Cisco 6500 Question

[rshiva62]

Hi all,

We have two data centers (Site A and Site B). Each site has two Catalyst 6506 switches (single SUP module at each site) .   These catalysts at both sites function independently.  We have VMware ESXi hosts at both sites and connect to either of the catalyst switches.  These are all 1Gig links. 

We have a requirement to increase to 2Gig. We are purchasing additional NIC's for the ESXi hosts. Would we need to purchase additional SUP modules so that we would have one connection from NIC 1 to CAT1 and another connection from NIC2 to CAT2? If so, what is this technology called? Is it VSS or Port channel?

[Hector Gustavo Serrano Gutierrez]

You may be able create a VSS cluster by bundling two Catalyst 6506 chassis in any of your sites.
This VSS feature makes both Catalyst 6506 chassis act as a single and unique device from configuration, control plane and data plane perspective.
You can then connect your ESXi host (or any LACP capable server or network device) bundling your links in a Port-Channel (aka Etherchannel) using the LACP protocol.
Since the port channel is using individual links each to a different chassis, it is called MEC (Multi-chassis EtherChanel).
More information about VSS can be found via
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/lan/catalyst6500/ios/12-2SX/configuration/guide/book/vss.htm

[rshiva62]

One question is do we really need two SUP modules in a switch for VSS? OR Can we do with one SUP module?

[Reza Sharifi]

Hi,

To run VSS, you need specific sup like Sup-720-VS, 2T, 6T, etc.. What type of sup do you have?

HTH

[rshiva62]

The existing switches have VS-SUP2T-10G. Is it possible to do VSS with this? We only have single SUP module and procuring additional SUP module. But please can someone confirm we can do VSS?

Also are there any designs to refer for this setup I am referring? 

[Reza Sharifi]

 Is it possible to do VSS with this

Yes, absolutely. No need to have 2 sups in each chassis. All you need is one sup in each chassis to do VSS. 

here is the design guide

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/lan/catalyst6500/ios/15-1SY/config_guide/sup2T/15_1_sy_swcg_2T/virtual_switching_systems.html

HTH

[rshiva62]

Thanks Reza Sharifi. 

So we don't need to have two SUP module for VSS. 

What is the advantages of having second SUP module?

[Reza Sharifi]

Hi,

No, you just need one sup in each chassis. I have not being able to find a good reason for having 2 sups per chassis as when the first sup fails in a chassis, it will switch to other chassis anyway and not the second sup on the same chassis. So, overall it is much cleaner to use one sup per chassis for VSS and it works very well.

HTH

[rshiva62]

Thank you Reza Sharifi. 

We have two data centers and for one of the data centers our customer is insisting that we have dual SUP in each CAT. So, I believe they are insisting that we have dual SUP and then do VSS. 

For the other data center, it will be VSS with just single SUP. 

I had another question. 

Our VMware ESXi hosts are single path directly to our CAT switches. These are all 1Gig links. We want to increase to 2Gig internally within the LAN and purchasing additional NIC for the ESXi hosts. If we connect one host to one switch and another host to another switch and use LACP, will that increase the B/W?

[Reza Sharifi · Accepted solution]

Our VMware ESXi hosts are single path directly to our CAT switches. These are all 1Gig links. We want to increase to 2Gig internally within the LAN and purchasing additional NIC for the ESXi hosts. If we connect one host to one switch and another host to another switch and use LACP, will that increase the B/W?

Yes, defiantly. For high availability, all ESXi hosts should be connected to both 6500 switches. LACP is standard and it is supported by both VMware and Cisco. 

Please rate all helpful posts and mark the post as answered so others can benefit from it.

HTH