Users Guide

Physical Interfaces
The Management Ethernet interface is a single RJ-45 Fast Ethernet port on a switch.
The interface provides dedicated management access to the system.
Stack-unit interfaces support Layer 2 and Layer 3 traffic over the 1-Gigabit Ethernet and 10-Gigabit Ethernet , 25–Gigabit Ethernet, 40–
Gigabit Ethernet, 50–Gigabit Ethernet, and 100–Gigabit Ethernet interfaces. These interfaces can also become part of virtual interfaces
such as virtual local area networks (VLANs) or port channels.
For more information about VLANs, refer to Bulk Configuration. For more information on port channels, refer to Port Channel Interfaces.
Dell Networking OS Behavior: The system uses a single MAC address for all physical interfaces.
Configuration Task List for Physical Interfaces
By default, all interfaces are operationally disabled and traffic does not pass through them.
The following section includes information about optional configurations for physical interfaces:
• Overview of Layer Modes
• Configuring Layer 2 (Data Link) Mode
• Configuring Layer 2 (Interface) Mode
• Management Interfaces
• Auto-Negotiation on Ethernet Interfaces
• Adjusting the Keepalive Timer
• Clearing Interface Counters
Overview of Layer Modes
On all systems running Dell Networking OS, you can place physical interfaces, port channels, and VLANs in Layer 2 mode or Layer 3 mode.
By default, VLANs are in Layer 2 mode.
Table 25. Layer Modes
Type of Interface Possible Modes Requires Creation Default State
1 Gigabit Ethernet and 10 Gigabit
Ethernet
Layer 2
Layer 3
No Shutdown (disabled)
Management N/A No Shutdown (disabled)
Loopback Layer 3 Yes No shutdown (enabled)
Null interface N/A No Enabled
Port Channel
Layer 2
Layer 3
Yes Shutdown (disabled)
VLAN
Layer 2
Layer 3
Yes, except for the default
VLAN.
No shutdown (active for Layer
2)
Shutdown (disabled for Layer
3 )
Configuring Layer 2 (Data Link) Mode
Do not configure switching or Layer 2 protocols such as spanning tree protocol (STP) on an interface unless the interface has been set to
Layer 2 mode.
To set Layer 2 data transmissions through an individual interface, use the following command.
• Enable Layer 2 data transmissions through an individual interface.
INTERFACE mode
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Interfaces