EtherChannels, trunking state and VLAN numbers. Interfaces can form an EtherChannel when they are in different LACP modes as long as the modes are compatible. For example: • An interface in the active mode can form an EtherChannel with another interface that is in the active or passive mode. • An interface in the active mode can form an EtherChannel with another interface in the passive mode. An interface in the passive mode cannot form an EtherChannel with another interface that is also in the passive mode because neither interface starts LACP negotiation. An interface in the on mode that is added to a port channel is forced to have the same characteristics as the already existing on mode interfaces in the channel. Note An Etherchannel cannot be configured in both the PAgP and LACP modes. Caution You should exercise care when setting the mode to on (manual configuration). All ports configured in the on mode are bundled in the same group and are forced to have similar characteristics. If the group is misconfigured, packet loss or spanning-tree loops might occur. Physical Learners and Aggregate-Port Learners Network devices are classified as PAgP physical learners or aggregate-port learners. A device is a physical learner if it learns addresses by physical ports and directs transmissions based on that knowledge. A device is an aggregate-port learner if it learns addresses by aggregate (logical) ports. When a device and its partner are both aggregate-port learners, they learn the address on the logical port-channel. The device sends packets to the source by using any of the interfaces in the EtherChannel. With aggregate-port learning, it is not important on which physical port the packet arrives. The switch uses source-MAC address distribution for a channel if it is connected to a physical learner even if you configure the switch for destination-MAC address distribution. These frame distribution mechanisms are possible for frame transmission: • Port selection based on the source-MAC address of the packet • Port selection based on the destination- MAC address of the packet The switch supports up to eight ports in a PAgP group. 78-11380-10 Catalyst 2950 and Catalyst 2955 Switch Software Configuration Guide 31-5

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31-5
Catalyst 2950 and Catalyst 2955 Switch Software Configuration Guide
78-11380-10
Chapter 31
Configuring EtherChannels
Understanding EtherChannels
Note
An Etherchannel cannot be configured in both the PAgP and LACP modes.
Exchanging LACP Packets
Both the
active
and
passive
LACP
modes allow interfaces to negotiate with partner interfaces to
determine if they can form an EtherChannel based on criteria such as interface speed and, for Layer 2
EtherChannels, trunking state and VLAN numbers.
Interfaces can form an EtherChannel when they are in different LACP modes as long as the modes are
compatible. For example:
An interface in the
active
mode can form an EtherChannel with another interface that is in the
active
or
passive
mode.
An interface in the
active
mode can form an EtherChannel with another interface in the
passive
mode.
An interface in the
passive
mode cannot form an EtherChannel with another interface that is also in the
passive
mode because neither interface starts LACP negotiation.
An interface in the
on
mode that is added to a port channel is forced to have the same characteristics as
the already existing
on
mode interfaces in the channel.
Note
An Etherchannel cannot be configured in both the PAgP and LACP modes.
Caution
You should exercise care when setting the mode to
on
(manual configuration). All ports configured in
the
on
mode are bundled in the same group and are forced to have similar characteristics. If the group is
misconfigured, packet loss or spanning-tree loops might occur.
Physical Learners and Aggregate-Port Learners
Network devices are classified as PAgP physical learners or aggregate-port learners. A device is a
physical learner if it learns addresses by physical ports and directs transmissions based on that
knowledge. A device is an aggregate-port learner if it learns addresses by aggregate (logical) ports.
When a device and its partner are both aggregate-port learners, they learn the address on the logical
port-channel. The device sends packets to the source by using any of the interfaces in the EtherChannel.
With aggregate-port learning, it is not important on which physical port the packet arrives.
The switch uses source-MAC address distribution for a channel if it is connected to a physical learner
even if you configure the switch for destination-MAC address distribution.
These frame distribution mechanisms are possible for frame transmission:
Port selection based on the source-MAC address of the packet
Port selection based on the destination- MAC address of the packet
The switch supports up to eight ports in a PAgP group.