Specifications

Core Layer April 2014
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The previous two commands show the same output below.
Ports in the group:
-------------------
Port: Te5/4
------------
Port state = Up Mstr In-Bndl
…
Port: Te5/5
------------
Port state = Up Mstr In-Bndl
…
Step 5: Enable virtual switch mode operation.
Now that a port-channel has been established between the switches, convert each switch to virtual mode
operation. At the enable prompt (that is, not in configuration mode) on each switch, enter the following
commands for each switch.
On standalone switch #1:
VSS-Sw1# switch convert mode virtual
On standalone switch #2:
VSS-Sw2# switch convert mode virtual
When asked if you want to proceed, answer yes.
Each switch now renumbers its interfaces from interface y/z (where y is the slot number and z is the interface
number) to interface x/y/z (where x is the switch number, y is the module number in that switch, and z is the
interface on that module). This numbering scheme allows the two chassis to be addressed and configured as a
single system from a single supervisor, which is the supervisor with the active control plane.
Once the configuration changes, it prompts you to save the configuration to bootflash. Accept the destination
filename and location on each switch by pressing Return <CR> or Enter.
Both switches reload. The switch pair negotiates using VSLP over the VSL and becomes a VSS, with one of the
switches resolved as the ACTIVE supervisor for the merged VSS switch. All configuration commands now must
be entered on the single active switch console. The other physical chassis in the VSS pair contains the STANDBY
HOT supervisor with a console port that displays the Standby prompt.
Verify that both switches can see each other, that they are in SSO mode, and that the second supervisor is in
STANDBY HOT status.
VSS-Sw1#show switch virtual redundancy
Confirm that the two Cisco Catalyst 6500 Series Switches are now operating as a single VSS system by using
configuration mode to rename the switch hostname.
VSS-Sw1(config)#hostname C6500-VSS
C6500VSS(config)#
A critical aspect of the Cisco Catalyst VSS is the control plane and data plane operating models. From a control
plane standpoint the VSS uses an active-standby operating model. This means that supervisor hardware on
one chassis becomes the active control plane for the entire VSS while the other supervisor hardware on the
paired chassis becomes the standby. The control plane handles protocol operations like IP routing, peering, route
table updates, and spanning tree BPDUs. The dataplane handles the hardware forwarding of packets, and both
switches are actively forwarding traffic in an active-active operating model.