Cisco WS-C2960-24TC-S Software Guide - Page 603

traffic that needs to be load-distributed. In, an EtherChannel from a witch that is aggregating

Page 603 highlights

Chapter 31 Configuring EtherChannels and Link-State Tracking Understanding EtherChannels With source-IP address-based forwarding, when packets are forwarded to an EtherChannel, they are distributed across the ports in the EtherChannel based on the source-IP address of the incoming packet. Therefore, to provide load-balancing, packets from different IP addresses use different ports in the channel, but packets from the same IP address use the same port in the channel. With destination-IP address-based forwarding, when packets are forwarded to an EtherChannel, they are distributed across the ports in the EtherChannel based on the destination-IP address of the incoming packet. Therefore, to provide load-balancing, packets from the same IP source address sent to different IP destination addresses could be sent on different ports in the channel. But packets sent from different source IP addresses to the same destination IP address are always sent on the same port in the channel. With source-and-destination IP address-based forwarding, packets are sent to an EtherChannel and distributed across the EtherChannel ports, based on both the source and destination IP addresses of the incoming packet. This forwarding method, a combination of source-IP and destination-IP address-based forwarding, can be used if it is not clear whether source-IP or destination-IP address-based forwarding is better suited on a particular switch. In this method, packets sent from the IP address A to IP address B, from IP address A to IP address C, and from IP address C to IP address B could all use different ports in the channel. Different load-balancing methods have different advantages, and the choice of a particular load-balancing method should be based on the position of the switch in the network and the kind of traffic that needs to be load-distributed. In Figure 31-3, an EtherChannel from a witch that is aggregating data from four workstations communicates with a router. Because the router is a single-MAC-address device, source-based forwarding on the switch EtherChannel ensures that the switch uses all available bandwidth to the router. The router is configured for destination-based forwarding because the large number of workstations ensures that the traffic is evenly distributed from the router EtherChannel. Use the option that provides the greatest variety in your configuration. For example, if the traffic on a channel is only going to a single MAC address, using the destination-MAC address always chooses the same link in the channel. Using source addresses or IP addresses might result in better load balancing. OL-8603-04 Catalyst 2960 Switch Software Configuration Guide 31-7

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31-7
Catalyst 2960 Switch Software Configuration Guide
OL-8603-04
Chapter 31
Configuring EtherChannels and Link-State Tracking
Understanding EtherChannels
With source-IP address-based forwarding, when packets are forwarded to an EtherChannel, they are
distributed across the ports in the EtherChannel based on the source-IP address of the incoming packet.
Therefore, to provide load-balancing, packets from different IP addresses use different ports in the
channel, but packets from the same IP address use the same port in the channel.
With destination-IP address-based forwarding, when packets are forwarded to an EtherChannel, they are
distributed across the ports in the EtherChannel based on the destination-IP address of the incoming
packet. Therefore, to provide load-balancing, packets from the same IP source address sent to different
IP destination addresses could be sent on different ports in the channel. But packets sent from different
source IP addresses to the same destination IP address are always sent on the same port in the channel.
With source-and-destination IP address-based forwarding, packets are sent to an EtherChannel and
distributed across the EtherChannel ports, based on both the source and destination IP addresses of the
incoming packet. This forwarding method, a combination of source-IP and destination-IP address-based
forwarding, can be used if it is not clear whether source-IP or destination-IP address-based forwarding
is better suited on a particular switch. In this method, packets sent from the IP address A to IP address
B, from IP address A to IP address C, and from IP address C to IP address B could all use different ports
in the channel.
Different load-balancing methods have different advantages, and the choice of a particular
load-balancing method should be based on the position of the switch in the network and the kind of
traffic that needs to be load-distributed. In
Figure 31-3
, an EtherChannel from a witch that is aggregating
data from four workstations communicates with a router. Because the router is a single-MAC-address
device, source-based forwarding on the switch EtherChannel ensures that the switch uses all available
bandwidth to the router. The router is configured for destination-based forwarding because the large
number of workstations ensures that the traffic is evenly distributed from the router EtherChannel.
Use the option that provides the greatest variety in your configuration. For example, if the traffic on a
channel is only going to a single MAC address, using the destination-MAC address always chooses the
same link in the channel. Using source addresses or IP addresses might result in better load balancing.