Configuring Policy-Based Forwarding - Cisco WS-C6506 Software Manual

Configuring Policy-Based Forwarding

Configuring Policy-Based Forwarding
Policy-based forwarding (PBF) is an extension of VACL redirection that is supported by the PFC2 and
PFC3A/PFC3B/PFC3BXL. PBF is particularly beneficial in any flat Layer 2 network that is used for
transparent bridging where a limited amount of inter-VLAN communication is required and in server
farms or demilitarized zones (DMZs) where bridging devices (like server load-balancing appliances) are
involved or where firewall load balancing is performed.
Software release 7.5(1) and later releases have PBF enhancements that simplify the process of setting
Note
and committing the security ACLs and adjacency information. For more information, see the
to PBF Configuration (Software Releases 7.5(1) and Later)" section on page
Software release 8.3(1) and later releases have further PBF enhancements that simplify the process of
Note
setting and committing the security ACLs and adjacency information. For more information, see the
"Enhancements to the PBF Configuration (Software Releases 8.3(1) and Later)" section on page
PBF does not support IPX and multicast traffic.
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PBF does not work with 802.1Q tunnel traffic. PBF is supported on the Layer 3 IP unicast traffic; it is
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not applicable to the Layer 2 traffic. At the intermediate (PBF) switch, all 802.1Q tunnel traffic appears
as Layer 2 traffic.
PBF may require some configuration on the attached hosts. When a router is not present in the network,
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the ARP table entries have to be statically added on each host participating in PBF.
PBF is described in these sections:
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Catalyst 6500 Series Switch Software Configuration Guide—Release 8.7
15-90
Understanding How PBF Works, page 15-91
PBF Hardware and Software Requirements, page 15-91
Configuring PBF from the CLI, page 15-92
PBF Configuration Example, page 15-100
Enhancements to PBF Configuration (Software Releases 7.5(1) and Later), page 15-102
Enhancements to the PBF Configuration (Software Releases 8.3(1) and Later), page 15-105
Enhancements to PBF Configuration (Software Releases 8.6(1) and Later), page 15-110
Chapter 15 Configuring Access Control
"Enhancements
15-102.
15-105.
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