PORT /ETHER CHANNEL CONCEPT

[knaik99]

is there any rule that only link in even number i.e.2,4,6,8 can be bundled?

Can we bundle link in odd manner for ether channel?

[marce1000]

 - You could but the hashing algorithms work better for an even number of ports :

                  https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/thread/27006

 M.

[Joseph W. Doherty]

Further, the older hashing algorithm works best for a power of 2 number of ports, 2, 4 and 8, not just for even numbers, as can seen in the reference.

Also if the device supports the 256 link hashing, it should do better balancing across links, including odd numbers, or those that are not powers of 2.

For more details see:
tables 4 and 5 in: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/switches/catalyst-6500-series-switches/white_paper_c11-663636.html#_Toc292948201

You might find interest in this old post: https://community.cisco.com/t5/switching/etherchannel-hash-bit-buckets-and-load-balancing-across-member/td-p/2214875

[knaik99]

But if we create port channel of 3 then will it work practically or will create issue for operations team?

[Joseph W. Doherty]

It should work and don't see why it should cause any operation team issues beyond its usage stats may lag the two other links.