Null Interfaces; Port Channel Interfaces - Dell Force10 Z9000 Configuration Manual

Null Interfaces

The Null interface is another virtual interface created by the E-Series software. There is only one Null
interface. It is always up, but no traffic is transmitted through this interface.
To enter the INTERFACE mode of the Null interface, use the following command in the
CONFIGURATION mode:
Command Syntax
interface null 0
The only configurable command in the INTERFACE mode of the Null interface is the
command.

Port Channel Interfaces

Port channel interfaces support link aggregation, as described in IEEE Standard 802.3ad.
This section covers the following topics:
• Port channel definition and standards
• Port channel benefits
• Port channel implementation
• Configuration task list for port channel interfaces
Port channel definition and standards
Link aggregation is defined by IEEE 802.3ad as a method of grouping multiple physical interfaces into a
single logical interface—a Link Aggregation Group (LAG) or port channel. A LAG is "a group of links
that appear to a MAC client as if they were a single link" according to IEEE 802.3ad. In FTOS, a LAG is
referred to as a port channel interface.
A port channel provides redundancy by aggregating physical interfaces into one logical interface. If one
physical interface goes down in the port channel, another physical interface carries the traffic.
Port channel benefits
For the E-Series, a port channel interface provides many benefits, including easy management, link
redundancy, and sharing.
Port channels are transparent to network configurations and can be modified and managed as one interface.
For example, you configure one IP address for the group and that IP address is used for all routed traffic on
the port channel.
Command Mode Purpose
CONFIGURATION Enter the INTERFACE mode of the Null interface.
ip unreachable
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