VSS with Cisco 6509

[Debudas123]

Hi, 

  I have 4 nos of 6509 switch. 

   I want to configure VSS between two switches with virtual domain 10, and other two with the virtual domain 20.

Now my question is,  can I configure HSRP between this two different  VSS ? 

Thanks 

Debabrata Das

[Mark Malone]

Hi

Yes its possible but its not a standard design , VSS was created to overcome the limitations of HSRP , would you not think of GLBP instead , your going to have a whole VSS setup in standby mode , that's an expensive setup of kit to be doing nothing just waiting to take over , I would try and use a design that at least keeps both units logically active , I haven't tested this VSS side by side but it should work in theory as 1 unit  , we use VSS just as the core standalone there pretty resilient anyway setup without using 2 VSS design together

[Debudas123]

Okay. 

  Then what will be the best solution/design ?

 I have already 4 nos. of 6509E.

Please suggest..

Thanks

Debabrata

[Mark Malone]

whats your design setup currently are you core /dist/access or collapsed core

If its collapsed you could integrate a distribution layer , vss at the core , 2 6500s as the dist then your access layer hanging off the distribution switches , servers connected to the dist switches , pc/phones edge devices etc connected to the access

[Debudas123]

Okay.. 

  Then what configuration is requited for distribution area ? Ether channel ?

Thanks 

Debabrata

[Mark Malone]

They should have specked the network before buying something so expensive if not required , sounds like someone with lot spare cash or tax payer money :)

Yes ether channel split to each VSS switch for full resiliency from the dist switches , that's the way we have our VSS setup bundled over the 2 units

32     Po32(SU)        LACP      Gi1/7/45(P)    Gi2/7/45(P)

[Debudas123]

Hi, 

 Three ring network also is there..

1.  Starting from 1st 6509E end 2nd 6509E - North Ring

2. Starting from 3rd 6509E end 4th 6509E- South Ring

2. Starting from 3rd 6509E end 4th 6509E- East Ring

1st and 2nd 6509E is installed in Server Room (Core Area)

3rd and 4th 6509E is installed in Main Control Room. 

Thanks

Debabrata 

[patoberli]

Do you even need the additional two 6509 chassis?

I mean, do you have line cards which don't fit in the other two or is there any reason to actually use them (they do use a lot of power)?

If not, sell them or use them as a distribution layer, also with activated VSS (to overcome spanning-tree limitations).

[Debudas123]

Hi, 

 Customer already purchased 4 nos. of 6509E. 

Thanks

Debabrata

[patoberli]

Still no reason to use them... also why buy such expensive devices without first having requirements....

Anyway, in that case go for Marks suggestion, or for this:

http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/switches/catalyst-6500-virtual-switching-system-1440/prod_qas0900aecd806ed74b.html

See figure 2 for how to connect a VSS distribution to a VSS core.

[Debudas123]

Okay ..

 If I configure 2 switch as  VSS core and rest 2 as VSS distribution..

what is the connectivity diagram ?

and please mentioned if any additional configure is require?

Thanks

Debabrata 

[patoberli]

You configure each pair as a VSS pair. Once this is done, you create an Etherchannel with 1-2 ports on each 6509 on each VSS pair. That's it.

Like it is shown here in figure 2: http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/switches/catalyst-6500-virtual-switching-system-1440/prod_qas0900aecd806ed74b.html

Depending on your performance requirements you take 1 or 2 ports per 6509. You don't need to connect VSS-group1 with VSS-group2 over cross, because the VSS link between each VSS-group will transmit the traffic if one of the 4 6509 goes down.

[Debudas123]

Okay 

for example i have switch A,B,C and D..

A and B is in VSS-group1 (port 1-2 communicate with each switch)

C and D is in VSS-group2 (port 1-2 communicate with each switch)

then what configuration is required for communication between A and C or D, vice versa .

Thanks

Debabrata

[patoberli]

For VSS links (VSL) you need 4 times 10 Gbps ports (at least in the past you needed 40 gigs between Switch A and B).

Once the two separate VSS groups work you connect them together like this:

A <--> C - 2 cables (say Port 7 + 8 on A and on C)

B <--> D - 2 cables (say Port 7 + 8 on B and on D)

Port A7 + A8 + B7 + B8 into the same Etherchannel

Port B7 + B8 + D7 + D8 into the same Etherchannel

Done.

You could also cross one of the cables, but that is only required if you want to increase the redundancy for cases of special power outages, but it shouldn't be needed.

[Debudas123]

Okay ..

 Then i need 8 nos of 10G

A-B 2 10G

A-C 2 10G

-----------------

C-D  2 10G

B-D  2 10G

and VSS configuration require only for between A-B and C-D... rest of the connections are normal ether channel... Am i right ?

Thanks

Debabrata