Etherchannel Overview - Cisco WS-C3560-48PS-S Software Configuration Manual

Understanding EtherChannels

EtherChannel Overview

An EtherChannel consists of individual Fast Ethernet or Gigabit Ethernet links bundled into a single
logical link as shown in
Figure 29-1 Typical EtherChannel Configuration
The EtherChannel provides full-duplex bandwidth up to 800 Mbps (Fast 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. For Catalyst 3560 switches, the
number of EtherChannels is limited to 12. For more information, see the
Guidelines" section on page
ports are physical ports configured to be in Layer 3 mode by using the no switchport interface
configuration command. For more information, see the
Characteristics."
If a link within an EtherChannel fails, traffic previously carried over that failed link changes to the
remaining links within the EtherChannel. A trap is sent for a failure, identifying the switch, the
EtherChannel, and the failed link. Inbound broadcast and multicast packets on one link in an
EtherChannel are blocked from returning on any other link of the EtherChannel.
Catalyst 3560 Switch Software Configuration Guide
29-2
Figure 29-1.
Catalyst 8500
series switch
Gigabit EtherChannel
1000BASE-X
10/100
Switched
links
Workstations
29-9. The EtherChannel Layer 3 ports are made up of routed ports. Routed
1000BASE-X
10/100
Switched
links
Workstations
Chapter 10, "Configuring Interface
Chapter 29 Configuring EtherChannels
"EtherChannel Configuration
78-16156-01