01-27-2022 12:52 PM
Hello,
I want to understand, from a design perspective, how a nexus 7k switch can be connected to catalyst switches in the distribution layer
N7K will be used as core and DC switch at the same time (by using VDC I guess)
What are the possible designs using those references, especially the interconnection between the dist and N7K (L3 etherchannel, L2 etherchannel (catalyst side)? vPC N7K side ?
I'm a bit confused because in such scenario is new to me
Thank you in advance for your thoughts, any document would be helpful
01-27-2022 01:35 PM
If this enterprise Lan, Nexus is not the right choice, this is more of DC-based Switches.
This is not a commonly recommended design as per the Cisco standards, i do see people deploying like this with their own choices.
If Nexus 7K can able to handle everything you looking to achieve in terms of routing and other stuff based on the requirement.
i will advise layer2 connection to Catalyst switches. (not sure what model here in your environment) - the catalyst switches required a base License you save some cost here.
Other Option, If the catalyst switches powerful like Cat 9500 with network advantage License, then you can make them Layer 23 between Nexus and Catalyst,
Note: the decision to be made based on the requirement and where you like to have Layer 3 and Layer 2 demarcation before your deployment take place.
01-27-2022 01:48 PM
Hi Balaji,
The choice is already made, access switches are 9200, and distribution are 9500 switches
in the DC layer will be hosted all the servers (application servers, WLC, ISE ...), and I think there will be VDC in N7K to separate the core switch function for the lower layers (will host vlan interfaces as gateways), and DC part
now, between Catalyst and N7K what are the available choices ? and what can I do between VDCs? those are my main questions to understand well what could be achieved
01-27-2022 02:05 PM
If there is no Layer 2 Extention required. Then My take will be Layer 3 between Cat 9500 and Nexus.
ISE / DNS other stuff can be reached over Layer 2 network, I would be more interested to see where your WLC, (i would advise connecting to Cat 9500 ) - if you going Layer 3. between nexus and catalyst.
01-27-2022 02:14 PM
01-27-2022 02:19 PM - edited 01-27-2022 02:20 PM
There are pros and cons - so as per your information, you like to extend the VLAN, so you need to build a Layer 2 port-channel here.
and allow all the VLAN required in the port-channel.
Nexus will have all the Layer 3 SVI here..
Suggest making a small network Digram for reference to show where the service is located, you will see a clear picture.
01-27-2022 02:23 PM
01-27-2022 02:32 PM - edited 01-27-2022 02:34 PM
Yes but n7k side then ? It will be vpc with FHRP ( n7k's redundancy) ?
Suggest making a small network Digram for reference to show where the service is located, you will see a clear picture.
You have to provide more information, I have advised high-level information here.
as mentioned you need to give us more information, How many nexus, how many Cat 9500, is the cat 9500 in SVL?
is your access switches to be Dual Homed with Cat 9500
VDC is just splitting the switch into different services,
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