Etherchannel Overview - Cisco Catalyst 3560-X Software Configuration Manual

Understanding EtherChannels
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EtherChannel Overview

An EtherChannel consists of individual Gigabit Ethernet links bundled into a single logical link as shown
in Figure
Figure 1-1
The EtherChannel provides full-duplex bandwidth up to 8 Gb/s (Gigabit EtherChannel) or 80 Gb/s
(10-Gigabit EtherChannel) between your switch and another switch or host.
Each EtherChannel can consist of up to eight compatibly configured Ethernet ports. All ports in each
EtherChannel must be configured as either Layer 2 or Layer 3 ports. The number of EtherChannels is
limited to 48. For more information, see the
page
configured to be in Layer 3 mode by using the no switchport interface configuration command. For
more information, see the
Layer 3 EtherChannels are not supported on switches running the LAN base feature set.
Note
Catalyst 3750-X and 3560-X Switch Software Configuration Guide
1-2
Load-Balancing and Forwarding Methods, page 1-8
EtherChannel and Switch Stacks, page 1-10
1-1.
Typical EtherChannel Configuration
Catalyst 8500
series switch
Gigabit EtherChannel
1000BASE-X
10/100
Switched
links
Workstations
1-12. The EtherChannel Layer 3 ports are made up of routed ports. Routed ports are physical ports
Chapter 1, "Configuring Interface Characteristics."
Chapter 1 Configuring EtherChannels and Link-State Tracking
1000BASE-X
10/100
Switched
links
Workstations
"EtherChannel Configuration Guidelines" section on
OL-25303-03