Ethernet over MPLS on Catalyst 6500

[agata.czekalska]

Hi Everybody!

I decided to set up the thread because I did not find the clear answer in Cisco documentation to following question:

Is it a must to configure Ethernet over MPLS in VLAN mode on the subinterfaces on Catalyst 6500 series switch?.

I try to configure EoMPLS between MRV 9000 series and Cisco Catalyst 6500 series switches.

I will be grateful for the certain answer.

Best regards,

Agata Czekalska

Technical University of Lodz.

[lloyd_andrew]

Agata,

VLAN-based Ethernet over MPLS should be configured on subinterfaces.

See link below.

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/switches/lan/catalyst6500/ios/12.2SXF/native/configuration/guide/pfc3mpls.html#wp1252154

HTH.

-Lloyd

[agata.czekalska]

Hi Lloyd and other Folks!!!

I configured EoMPLS between MRV 900 series switch and Cisco Catalyst 6500 switch.

On the MRV side VC status is active and VC Out interface is known.

But on the Catalyst switch VC status is down and output interface is uknown as well as Tunnel label is not ready.

VC labels are exchanged between two peers.

I configured Catalyst to perform EoMPLS in the following way:

!

interface GigabitEthernet3/26

no ip address

switchport

switchport trunk encapsulation dot1q

switchport trunk allowed vlan 998

switchport mode trunk

!

interface Vlan998

no ip address

xconnect 172.30.31.3 500 encapsulation mpls

Andrew you wrote that VLAN-based Ethernet over MPLS should be configured on subinterfaces.

In this cisco document you are writing about is written that EoMPLS is not supported on Layer 3 VLAN interface.

And further is written that we must configure VLAN-based EoMPLS on subinterfaces.

So I'm still wondering if it is a must as far as you wrote we should.

I'm talking all the time about CE-facing interface.

So I've tried to configure VC on the subinterface and Cisco rejected the command which enables the subinterface to accept 802.1Q VLAN packets, because the switch is in VTP server mode.

Cisco software advise to change VTP mode to Transparent. But this is the VTP server as I wrote.

I also got some information that I can not have EoMPLS and local switching at the same time.

As I guess now I have such situation. But I would like to confirm this statemenet by You Guys.

Maybe that is why VC is down, because on Vlan 998 hardware is EoMPLS and

on the GigabitEthernet 3/26 interface hardware is Ethernet.

As a CE device I've got D-link. This is test implementation.

Maybe there is something wrong on D-link configuration.

At last I want to write that between two MRV devices Vlan-based VC works.

Also Port-based VC between MRV and Cisco is fine.

If You need current topology or any other information I'm waiting.

As always I'm grateful and open for every comment, idea, suggestion.

Sending greetings,

Agata Czekalska

Technical University of Lodz

[jon]

Hi

I would not expect xconnect on a interface Vlan to work OK. Not supported, need OSM cards or ES cards(for 7600)

Hav you tried MUX UNI? Don't know if it is supported on 6500.

****************************************

This example for the 7600-MUX-UNI Support on LAN Cards feature shows a physical trunk port used as UNI:

interface Fastethernet3/1

switchport

switchport encapsulation dot1q

switchport mode trunk

switchport trunk allowed VLAN 200-250

interface Fastethernet3/1.10

encap dot1q 3000

xconnect 10.0.0.1 3000 encapsulation mpls

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/routers/7600/ios/12.2SR/configuration/guide/pfc3mpls.html#wp1406020

Jon

[shivlu jain]

Hi Jon

what about L2TPv3? Does 7600 lan support it or not?

regards

shivlu jain

[agata.czekalska]

John,

If You make me 100% sure tha LAN Cards DO NOT SUPPORT EoMPLS in VLAN mode, because you write you do not expect.

Are there any other solutions except buying o proper adapter (such SPA)to configure EoMPLS on Catalyst 6500 switch?

Best regards,

Agata Czekalska

Technical University of Lodz

[Giuseppe Larosa]

Hello Agatha,

you should be able to use xconnect on a physical port or on a vlan subinterface of a port

see

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/switches/lan/catalyst6500/ios/12.2SXF/native/configuration/guide/pfc3mpls.html#wp1110361

Configuring PFC3BXL or PFC3B Mode VLAN-Based EoMPLS

When configuring PFC3BXL or PFC3B mode VLAN-based EoMPLS, follow these guidelines and restrictions:

•The AToM control word is not supported.

•Ethernet packets with hardware-level cyclic redundancy check (CRC) errors, framing errors, and runt packets are discarded on input.

•>>>>You must configure VLAN-based EoMPLS on subinterfaces.

so if you have PFC 3B or better you should be able to do this.

Edit:

I see there are problems with VTP mode server.

I'm afraid you need to make a choice here.

Hope to help

Giuseppe

[agata.czekalska]

Hi Giuseppe and other Folks!!!

I would like You to ask if MUX-UNI is an IOS feature or maybe it is a hardware?

And if Cisco Catalyst 6500 series switch supports it?

Best regards,

Agata Czekalska

Welcome to the Human Network

[Giuseppe Larosa]

Hello Agata,

PFC based = hardware based then also a minimum IOS version may be required.

However, it should be an efficient implementation.

By the way, this is explained in Jon's post.

see

This example for the 7600-MUX-UNI Support on LAN Cards feature shows a physical trunk port used as UNI:

xconnect 10.0.0.1 3000 encapsulation mpls

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/routers/7600/ios/12.2SR/configuration/guide/pfc3mpls.html#wp1406020

Hope to help

Giuseppe

[agata.czekalska]

Giuseppe!

I understand that PFC is a piece of hardware, but I did not realize that PFC = MUX UNI. I thouht that MUX maybe software feature, but as soon as it is multiplexer it must be a device.

I have clarity now. Thank You Guys for being helpul and patient for beginner in Networking World namly me.

Anyway, welcome to the Human Network.

Best regards,

Agata Czekalska

Technical University of Lodz