Configuring EtherChannels
Ports can form an LACP EtherChannel when they are in different LACP modes as long as the modes are
compatible as in the following examples:
• A port in active mode can form an EtherChannel successfully with another port that is in active mode.
• A port in active mode can form an EtherChannel with another port in passive mode.
• A port in passive mode cannot form an EtherChannel with another port that is also in passive mode
• A port in on mode is not running LACP.
LACP Marker Responders
Using EtherChannels, data traffic may be dynamically redistributed due to either a link failure or load balancing.
LACP uses the Marker Protocol to ensure that frames are not duplicated or reordered because of this
redistribution. Cisco NX-OS supports only Marker Responders.
LACP-Enabled and Static EtherChannels Differences
The following table provides a brief summary of major differences between EtherChannels with LACP enabled
and static EtherChannels.
Table 14: EtherChannels with LACP Enabled and Static EtherChannels
Configurations
Protocol applied
Channel mode of links
Maximum number of links in
channel
Configuring Port Channels
Creating an EtherChannel
You can create an EtherChannel before creating a channel group. Cisco NX-OS automatically creates the
associated channel group.
because neither port will initiate negotiation.
Cisco Nexus 5000 Series NX-OS Layer 2 Switching Configuration Guide, Release 5.0(3)N1(1)
EtherChannels with LACP Enabled
Enable globally.
Can be either:
• Active
• Passive
16
Configuring Port Channels
Static EtherChannels
Not applicable.
Can only be On.
16
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