Etherchannel Overview - Cisco Catalyst 2960 Software Configuration Manual

Understanding EtherChannels
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EtherChannel Overview

An EtherChannel consists of individual Fast Ethernet or Gigabit Ethernet links bundled into a single
logical link as shown in
Figure 38-1
The EtherChannel provides full-duplex bandwidth up to 800 Mb/s (Fast EtherChannel) or 8 Gb/s
(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 Layer 2 ports. The number of EtherChannels is
limited to six.
For more information, see the
Catalyst 2960 and 2960-S Switches Software Configuration Guide, Release 15.0(1)SE
38-2
EtherChannel On Mode, page 38-8
Load Balancing and Forwarding Methods, page 38-8
EtherChannel and Switch Stacks, page 38-10
Figure
Typical EtherChannel Configuration
Catalyst 8500
series switch
Gigabit EtherChannel
1000BASE-X
10/100
Switched
links
Workstations
Chapter 38
38-1.
1000BASE-X
10/100
Switched
links
Workstations
"EtherChannel Configuration Guidelines" section on page
Configuring EtherChannels and Link-State Tracking
38-12.
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