Concept Guide

Overview of Layer Modes
On all systems running Dell EMC 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 42. Layer Modes
Type of Interface Possible Modes Requires Creation Default State
10 Gigabit Ethernet and 40
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 )
Conguring Layer 2 (Data Link) Mode
Do not congure 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
switchport
Example of a Basic Layer 2 Interface Conguration
DellEMC(conf-if)#show config
!
interface Port-channel 1
no ip address
switchport
no shutdown
DellEMC(conf-if)#
Conguring Layer 2 (Interface) Mode
To congure an interface in Layer 2 mode, use the following commands.
• Enable the interface.
INTERFACE mode
Interfaces
421