VPC Keepalive Configuration

[Mokhalil82]

Hi We have 2 x Nexus 7000 switches with dual sups. Currently the peer keepalive links are connected directly

N7K1 SUP1 -----------------------SUP1 N7K2

           SUP2------------------------SUP2

In case one of the supervisors switch over, the keepalive will be lost. So I want to configure a dedicated keepalive on my VDC and reuse the mgmt ports for mgmt purposes. I understand the keepalive and mgmt can be used together with an intermediary switch but dont want to go there yet.

So would I be right in saying I could create a new keepalive vrf and use 2 interfaces on my line card and build a keepalive. Configs as follows: 

CONFIGURATIONS SW1
vrf context VPC_keepalive

interface XXXX
vrf member VPC_keepalive
ip address 10.1.100.21/30

vpc domain 100
peer-keepalive destination 10.1.100.22 source 10.1.100.21 vrf VPC_keepalive

CONFIGURATIONS SW1
vrf context VPC_keepalive

interface XXXX
vrf member VPC_keepalive
ip address 10.1.100.22/30

vpc domain 100
peer-keepalive destination 10.1.100.21 source 10.1.100.22 vrf VPC_keepalive

[Mark Malone · Accepted solution]

Hi just so you are aware there are 3 ways you should do vpc keepalives this is the recommended best practices, the link below shows examples , we questioned TAC regarding these before after a lot of discussions we used no 2 through a mgmt. switch stack as we use oob as well and send all mgmt. traffic through our fws

http://www.cisco.com/c/dam/en/us/td/docs/switches/datacenter/sw/design/vpc_design/vpc_best_practices_design_guide.pdf

Strong Recommendations: When building a vPC peer-keepalive link, use the following in descending order of preference:

1. Dedicated link(s) (1-Gigabit Ethernet port is enough) configured as L3. Port-channel with 2 X 1G port is even better.

2. Mgmt0 interface (along with management traffic)

3. As a last resort, route the peer-keepalive link over the Layer 3 infrastructure

[Mokhalil82]

Thanks Mark, the document is really helpful. I have gone and setup a dedicated link and all works a treat.