The concept Manual EtherChannel Configuration is arrived from Cisco as a LAN switch-to-switch technique, which is port link aggregation technology dispenses fault-tolerant speed links between the servers, switches, and routers. EthernetChannel is a one-one relationship that connects only two devices. The basic aim of this concept is to allow various or multiple physical links into one single link i.e., one logical channel, The physical links can be Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet or 10- gigabit Ethernet channel. These physical link interfaces are combined into the port-channel interface. Each EthernetChannel is having an interface (logical port-channel) in which all physical interfaces are allocated to that channel interface.
We can take a look at the benefits of EthernetChannel technology: Implementation tasks can be done on EthernetChannel instead of implementing or configuring every single port. We can manage load balancing, redundancy on cisco switches with the help of EthernetChannel.
Also, read…
- What is EtherChannel PAgP and LACP Modes
- Difference between Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) and Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP)
Few configuration restrictions can make a note that various interfaces cannot be merged in the EthernetChannel i.e., Fast Ethernet and Giga Ethernet links cannot be combined in a single channel (logical). The main purpose of EthernetChannel is to enlarge the speed capability of links on intermediate devices.
Configuring EthernetChannel manually using on will doesn’t exchange any EthernetChannel negotiation frames. There is a chance of getting loops in this mode when the configuration is not done properly.
We can have a look of configuring devices with two switches when configuring the devices they should be in shutdown state because there is a chance of forming loops, However, in order to prevent loops we are configuring in shutdown state.
Configuration of switch1:
- sw1> enable
- sw1# configure terminal
- sw1(config)# interface range GigabitEthernet 0/1
- sw1(config-if-range)# channel-group 1 mode on
- sw1(config-if-range)# exit
- sw1(config)# exit
Configuration of switch2:
- sw2> enable
- sw2# configure terminal
- sw2(config)# interface range GigabitEthernet 0/1
- sw2(config-if-range)# channel-group 1 mode on
- sw2(config-if-range)# exit
- sw2(config)# exit
Download Manual EtherChannel Configuration in Cisco Switches Using Channel mode “on” in pdf – Click here