About Trunking - Cisco DS-C9216I-K9 Configuration Manual

Configuring Trunking
This chapter describes the trunking feature provided in Cisco MDS 9000 switches. It includes the
following sections:
This chapter contains the following topics:
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About Trunking

Trunking, also known as VSAN trunking, is a feature specific to switches in the Cisco MDS 9000
Family. Trunking enables interconnect ports to transmit and receive frames in more than one VSAN, over
the same physical link, using Extended ISL (EISL) frame format.
Figure 13-1
Switch 1
The trunking feature includes the following restrictions:
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OL-7753-01
About Trunking, page 13-1
About Trunking Protocol, page 13-2
Configuring Trunk Modes, page 13-2
Configuring Trunk-Allowed VSAN List, page 13-2
Trunking Configuration Guidelines, page 13-4
Default Settings, page 13-5
Trunking
Any other
switch
ISL
E port E port
Trunking configurations are only applicable to E ports. If trunk mode is enabled in an E port and
that port becomes operational as a trunking E port, it is referred to as a TE port.
The trunk-allowed VSANs configured for TE ports are used by the trunking protocol to determine
the allowed-active VSANs in which frames can be received or transmitted.
If a trunking enabled E port is connected to a third-party switch, the trunking protocol ensures
seamless operation as an E port.
C H A P T E R
Switch 1
EISL
TE port TE port
Trunking
Cisco MDS 9000 Fabric Manager Switch Configuration Guide
13
Switch 2
13-1