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Chapter 13
Configuring PortChannels
S e n d d o c u m e n t a t i o n c o m m e n t s t o m d s f e e d b a c k - d o c @ c i s c o . c o m .
PortChannel Modes
You can configure each PortChannel with a channel group mode parameter to determine the PortChannel
protocol behavior for all member ports in this channel group. The possible values for a channel group
mode are as follows.
•
•
Table 13-2
Table 13-1
ON Mode
No protocol is exchanged.
Moves interfaces to the suspended state if its
operational values are incompatible with the
PortChannel.
When you add or modify a PortChannel member
port configuration, you must explicitly disable
(shut) and enable (no shut) the PortChannel
member ports at either end.
Port initialization is not synchronized.
All misconfigurations are not detected as no
protocol is exchanged.
Transitions misconfigured ports to suspended
state, you must explicitly disable (shut) and
enable (no shut) the member ports at either end.
This is the default mode
OL-6973-03, Cisco MDS SAN-OS Release 2.x
ON (default)—The member ports only operate as part of a PortChannel or remain inactive. In this
mode, the PortChannel protocol is not initiated. However, if a PortChannel protocol frame is
received from a peer port, the software indicates its nonnegotiable status. This mode is backward
compatible with the existing implementation of PortChannels in releases prior to Release 2.0(1b),
where the channel group mode is implicitly assumed to be ON. In Cisco MDS SAN-OS Releases1.3
and earlier, the only available PortChannel mode was the ON mode. PortChannels configured in the
ON mode require you to explicitly enable and disable the Portchannel member ports at either end if
you add or remove ports from the PortChannel configuration. You must physically verify that the
local and remote ports are connected to each other.
ACTIVE—The member ports initiate PortChannel protocol negotiation with the peer port(s)
regardless of the channel group mode of the peer port. If the peer port, while configured in a channel
group, does not support the PortChannel protocol, or responds with a nonnegotiable status, it will
default to the ON mode behavior. The ACTIVE PortChannel mode allows automatic recovery
without explicitly enabling and disabling the PortChannel member ports at either end.
a comparative reference for both modes.
Channel Group Configuration Differences
ACTIVE Mode
A PortChannel protocol negotiation is performed
with the peer ports.
Moves interfaces to the isolated state if its
operation values are incompatible with the
PortChannel.
When you add or modify a PortChannel interface,
the PortChannel automatically recovers.
Synchronized bringup of all ports in a channel
across peer switches.
Consistently detect misconfigurations using a
PortChannel protocol.
Transitions misconfigured ports to isolated state to
correct the misconfigurations. Once you correct the
misconfiguration, the protocol ensures automatic
recovery.
You must explicitly configure this mode.
Cisco MDS 9000 Family Configuration Guide
PortChannel Modes
13-7
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