VC Flex-10 cross-connect confusion

[DerekS_1]

I have a C7000 chassis with two flex-10 modules. I understand the two modules have a horizontal internal cross-connect. But I'm confused whether I can use x7 and x8 to uplink to an external switch?

I'd like to use all 8 ports on each module as uplinks to a Nexus 5000. But after some reading and warning messages in the VC manager, it appears I may need to reduce my uplinks to six and leave x7 and x8 unpopulated.

Confused...

[BrianDoyle]

Hi Derek,

You can use the X7 and X8 ports for example as a stacking link to other VC-ENET modules in your C7000 or even as uplink ports if you choose.
If these are left unpopulated they are used as internal cross-connects.

Regards

[Adrian Clint]

If you plug in an SFP+ to either x7 and x8 then you disable the appropriate internal x7-x7 and x8-x8 links.
You dont need both cross connect links,one could be fine.
It also depends on your VC network design as well. Depending on the scenario - you may not be designing any traffic to go between VC modules anyway.