Protocol compatibility

[Translator]

The goal is to introduce two Extreme switches into the Fabric core to connect with two Cisco switches.

The two Extreme 7520 switches will function both as the Fabric Core and as the interconnection point between the Extreme Fabric and the Cisco Fabric.

The Extreme switches will operate using an MLAG format called Split Multi-Link Trunking (SMLT), while the Cisco Fabric will use its proprietary MLAG implementation — the Virtual Port Channel (vPC).

Although these are different and vendor-specific MLAG implementations, they should be protocol-compatible, since the inter-switch links between the two groups will rely on LACP (IEEE 802.1AX / 802.1ad) for link aggregation and interoperability.

In summary, the topology would look as follows:

Point to Confirm

1. In the Cisco Fabric environment, the Cisco switches are currently operating in Cisco ACI mode

2. .. Regardless of the MLAG technology used, can we confirm that the inter-switch connections will operate based on LACP protocol compatibility, as described above?

3. Will this architecture run fine?

[Ben Weber]

This should work, given that (as you point out) both propietary protocols are designed to present a single logical link to downstream devices using 802.1AX/ad.

As long as you configure the interconnect with LACP on both ends, the port aggregation should work fine even though both switches are using proprietary protocols to perform the aggregation.

If you are planning on introducing L3 routing into the environment, you should look to use subinterfaces on the Extreme switch and an ACI L3Out on the Cisco side of things.

Hope that helps.

[Translator]

I do not believe 3rd party can support enhanced vPC, so you need to create two separate vPCs here.

[Translator]

I do not believe 3rd party can support enhanced vPC, so you need to create two separate vPCs here.