Cisco Gigabit Ethernet Switch Module for HP p-Class BladeSystem Software Configuration Guide

CHAPTER

7-1

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Configuring Interface Characteristics

This chapter defines the types of interfaces on the switch and describes how to configure them.

The chapter consists of these sections:

• Understanding Interface Types, page 7-1

• Using Interface Configuration Mode, page 7-4

• Configuring Ethernet Interfaces, page 7-9

• Configuring the System MTU, page 7-14

• Monitoring and Maintaining the Interfaces, page 7-16

Note For complete syntax and usage information for the commands used in this chapter, see the switch

command reference for this release and the online Cisco IOS Interface Command Reference,

Release 12.2.

Understanding Interface Types

This section describes the different types of interfaces supported by the switch with references to

chapters that contain more detailed information about configuring these interface types. The rest of the

chapter describes configuration procedures for physical interface characteristics.

These sections describe the interface types:

• Port-Based VLANs, page 7-1

• Switch Ports, page 7-2

• EtherChannel Port Groups, page 7-3

• Connecting Interfaces, page 7-4

Port-Based VLANs

A VLAN is a switched network that is logically segmented by function, team, or application, without

regard to the physical location of the users. For more information about VLANs, see Chapter 9,

“Configuring VLANs.” Packets received on a port are forwarded only to ports that belong to the same

VLAN as the receiving port. Network devices in different VLANs cannot communicate with one another

without a Layer 3 device to route traffic between the VLANs.