EtherChannel – Quick and Dirty
EtherChannel allows you to aggregate several switch links into a single, fast, fault-tolerant, logical interface. 16 links can be defined for an EtherChannel, however, a maximum of 8 will be active at any one time. The other links are placed on standby.
While having multiple links between two switches can possibly create bridging loops, EtherChannel avoids this by bundling the links into a single logical interface. This logical interface can be configured as an access or trunk interface.
For ports to be members of the same EtherChannel, there are some restrictions. Ports must:
- Belong to the same VLAN
- Have identical STP settings
- Have identical speed/duplex settings
- Note: In addition, if the EtherChannel is to be used as a trunking interface, all ports must be in trunking mode, have the same native VLAN, and pass the same set of VLANs.
The full duplex maximum bandwidth for 8 links is as follows:
- Fast EtherChannel (FEC): 1600 Mbps
- Gigabit EtherChannel (GEC): 16Gbps
- 10-Gigabit EtherChannel (10GEC): 160Gbps
- Note: This is theoretical; maximum bandwidth is not likely to be achieved due to unequal load balancing, and other factors.
Load Balancing
EtherChannel load balancing across the links can occur in a number Continue reading