Protocol compatibility

[Rosa Ladera]

The goal is to introduce two Extreme switches into the Fabric core to connect with two Cisco switches.

The two Extreme 7520 switches will function both as the Fabric Core and as the interconnection point between the Extreme Fabric and the Cisco Fabric.

The Extreme switches will operate using an MLAG format called Split Multi-Link Trunking (SMLT), while the Cisco Fabric will use its proprietary MLAG implementation — the Virtual Port Channel (vPC).

Although these are different and vendor-specific MLAG implementations, they should be protocol-compatible, since the inter-switch links between the two groups will rely on LACP (IEEE 802.1AX / 802.1ad) for link aggregation and interoperability.

In summary, the topology would look as follows:

Point to Confirm

1. In the Cisco Fabric environment, the Cisco switches are currently operating in Cisco ACI mode

2. . Regardless of the MLAG technology used, can we confirm that the inter-switch connections will operate based on LACP protocol compatibility, as described above?

3. Will this architecture  run fine ?

[Translator]

Isso deve funcionar, já que (como você aponta) ambos os protocolos proprietários são projetados para apresentar um único link lógico para dispositivos downstream usando 802.1AX/ad.

Contanto que você configure a interconexão com o LACP em ambas as extremidades, a agregação de portas deverá funcionar bem mesmo que ambos os switches estejam usando protocolos proprietários para executar a agregação.

Se estiver planejando introduzir o roteamento L3 no ambiente, você deve procurar usar subinterfaces no switch Extreme e uma ACI L3Out no lado Cisco das coisas.

Espero que isso ajude.

[balaji.bandi]

I do not believe 3rd party can support enhanced vPC, so you need to create two separate vPCs here.