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Configuring Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit
Ethernet, and 10-Gigabit Ethernet Switching
This chapter describes how to use the command-line interface (CLI) to configure Ethernet, Fast Ethernet,
Gigabit Ethernet, and 10-Gigabit Ethernet switching on the Catalyst 6500 series switches. The
configuration tasks in this chapter apply to Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, and 10-Gigabit
Ethernet switching modules, as well as to the uplink ports on the supervisor engine.
For complete syntax and usage information for the commands that are used in this chapter, refer to the
Note
Catalyst 6500 Series Switch Command Reference publication.
This chapter consists of these sections:
•
•
•
Understanding How Ethernet Works
Catalyst 6500 series switches support simultaneous, parallel connections between Ethernet segments.
Switched connections between Ethernet segments last only for the duration of the packet. New
connections can be made between different segments for the next packet.
Catalyst 6500 series switches solve congestion problems that are caused by high-bandwidth devices and
a large number of users by assigning each device (for example, a server) to its own 10-, 100-, 1000-, or
10000-Mbps segment. Because each Ethernet port on the switch represents a separate Ethernet segment,
the servers that are in a properly configured switched environment achieve full access to the bandwidth.
Because collisions are a major bottleneck in the Ethernet networks, an effective solution is full-duplex
communication, which is an option for any 10- or 100-Mbps port on a Catalyst 6500 series switch (the
Gigabit Ethernet and 10-Gigabit Ethernet ports are always full duplex). Typically, Ethernet operates in
half-duplex mode, which means that stations can either receive or transmit. In full-duplex mode, two
stations can transmit and receive at the same time. When packets can flow in both directions
simultaneously, effective Ethernet bandwidth doubles to 20 Mbps for 10-Mbps ports and to 200 Mbps
for Fast Ethernet ports. The Gigabit Ethernet and 10-Gigabit Ethernet ports on the Catalyst 6500 series
switches are full duplex only (2-Gbps and 20-Gbps effective bandwidth, respectively).
OL-8978-04
Understanding How Ethernet Works, page 4-1
Default Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, and 10-Gigabit Ethernet Configuration, page 4-3
Setting the Port Configuration, page 4-4
C H A P T E R
Catalyst 6500 Series Switch Software Configuration Guide—Release 8.7
4
4-1
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Troubleshooting
