Cisco Nexus 5000 Series Switch CLI Software Configuration Guide, NX-OS 4.0(1a)N1 (OL-16597-01, January 2009)

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Cisco Nexus 5000 Series Switch CLI Software Configuration Guide
OL-16597-01
Chapter 36 Configuring SAN Port Channels
Configuring SAN Port Channels
Table 36-1 compares On and Active modes.
To configure active mode, perform this task:
The following example shows how to configure active mode:
switch(config)# interface san-port-channel 1
switch(config-if)# channel mode active
About SAN Port Channel Deletion
When you delete the SAN port channel, the corresponding channel membership is also deleted. All
interfaces in the deleted SAN port channel convert to individual physical links. After the SAN port
channel is removed, 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 (see the “Setting the
Interface Administrative State” section on page 32-9).
Table 36-1 Channel Group Configuration Differences
On Mode Active Mode
No protocol is exchanged. A port channel protocol negotiation is performed
with the peer ports.
Moves interfaces to the suspended state if its
operational values are incompatible with the SAN
port channel.
Moves interfaces to the isolated state if its
operational values are incompatible with the SAN
port channel.
When you add or modify a port channel member
port configuration, you must explicitly disable
(shut) and enable (no shut) the port channel
member ports at either end.
When you add or modify a port channel interface,
the SAN port channel automatically recovers.
Port initialization is not synchronized. There is synchronized startup of all ports in a
channel across peer switches.
All misconfigurations are not detected as no
protocol is exchanged.
Consistently detect misconfigurations using a port
channel protocol.
Transitions misconfigured ports to the suspended
state. You must explicitly disable (shut) and
enable (no shut) the member ports at either end.
Transitions misconfigured ports to the isolated
state to correct the misconfiguration. Once you
correct the misconfiguration, the protocol ensures
automatic recovery.
This is the default mode. You must explicitly configure this mode.
Command Purpose
Step 1
switch# configuration terminal
switch(config)#
Enters configuration mode.
Step 2
switch(config)# interface
san-port-channel channel-number
switch(config-if)#
Configures the specified port channel using the
default On mode. The SAN port channel number is
in the range of 1 to 256.
Step 3
switch(config-if)# channel mode active
Configures the Active mode.
switch(config-if)# no channel mode active
Reverts to the default On mode.