Chapter 6 Configuring Etherchannel; Understanding How Etherchannel Works - Cisco WS-X6066-SLB-APC - Content Switching Module Software Manual

Configuring EtherChannel
This chapter describes how to use the command-line interface (CLI) to configure EtherChannel on the
Catalyst 6000 family switches. The configuration tasks in this chapter apply to Ethernet, Fast Ethernet,
and Gigabit Ethernet switching modules, as well as to the uplink ports on the supervisor engine.
Note For complete syntax and usage information for the commands used in this chapter, refer to the
Catalyst 6000 Family Command Reference publication.
This chapter consists of these sections:
•
•
•
Note The commands in the following sections can be used on all Ethernet ports in the Catalyst 6000 family
switches.

Understanding How EtherChannel Works

EtherChannel bundles individual Ethernet links into a single logical link that provides bandwidth up to
1600 Mbps (Fast EtherChannel full duplex) or 16 Gbps (Gigabit EtherChannel) between a Catalyst 6000
family switch and another switch or host.
All Ethernet ports on all modules, including those on a standby supervisor engine, support EtherChannel
(maximum of eight compatibly configured ports) with no requirement that ports be contiguous or on the
same module. All ports in each EtherChannel must be the same speed.
Note With software release 6.2(1) and earlier releases, the 6- and 9-slot Catalyst 6000 family switches
support a maximum of 128 EtherChannels.
With software release 6.2(2) and later releases, due to the port ID handling by the spanning tree
feature, the maximum supported number of EtherChannels is 126 for a 6- or 9-slot chassis and 63
for a 13-slot chassis. Note that the 13-slot chassis was first supported in software release 6.2(2).
78-13315-02
Understanding How EtherChannel Works, page 6-1
EtherChannel Configuration Guidelines, page 6-4
Configuring EtherChannel, page 6-5
Catalyst 6000 Family Software Configuration Guide—Releases 6.3 and 6.4
C H A P T E R
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6-1