Trunking between a Catalyst 5500 and a Catalyst 2950T

[jfiske]

I just recently discovered a problem with trunking between a Catalyst 5500 and a 2950T. (I understand that the 5500 is older and has been end-of-life'd, but it is still supported under our maintenance contract with Cisco. So, we still use it.) The problem I have discovered is that several of the modules in our 5500's will only support ISL trunking. The 2950T's, on the other hand, will only support 802.1q trunking.

So, what I am looking for is a software update for the modules in the 5500 that will allow them to talk 802.1q. Specifically, the modules that are giving us problems are WS-X5302, WS-X5224, WS-X5203, and WS-X5213A.

Thanks in advance for any help.

[Mark Turpin]

I don't believe you'll be able to use them.

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/switches/ps679/products_data_sheet09186a0080092615.html

-Mark

[jroyster]

Issue the command "show port capabilities" to see if the modules even support ISL encapsulation. You may be out of luck.

It all depends on the capabilities of the port and if the chipset used on the module can support 802.1q trunking.

-edit- what I'm trying to say is it is a hardware limitation of the chip used on the ports. If that chip can't do 802.1q encapsulation, it will never do it.

[v.hanna]

Try a "(config-if)# speed nonegotiate"