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Catalyst 2950 Desktop Switch Software Configuration Guide
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Chapter 27 Configuring EtherChannels
Configuring EtherChannels
Beginning in privileged EXEC mode, follow these steps to assign a Layer 2 Ethernet interface to a
Layer 2 EtherChannel:
Command Purpose
Step 1
configure terminal Enter global configuration mode.
Step 2
interface interface-id Enter interface configuration mode, and specify a physical
interface to configure.
Valid interfaces include physical interfaces.
Up to eight interfaces of the same type and speed can be
configured for the same group.
Step 3
channel-group channel-group-number mode
{auto [non-silent] | desirable [non-silent] | on}
Assign the interface to a channel group, and specify the PAgP
mode. The default mode is auto silent.
For channel-group-number, the range is 1 to 6. Each
EtherChannel can have of up to eight compatibly configured
Ethernet interfaces.
For mode, select one of these keywords:
• auto—Enables PAgP only if a PAgP device is detected. It
places an interface into a passive negotiating state, in which
the interface responds to PAgP packets it receives but does
not start PAgP packet negotiation.
• desirable—Unconditionally enables PAgP. It places an
interface into an active negotiating state, in which the
interface starts negotiations with other interfaces by sending
PAgP packets.
• on—Forces the interface to channel without PAgP. With the
on mode, a usable EtherChannel exists only when an
interface group in the on mode is connected to another
interface group in the on mode.
• non-silent—If your switch is connected to a partner that is
PAgP-capable, you can configure the switch interface for
nonsilent operation. You can configure an interface with the
non-silent keyword for use with the auto or desirable mode.
If you do not specify non-silent with the auto or desirable
mode, silent is assumed. The silent setting is for connections
to file servers or packet analyzers; this setting allows PAgP
to operate, to attach the interface to a channel group, and to
use the interface for transmission.
For information on compatible PAgP modes for the switch and its
partner, see the “PAgP Modes” section on page 27-4.
Step 4
end Return to privileged EXEC mode.
Step 5
show running-config Verify your entries.
Step 6
copy running-config startup-config (Optional) Save your entries in the configuration file.
