Heads up on Virtual Switching System (VSS) On 4506 with Sup 7E

[D Prasanna Kumar Reddy]

Hi All,

I have got a 4506 Switch which is UP and Running now.

Now we are introducing another 4506 With Sup 7E, And purchased another Sup 7E for Existing 4506 (Currently OLD 4506 is running with Sup 6E).

I would like to configure VSS in between those switches. I have studied few documents, But came across with following questions 

1. Should i need to configure same Config on NEW 4506 and Configure a Port Channel, Then enable VSS on it ? Or Primary 4506 will configure  the NEW one ?

2. Should it require any additional licences ? 

3 What are all the other challenges i would face while doing some Migration ? Could anyone share their experiences ? Any Best practices ?

Thanks in Advance 

Prasanna Kumar D

[Reza Sharifi · Accepted solution]

Hi,

1. Should i need to configure same Config on NEW 4506 and Configure a Port Channel, Then enable VSS on it ? Or Primary 4506 will configure  the NEW one ?

Initially you configure the VSL Portchannels and other configs on both switches.  Once you convert to VSS, from that point forward you only configure the primary switch (switch1).

2. Should it require any additional licences ? 

No, just make sure the current licenses on both switches are the same.

3 What are all the other challenges i would face while doing some Migration ? Could anyone share their experiences ? Any Best practices ?

If the switches are in production, you will need downtime to convert to VSS as it will require you to reboot them.  Also, make sure to make a good backup of your current config because after converting to VSS, the config will be gone and you need to modify and apply the config one section at a time.

HTH

[D Prasanna Kumar Reddy]

Great Reza - Many Thanks,

So, You mean - I would lost all configuration after converting them to VSS ?

Do i need to configure each and every aspect again on that Single Virtual device (After VSS) ?

Thanks in Advance 

Prasanna Kumar D

[Reza Sharifi · Accepted solution]

Hi,

Yes, you would lose all the existing config once you convert to VSS. That is why I said you need to have good backup so you can put them back after modifying it.  For example:

If you have a device that currently connects to port 3/1 on the single switch, after the conversion the same port number will be 1/3/1 and so the old config has to be modified and now apply to port 1/3/1.

Do i need to configure each and every aspect again on that Single Virtual device (After VSS) ?

No, think of VSS as one device. So, you apply your config to the primary and the primary will sync it to the backup.  It is like stacking on the 38xx switches.  You just apply the config to the master.

HTH

[D Prasanna Kumar Reddy]

Great Reza - Many Thanks 

[Reza Sharifi]

Glad to help.

Good luck and thanks for the rating.

Reza

[Reza Sharifi]

And one more thing.  Make sure both switches have the same exact IOS before starting with VSS.

Reza

[Jiri Votruba]

Currently I have only one 4507R+E in production. I need to move to a new building where I'd like to setup two 4507 running in VSS mode (using the production 4507 and buying a second one) but the first 4507 can't be moved prior to the move. Can I setup the new switch in the new building as primary VSS unit and run it like that even though it doesn't really have a partner switch until I am able to take the production 4507 down and bring it over to the new building?