Layer 2 Etherchannel Configuration Guidelines - Cisco Catalyst 2960 series Configuration Manual

Information About EtherChannels
Configuring EtherChannel Load-Balancing
Load-Balancing and Forwarding Methods, on page 333
MAC Address Forwarding, on page 333
IP Address Forwarding, on page 334
Load-Balancing Advantages, on page 334
Configuring the PAgP Learn Method and Priority , on page 348
PAgP Learn Method and Priority, on page 330
Configuring the LACP System Priority , on page 350
Configuring the LACP Port Priority , on page 351

Layer 2 EtherChannel Configuration Guidelines

When configuring Layer 2 EtherChannels, follow these guidelines:
• Assign all ports in the EtherChannel to the same VLAN, or configure them as trunks. Ports with different
native VLANs cannot form an EtherChannel.
• An EtherChannel supports the same allowed range of VLANs on all the ports in a trunking Layer 2
EtherChannel. If the allowed range of VLANs is not the same, the ports do not form an EtherChannel
even when PAgP is set to the auto or desirable mode.
• Ports with different spanning-tree path costs can form an EtherChannel if they are otherwise compatibly
configured. Setting different spanning-tree path costs does not, by itself, make ports incompatible for
the formation of an EtherChannel.
Related Topics
Configuring Layer 2 EtherChannels , on page 342
EtherChannel Overview, on page 324
EtherChannel Modes, on page 325
EtherChannel on Switches, on page 326
EtherChannel Link Failover, on page 327
LACP Modes, on page 332
PAgP Modes , on page 329
Silent Mode, on page 330
Creating Port-Channel Logical Interfaces
Channel Groups and Port-Channel Interfaces, on page 327
PAgP Modes , on page 329
Silent Mode, on page 330
Configuring the Physical Interfaces
Channel Groups and Port-Channel Interfaces, on page 327
PAgP Modes , on page 329
Silent Mode, on page 330
Configuring EtherChannel Load-Balancing
Load-Balancing and Forwarding Methods, on page 333
MAC Address Forwarding, on page 333
Consolidated Platform Configuration Guide, Cisco IOS Release 15.2(4)E (Catalyst 2960-X Switches)
340