Cisco 3560G 48TS Software Configuration Guide - Page 592

Port Aggregation Protocol, PAgP Modes

Page 592 highlights

Understanding EtherChannels Chapter 29 Configuring EtherChannels Port Aggregation Protocol The Port Aggregation Protocol (PAgP) is a Cisco-proprietary protocol that can be run only on Cisco switches and on those switches licensed by vendors to support PAgP. PAgP facilitates the automatic creation of EtherChannels by exchanging PAgP packets between Ethernet ports. By using PAgP, the switch learns the identity of partners capable of supporting PAgP and the capabilities of each port. It then dynamically groups similarly configured ports into a single logical link (channel or aggregate port). Similarly configured ports are grouped based on hardware, administrative, and port parameter constraints. For example, PAgP groups the ports with the same speed, duplex mode, native VLAN, VLAN range, and trunking status and type. After grouping the links into an EtherChannel, PAgP adds the group to the spanning tree as a single switch port. PAgP Modes Table 29-1 shows the user-configurable EtherChannel PAgP modes for the channel-group interface configuration command. Table 29-1 EtherChannel PAgP Modes Mode Description auto Places a port into a passive negotiating state, in which the port responds to PAgP packets it receives but does not start PAgP packet negotiation. This setting minimizes the transmission of PAgP packets. desirable Places a port into an active negotiating state, in which the port starts negotiations with other ports by sending PAgP packets. on Forces a port to channel without PAgP (or the Link Aggregation Control Protocol [LACP]). With the on mode, a usable EtherChannel exists only when a port group in the on mode is connected to another port group in the on mode. Switch ports exchange PAgP packets only with partner ports configured in the auto or desirable modes. Ports configured in the on mode do not exchange PAgP packets. Both the auto and desirable modes enable ports to negotiate with partner ports to form an EtherChannel based on criteria such as port speed and, for Layer 2 EtherChannels, trunking state and VLAN numbers. Ports can form an EtherChannel when they are in different PAgP modes as long as the modes are compatible. For example: • A port in the desirable mode can form an EtherChannel with another port that is in the desirable or auto mode. • A port in the auto mode can form an EtherChannel with another port in the desirable mode. A port in the auto mode cannot form an EtherChannel with another port that is also in the auto mode because neither port starts PAgP negotiation. A port in the on mode that is added to a port channel is forced to have the same characteristics as the already existing on mode ports in the channel. 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. 29-4 Catalyst 3560 Switch Software Configuration Guide 78-16156-01

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29-4
Catalyst 3560 Switch Software Configuration Guide
78-16156-01
Chapter 29
Configuring EtherChannels
Understanding EtherChannels
Port Aggregation Protocol
The Port Aggregation Protocol (PAgP) is a Cisco-proprietary protocol that can be run only on Cisco
switches and on those switches licensed by vendors to support PAgP. PAgP facilitates the automatic
creation of EtherChannels by exchanging PAgP packets between Ethernet ports.
By using PAgP, the switch learns the identity of partners capable of supporting PAgP and the capabilities
of each port. It then dynamically groups similarly configured ports into a single logical link (channel or
aggregate port). Similarly configured ports are grouped based on hardware, administrative, and port
parameter constraints. For example, PAgP groups the ports with the same speed, duplex mode, native
VLAN, VLAN range, and trunking status and type. After grouping the links into an EtherChannel, PAgP
adds the group to the spanning tree as a single switch port.
PAgP Modes
Table 29-1
shows the user-configurable EtherChannel PAgP modes for the
channel-group
interface
configuration command.
Switch ports exchange PAgP packets only with partner ports configured in the
auto
or
desirable
modes.
Ports configured in the
on
mode do not exchange PAgP packets.
Both the
auto
and
desirable
modes enable ports to negotiate with partner ports to form an EtherChannel
based on criteria such as port speed and, for Layer 2 EtherChannels, trunking state and VLAN numbers.
Ports can form an EtherChannel when they are in different PAgP modes as long as the modes are
compatible. For example:
A port in the
desirable
mode can form an EtherChannel with another port that is in the
desirable
or
auto
mode.
A port in the
auto
mode can form an EtherChannel with another port in the
desirable
mode.
A port in the
auto
mode cannot form an EtherChannel with another port that is also in the
auto
mode
because neither port starts PAgP negotiation.
A port in the
on
mode that is added to a port channel is forced to have the same characteristics as the
already existing
on
mode ports in the channel.
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.
Table 29-1
EtherChannel PAgP Modes
Mode
Description
auto
Places a port into a passive negotiating state, in which the port responds to PAgP packets
it receives but does not start PAgP packet negotiation. This setting minimizes the
transmission of PAgP packets.
desirable
Places a port into an active negotiating state, in which the port starts negotiations with other
ports by sending PAgP packets.
on
Forces a port to channel without PAgP (or the Link Aggregation Control Protocol [LACP]).
With the
on
mode, a usable EtherChannel exists only when a port group in the
on
mode is
connected to another port group in the
on
mode.