Design Reference

Port on A Port on B Remarks Recommendations
both ports support Auto-
Negotiation mode.
Full-duplex Full-duplex Both sides require the same
mode.
Avaya recommends that
you use this configuration if
you require full-duplex, but
the configuration does not
support Auto-Negotiation.
Auto-Negotiation cannot detect the identities of neighbors or shut down misconnected ports. Upper-
layer protocols perform these functions.
Note:
The 10 GigabitEthernet fiber-based I/O module ports can operate at either 1 Gigabit per second
(Gbps) or 10 Gbps, dependent upon the capabilities optical transceiver that you install.
This presents an ambiguity with respect to the autonegotiation settings of the port, while 1
Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) ports require autonegotiation; autonegotiation is not defined and is non-
existent for 10 GbE ports.
For a 10GbE fiber-based I/O module, you have the capability to swap back-and-forth between 1
GbE and 10 GbE operation by simply swapping transceivers. To help with this transition
between 1 GbE and 10 GbE port operation, Avaya allows you to configure autonegotiation when
you install a 10 GbE transceiver, even though autonegotiation is not defined for 10GbE.
You can do this in anticipation of a port changeover from 10 GbE to 1 GbE. In this manner, you
could essentially preconfigure a port in 1 GbE mode while the 10 GbE transceiver is still
installed. The port is ready to go upon the changeover to the 1 GbE transceiver.
In addition, you can use a saved configuration file with autonegotiation enabled to boot a system
with either 10 GbE or 1 GbE transceivers installed. If you install a 1 GbE transceiver, the system
applies autonegotiation. If you install a 10 GbE transceiver, the system does not remove the
autonegotiation settings from the configuration, but the system simply ignores the configuration
because autonegotiation settings are irrelevant to a 10 GbE transceiver. The system preserves
the saved configuration for autonegotiation when resaved no matter which speed of transceiver
you install.
Auto MDIX
Automatic medium-dependent interface crossover (Auto-MDIX) automatically detects the need for a
straight-through or crossover cable connection and configures the connection appropriately. This
removes the need for crossover cables to interconnect switches and ensures either type of cable
can be used. The speed and duplex setting of an interface must be set to Auto for Auto-MDIX to
operate correctly.
Auto MDIX
June 2015 Network Design Reference for Avaya VSP 4000 Series 29
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