4.0.1.1 Introduction

Link aggregation is the ability to create one logical link using multiple physical links between two devices. This allows load sharing among the physical links, rather than having STP block one or more of the links. EtherChannel is a form of link aggregation used in switched networks.

This chapter describes EtherChannel and the methods used to create an EtherChannel. An EtherChannel can be manually configured or can be negotiated by using the Cisco-proprietary protocol Port Aggregation Protocol (PAgP) or the IEEE 802.3ad-defined protocol Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP). The configuration, verification, and troubleshooting of EtherChannel are discussed.

Redundant devices, such as multilayer switches or routers, provide the capability for a client to use an alternate default gateway should the primary default gateway fail. A client may now have multiple paths to more than one default gateway. First Hop Redundancy Protocols are used to manage multiple Layer 3 devices that serve as a default gateway or alternate default gateway and influence the IP address a client is assigned as a default gateway.

This chapter focuses on operations and configuration of Hot Standby Router Protocol (HSRP), a First Hop Redundancy Protocol, and examines some of the potential redundancy problems and their symptoms.

4.0.1.2 Class Activity - Imagine This

Imagine This

It is the end of the work day. In your small- to medium-sized business, you are trying to explain to the network engineers about EtherChannel and how it looks when it is physically set up. The network engineers have difficulty envisioning how two switches could possibly be connected via several links that collectively act as one channel or connection. Your company is definitely considering implementing an EtherChannel network.

Therefore, you end the meeting with an assignment for the engineers. To prepare for the next day’s meeting, they are to perform some research and bring to the meeting one graphic representation of an EtherChannel network connection. They are tasked with explaining how an EtherChannel network operates to the other engineers.

When researching EtherChannel, a good question to search for is “What does EtherChannel look like?” Prepare a few slides to demonstrate your research that will be presented to the network engineering group. These slides should provide a solid grasp of how EtherChannels are physically created within a network topology. Your goal is to ensure that everyone leaving the next meeting will have a good idea as to why they would consider moving to a network topology using EtherChannel as an option.

Class Activity - Imagine This

4.0.1.3 Introduction to Link Aggregation

In the figure, traffic coming from several links (usually 100 or 1000 Mb/s) aggregates on the access switch and must be sent to distribution switches. Because of the traffic aggregation, links with higher bandwidth must be available between the access and distribution switches.

It may be possible to use faster links, such as 10 Gb/s, on the aggregated link between the access and distribution layer switches. However, adding faster links is expensive. Additionally, as the speed increases on the access links, even the fastest possible port on the aggregated link is no longer fast enough to aggregate the traffic coming from all access links.

It is also possible to combine the number of physical links between the switches to increase the overall speed of switch-to-switch communication. However, by default, STP is enabled on Layer 2 devices such as switches. STP will block redundant links to prevent switching loops.

For these reasons, the best solution is to implement an EtherChannel configuration.

4.1.1.2 Advantages of EtherChannel

EtherChannel technology was originally developed by Cisco as a LAN switch-to-switch technique of grouping several Fast Ethernet or Gigabit Ethernet ports into one logical channel. When an EtherChannel is configured, the resulting virtual interface is called a port channel. The physical interfaces are bundled together into a port channel interface.

EtherChannel technology has many advantages:

Most configuration tasks can be done on the EtherChannel interface instead of on each individual port, ensuring configuration consistency throughout the links.

EtherChannel relies on existing switch ports. There is no need to upgrade the link to a faster and more expensive connection to have more bandwidth.

Load balancing takes place between links that are part of the same EtherChannel. Depending on the hardware platform, one or more load-balancing methods can be implemented. These methods include source MAC to destination MAC load balancing, or source IP to destination IP load balancing, across the physical links.

EtherChannel creates an aggregation that is seen as one logical link. When several EtherChannel bundles exist between two switches, STP may block one of the bundles to prevent switching loops. When STP blocks one of the redundant links, it blocks the entire EtherChannel. This blocks all the ports belonging to that EtherChannel link. Where there is only one EtherChannel link, all physical links in the EtherChannel are active because STP sees only one (logical) link.

EtherChannel provides redundancy because the overall link is seen as one logical connection. Additionally, the loss of one physical link within the channel does not create a change in the topology; therefore a spanning tree recalculation is not required. Assuming at least one physical link is present; the EtherChannel remains functional, even if its overall throughput decreases because of a lost link within the EtherChannel.

4.1.2.1 Implementation Restrictions

EtherChannel can be implemented by grouping multiple physical ports into one or more logical EtherChannel links.

Note: Interface types cannot be mixed; for example, Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet cannot be mixed within a single EtherChannel.

The EtherChannel provides full-duplex bandwidth up to 800 Mb/s (Fast EtherChannel) or 8 Gb/s (Gigabit EtherChannel) between one switch and another switch or host. Currently each EtherChannel can consist of up to eight compatibly-configured Ethernet ports. The Cisco IOS switch can currently support six EtherChannels. However, as new IOSs are developed and platforms change, some cards and platforms may support increased numbers of ports within an EtherChannel link, as well as support an increased number of Gigabit EtherChannels. The concept is the same no matter the speeds or number of links that are involved. When configuring EtherChannel on switches, be aware of the hardware platform boundaries and specifications.

The original purpose of EtherChannel was to increase speed capability on aggregated links between switches. However, this concept was extended as EtherChannel technology became more popular, and now many servers also support link aggregation with EtherChannel. EtherChannel creates a one-to-one relationship; that is, one EtherChannel link connects only two devices. An EtherChannel link can be created between two switches or an EtherChannel link can be created between an EtherChannel-enabled server and a switch.

The individual EtherChannel group member port configuration must be consistent on both devices. If the physical ports of one side are configured as trunks, the physical ports of the other side must also be configured as trunks within the same native VLAN. Additionally, all ports in each EtherChannel link must be configured as Layer 2 ports.

Each EtherChannel has a logical port channel interface, illustrated in the figure. A configuration applied to the port channel interface affects all physical interfaces that are assigned to that interface.

Note: Layer 3 EtherChannels can be configured on Cisco Catalyst multilayer switches, such as the Catalyst 3560, but these are not explored in this course. A Layer 3 EtherChannel has a single IP address associated with the logical aggregation of switch ports in the EtherChannel.

4.1.2.2 Port Aggregation Protocol

EtherChannels can be formed through negotiation using one of two protocols, PAgP or LACP. These protocols allow ports with similar characteristics to form a channel through dynamic negotiation with adjoining switches.

Note: It is also possible to configure a static or unconditional EtherChannel without PAgP or LACP.

PAgP

PAgP (pronounced “Pag – P”) is a Cisco-proprietary protocol that aids in the automatic creation of EtherChannel links. When an EtherChannel link is configured using PAgP, PAgP packets are sent between EtherChannel-capable ports to negotiate the forming of a channel. When PAgP identifies matched Ethernet links, it groups the links into an EtherChannel. The EtherChannel is then added to the spanning tree as a single port.

When enabled, PAgP also manages the EtherChannel. PAgP packets are sent every 30 seconds. PAgP checks for configuration consistency and manages link additions and failures between two switches. It ensures that when an EtherChannel is created, all ports have the same type of configuration.

Note: In EtherChannel, it is mandatory that all ports have the same speed, duplex setting, and VLAN information. Any port modification after the creation of the channel also changes all other channel ports.

PAgP helps create the EtherChannel link by detecting the configuration of each side and ensuring that links are compatible so that the EtherChannel link can be enabled when needed. The figure shows the modes for PAgP.

On - This mode forces the interface to channel without PAgP. Interfaces configured in the on mode do not exchange PAgP packets.

PAgP desirable - This PAgP mode places an interface in an active negotiating state in which the interface initiates negotiations with other interfaces by sending PAgP packets.

PAgP auto - This PAgP mode places an interface in a passive negotiating state in which the interface responds to the PAgP packets that it receives, but does not initiate PAgP negotiation.

The modes must be compatible on each side. If one side is configure to be in auto mode, it is placed in a passive state, waiting for the other side to initiate the EtherChannel negotiation. If the other side is also set to auto, the negotiation never starts and the EtherChannel does not form. If all modes are disabled by using the no command, or if no mode is configured, then the EtherChannel is disabled.

The on mode manually places the interface in an EtherChannel, without any negotiation. It works only if the other side is also set to on. If the other side is set to negotiate parameters through PAgP, no EtherChannel forms, because the side that is set to on mode does not negotiate.

No negotiation between the two switches means there is no checking to make sure that all the links in the EtherChannel are terminating on the other side or that there is PAgP compatibility on the other switch.

4.1.2.3 Link Aggregation Control Protocol

LACP

LACP is part of an IEEE specification (802.3ad) that allows several physical ports to be bundled to form a single logical channel. LACP allows a switch to negotiate an automatic bundle by sending LACP packets to the peer. It performs a function similar to PAgP with Cisco EtherChannel. Because LACP is an IEEE standard, it can be used to facilitate EtherChannels in multivendor environments. On Cisco devices, both protocols are supported.

Note: LACP was originally defined as IEEE 802.3ad. However, LACP is now defined in the newer IEEE 802.1AX standard for local and metropolitan area networks.

LACP provides the same negotiation benefits as PAgP. LACP helps create the EtherChannel link by detecting the configuration of each side and making sure that they are compatible so that the EtherChannel link can be enabled when needed. The figure shows the modes for LACP.

On - This mode forces the interface to channel without LACP. Interfaces configured in the on mode do not exchange LACP packets.

LACP active - This LACP mode places a port in an active negotiating state. In this state, the port initiates negotiations with other ports by sending LACP packets.

LACP passive - This LACP mode places a port in a passive negotiating state. In this state, the port responds to the LACP packets that it receives, but does not initiate LACP packet negotiation.

Just as with PAgP, modes must be compatible on both sides for the EtherChannel link to form. The on mode is repeated, because it creates the EtherChannel configuration unconditionally, without PAgP or LACP dynamic negotiation.

LACP allows for eight active links, and also eight standby links. A standby link will become active should one of the current active links fail.

4.2.1.1 Configuration Guidelines

The following guidelines and restrictions are useful for configuring EtherChannel:

EtherChannel support - All Ethernet interfaces on all modules must support EtherChannel with no requirement that interfaces be physically contiguous, or on the same module.

Speed and duplex - Configure all interfaces in an EtherChannel to operate at the same speed and in the same duplex mode.

VLAN match - All interfaces in the EtherChannel bundle must be assigned to the same VLAN, or be configured as a trunk (also shown in the figure).

Range of VLANs - An EtherChannel supports the same allowed range of VLANs on all the interfaces in a trunking EtherChannel. If the allowed range of VLANs is not the same, the interfaces do not form an EtherChannel, even when set to auto or desirable mode.

Figure 1 shows a configuration that would allow an EtherChannel to form between S1 and S2. In Figure 2, S1 the ports are configured as half duplex. Therefore, an EtherChannel will not form between S1 and S2.

If these settings must be changed, configure them in port channel interface configuration mode. Any configuration that is applied to the port channel interface also affects individual interfaces. However, configurations that are applied to the individual interfaces do not affect the port channel interface. Therefore, making configuration changes to an interface that is part of an EtherChannel link may cause interface compatibility issues.

The port channel can be configured in access mode, trunk mode (most common), or on a routed port.

4.2.1.2 Configuring Interfaces

Configuring EtherChannel with LACP requires two steps:

Step 1. Specify the interfaces that compose the EtherChannel group using the interface range interface global configuration mode command. The range keyword allows you to select several interfaces and configure them all together. A good practice is to start by shutting down those interfaces, so that any incomplete configuration does not create activity on the link.

Step 2. Create the port channel interface with thechannel-group identifier mode active command in interface range configuration mode. The identifier specifies a channel group number. The mode active keywords identify this as an LACP EtherChannel configuration.

Note: EtherChannel is disabled by default.

In Figure 1, FastEthernet0/1 and FastEthernet0/2 are bundled into EtherChannel interface port channel 1.

To change Layer 2 settings on the port channel interface, enter port channel interface configuration mode using the interface port-channel command, followed by the interface identifier. In the example, the EtherChannel is configured as a trunk interface with allowed VLANs specified. Also shown in Figure 1, the port channel is configured as a trunk allowing traffic from VLANs 1, 2, and 20.

Use the Syntax Checker in Figure 2 to configure EtherChannel on switch S1.