EtherChannel and PortChannel

[cbenenhaley]

What exactly is the functional difference between EtherChannel and PortChannel?  I thought they were one-in-the-same...  Thanks in advance.

[Joseph W. Doherty]

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Posting

I don't believe there is a functional difference.

Etherchannel is what Cisco called Ethernet link bond way back.  Portchannel is the interface name often used on current equipment to support Etherchannel.

[cbenenhaley]

Just making sure...Thanks!

[Greg Smalley]

Etherchannel is a term used by Cisco to describe a link aggregation.  Port-channel is the name of Cisco's virtual interface for the purpose of Link aggregation.  Both these terms are often interchanged to describe the same thing "link aggregation".  For an example, on IOS the command to show your link aggregates is "show etherchannel summary" however on Nexus the command is "show port-channel summary".  

As far as type of link aggregates, you can create EtherChannels using PAgP, LACP, or static on.  PAgP being Cisco's proprietary protocol and LACP being the open standard.

-Smalley

[cbenenhaley]

I figured as much, but I wanted to make sure.  Thanks!