Chapter 36
Configuring SAN Port Channels
S e n d f e e d b a c k t o n x 5 0 0 0 - d o c f e e d b a c k @ c i s c o . c o m
About Interface Addition to a SAN Port Channel
You can add a physical interface (or a range of interfaces) to an existing SAN port channel. The
compatible parameters on the configuration are mapped to the SAN port channel. Adding an interface to
a SAN port channel increases the channel size and bandwidth of the SAN port channel.
After the members are added, regardless of the mode (Active and On) used, the ports at either end are
gracefully brought down, indicating that no frames are lost when the interface is going down.
Compatibility Check
A compatibility check ensures that the same parameter settings are used in all physical ports in the
channel. Otherwise, they cannot become part of a SAN port channel. The compatibility check is
performed before a port is added to the SAN port channel.
The check ensures that the following parameters and settings match at both ends of a SAN port channel:
•
•
•
A port addition procedure fails if the capability and administrative parameters in the remote switch are
incompatible with the capability and administrative parameters in the local switch. If the compatibility
check is successful, the interfaces are operational and the corresponding compatibility parameter
settings apply to these interfaces.
Suspended and Isolated States
If the operational parameters are incompatible, the compatibility check fails and the interface is placed
in a suspended or isolated state based on the configured mode:
•
•
See the
Adding an Interface to a SAN Port Channel
To add an interface to a SAN port channel, perform this task:
Command
Step 1
switch# configuration terminal
switch(config)#
Step 2
switch(config)# interface type slot/port
switch(config-if)#
Step 3
switch(config-if)# channel-group
channel-number
OL-16597-01
Capability parameters (type of interface, Fibre Channel at both ends).
Administrative compatibility parameters (speed, mode, port VSAN, allowed VSAN, and port
security).
Operational parameters (speed and remote switch's WWN).
An interface enters the suspended state if the interface is configured in the On mode.
An interface enters the isolated state if the interface is configured in the Active mode.
"Reason Codes" section on page
32-5.
Purpose
Enters configuration mode.
Enters configuration mode for the specified
interface.
Adds the Fibre Channel interface to the
specified channel group. If the channel group
does not exist, it is created. The port is shut
down.
Cisco Nexus 5000 Series Switch CLI Software Configuration Guide
Interfaces in a SAN Port Channel
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