Understanding Etherchannels - Cisco Catalyst 2960 Software Configuration Manual

Configuring EtherChannels and Link-State
Tracking
To use link-state tracking, the switch must be running the LAN Base image.
Note
This chapter describes how to configure EtherChannels on the Catalyst 2960, 2960-S, or 2960-C switch.
EtherChannel provides fault-tolerant high-speed links between switches, routers, and servers. You can
use it to increase the bandwidth between the wiring closets and the data center, and you can deploy it
anywhere in the network where bottlenecks are likely to occur. EtherChannel provides automatic
recovery for the loss of a link by redistributing the load across the remaining links. If a link fails,
EtherChannel redirects traffic from the failed link to the remaining links in the channel without
intervention. This chapter also describes how to configure link-state tracking. Unless otherwise noted,
the term switch refers to a standalone switch and to a switch stack.
Stacking is supported only on Catalyst 2960-S switches running the LAN base image.
Note
For complete syntax and usage information for the commands used in this chapter, see the command
Note
reference for this release.
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Understanding EtherChannels

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OL-26520-01
Understanding EtherChannels, page 38-1
Configuring EtherChannels, page 38-11
Displaying EtherChannel, PAgP, and LACP Status, page 38-21
Understanding Link-State Tracking, page 38-21
Configuring Link-State Tracking, page 38-23
EtherChannel Overview, page 38-2
Port-Channel Interfaces, page 38-4
Port Aggregation Protocol, page 38-5
Link Aggregation Control Protocol, page 38-7
Catalyst 2960 and 2960-S Switches Software Configuration Guide, Release 15.0(1)SE
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