Cisco 3845 Software Guide - Page 550

Port Aggregation Protocol, PAgP Modes

Page 550 highlights

Understanding EtherChannels Chapter 28 Configuring EtherChannels After you configure an EtherChannel, configuration changes applied to the port-channel interface apply to all the physical ports assigned to the port-channel interface. Configuration changes applied to the physical port affect only the port to which you apply the configuration. To change the parameters of all ports in an EtherChannel, apply the configuration commands to the port-channel interface. 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 28-1 shows the user-configurable EtherChannel PAgP modes for the channel-group interface configuration command on an port. Table 28-1 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. 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 that is 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. If your switch is connected to a partner that is PAgP-capable, you can configure the switch port for nonsilent operation by using the non-silent keyword. If you do not specify non-silent with the auto or desirable mode, silent mode is assumed. 28-4 Cisco ME 3800X and 3600X Switch Software Configuration Guide OL-23400-01

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28-4
Cisco ME 3800X and 3600X Switch Software Configuration Guide
OL-23400-01
Chapter 28
Configuring EtherChannels
Understanding EtherChannels
After you configure an EtherChannel, configuration changes applied to the port-channel interface apply
to all the physical ports assigned to the port-channel interface. Configuration changes applied to the
physical port affect only the port to which you apply the configuration. To change the parameters of all
ports in an EtherChannel, apply the configuration commands to the port-channel interface.
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 28-1
shows the user-configurable EtherChannel PAgP modes for the
channel-group
interface
configuration command on an port.
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 that is 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.
If your switch is connected to a partner that is PAgP-capable, you can configure the switch port for
nonsilent operation by using the
non-silent
keyword. If you do not specify
non-silent
with the
auto
or
desirable
mode, silent mode is assumed.
Table 28-1
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.