02-13-2011 04:15 AM - edited 03-06-2019 03:31 PM
Hi Experts,
Of the two modes of bundling- layer 2 & layer 3 etherchannel for uplinks, which one is more advantageous & any reasons one should be used over the other.
Thanks in advance.
Solved! Go to Solution.
02-13-2011 08:20 AM
Hello,
In my opinion, there is no difference between the achievable throughput with either L2 or L3 EtherChannel. The principial working of EtherChannel remains the same, whether it is L2 or L3. An EtherChannel, be it L2 or L3, carries a single flow of frames only through a single link in the EtherChannel bundle. It is only thanks to different sources and destinations of frames that they get distributed over the multiple links in the EtherChannel, thus arriving at a higher aggregate throughput. The combination of address fields used to decide which link a particular frame shall be sent through (MACs, IPs, L4 ports, their combination) is configured on a platform-wide basis and does not depend on whether the EtherChannel is configured as L2 or L3.
Best regards,
Peter
02-13-2011 04:26 AM
Hi,
Layer2 or Layer3 Etherchannel - that is not an issue of advantage, rather an issue of your needs. Where you would use a normal trunk between two switches, you can use the Layer2 Etherchannel. If you used a routed link between two devices, you can increase its bandwidth by using the Layer3 Etherchannel.
But the question really does not go "which one is better". The only question is - what do you really need?
Best regards,
Peter
02-13-2011 05:56 AM
well, i want the etherchannel to have the maxiumum achievable bandwidth & if that comes from choice of either L2 or L3, i will like to know about it.
what bandwith does a l3 channel offer compared to l2.
thanks
02-13-2011 08:20 AM
Hello,
In my opinion, there is no difference between the achievable throughput with either L2 or L3 EtherChannel. The principial working of EtherChannel remains the same, whether it is L2 or L3. An EtherChannel, be it L2 or L3, carries a single flow of frames only through a single link in the EtherChannel bundle. It is only thanks to different sources and destinations of frames that they get distributed over the multiple links in the EtherChannel, thus arriving at a higher aggregate throughput. The combination of address fields used to decide which link a particular frame shall be sent through (MACs, IPs, L4 ports, their combination) is configured on a platform-wide basis and does not depend on whether the EtherChannel is configured as L2 or L3.
Best regards,
Peter
Discover and save your favorite ideas. Come back to expert answers, step-by-step guides, recent topics, and more.
New here? Get started with these tips. How to use Community New member guide