VSS Pair Using CWDM

iwearing · ‎01-10-2011

Hi,

Can anybody advise whether it is possible to create a VSS pair using CWDM.

The scenario is 2 Data Centres with 2 Dark Fibres between them. Each DC has a 6509 capable of VSS. A CWDM-MUX8A and EWDM-MUX8 for 10GB connectivity would be installed at each DC terminating the dark Fibres. Can the VSL link and also Fast Hello Dual Active link be configured in such a deployment.

thanks

Ian.

rahurao · ‎01-10-2011

Hi Iwearing,

I do not see any issues with the same. They are different which each other. A CWDM actually is a binding of singnals and VSL is for the configuration of the VSS.

All we need to make sure that we have connectivity after we have the switches installed and we can get the VSL and the Fast hello dual active configured.

Here is a link for reference:

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps9336/products_tech_note09186a0080a7c837.shtml#vsl_llr

HTH

Rahul

rtjensen4 · ‎01-10-2011

I know there are limitations to what ports are able to be used for the VSL. I don't have the link handy, but if I find it I will post. I know it's on the jungle that is Cisco's site somewhere.

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/customer/prod/collateral/switches/ps5718/ps9336/prod_qas0900aecd806ed74b.html

Check out the "Q. What makes up the VSS?" section

Message was edited by: rtjensen4 Found and added the link.

rahurao · ‎01-10-2011

Hi RT,

I checkded the limitation section of the same links and only found:

Flexible deployment options. The underlying physical switches do not have to be colocated. The two physical switches are connected with standard 10 Gigabit Ethernet interfaces and as such can be located any distance based on the distance limitation of the chosen 10 Gigabit Ethernet optics. For example, with X2-10GB-ER 10 Gigabit Ethernet optics, the switches can be located up to 40 km apart.

So i am not sure what limitations more are we talking about

HTH

Rahul

rtjensen4 · ‎01-10-2011

From the section I mentioned:

Q. What makes up the VSS?

A. The VSS is made up of the following:

• Virtual switch members: Cisco Catalyst 6500 Series Switches (up to two switches with initial release) deployed with the Virtual Switching Supervisor 720 10GE

• Virtual switch link (VSL): 10 Gigabit Ethernet connections (up to eight using EtherChannel) between the virtual switch members. The 10 Gigabit Ethernet connections have to be one or more of the following modules:

– Virtual Switching Supervisor 720 10GE: 10 Gigabit Ethernet uplink ports

– WS-X6708-10G module: any 10 Gigabit Ethernet port

– WS-X6716-10G module: only non-oversubscribed ports can be used for VSL (supported with 12.2(33)SXI)

VSLs can carry regular data traffic in addition to the control plane communication between the two virtual switch members. The distance of VSL link is limited only by the chosen 10 Gigabit Ethernet optics. For example, with a X2-10GB-ER optic, VSL can span distance up to 40 km. (See Figure 3.)

And further down under hardware / software requirements:

VSL Ports: 10 Gigabit Ethernet Ports

• Virtual Switching Supervisor 720-10GE

• WS-X6708-10G-3C and WS-X6708-10G-3CXL

• WS-X6716-10G-3C and WS-X6708-10G-3CXL**

The mentioned modules are the only ones supported for forming VSL

rtjensen4 · ‎01-10-2011

OK OK, I think I must admit defeat on this one. Seems I was misunderstanding the query and thought the CWDM was a module in

the 6500 vs an SFP. Theoretically it should work.

rahurao · ‎01-10-2011

HI,

Exactly,

That is what we were trying to get confused with.

I hope following documents will be useful:

Cisco WDM Series Passive Optical System Installation Note:
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/modules/ps4999/prod_module_installation_guide09186a00802ce5c3.html


Cisco CWDM GBIC and SFP Solution:
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/modules/ps5455/products_data_sheet09186a00801a557c.html

HTH

Rahul

iwearing · ‎01-11-2011

Hi,

Thanks for the updates.

It appears that the connectivity is possible using CWDM/EWDM in between the VSS pair.

However are there any real benefits having the VSS pair in different physical locations. It is not possible to use MEC. I can have 1 logical 6500 and simplify the Routing configuration etc.

Ian.