Virtual Connect Cabling Question

[Allan Zawadowicz]

We are considering purchasing a C class chassis with VC Flex 10 modules. Then connecting each VC mod to 2 separate 6509s with 6708 modules. How many cables are required for the uplinks? 2 for each side, a total of 4? In what way do the 6509s need to be linked? Is the bonded 2 Gig link between the supervisor modules enough?

[HEM_2]

There really is no minimum requirement for cabling VC to your external switches. You obviously at least need one uplink for any connectivity whatsoever and probably 2 (1 per bay) for redundancy. The rest is dictated by the bandwidth needs you have. 2 uplinks per bay for a total of 4 uplinks give you a potential of 40Gb of bandwidth when employing an Active/Active VC uplink configuration.

As far as the 2 Gb inter-switch-link for your 6509's... once again it depends on how your traffic will flow. If the VC traffic must flow over the 2Gb link to get to its destination then it could be considered a bottleneck.

HTH

[Allan Zawadowicz]

Hmmm....I was told you need to reserve 2 ports on the 6708 and only on one side for lag. But not really sure what that means. Any idea?

I agree with the 2 gig link being a bottleneck. Our secondary core is mostly idle because of spanning tree blocks. So right now that link is mostly unused. If our primary core failed, the secondary core would provide connectivity to the distribution and access switches.