Configuring Cisco Express Forwarding - Cisco Catalyst 4500 Series Software Configuration Manual

Configuring Cisco Express Forwarding

This chapter describes Cisco Express Forwarding (CEF) on the switch. It also provides guidelines,
procedures, and examples to configure this feature.
This chapter includes the following major sections:
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For complete syntax and usage information for the switch commands used in this chapter, see the
Note
Cisco IOS Command Reference Guides for the Catalyst 4500 Series
If a command is not in the Cisco Catalyst 4500 Series Switch Command Reference , you can locate it in
the
About CEF
This section contains information on the two primary components that comprise the CEF operation:
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CEF Features
CEF is advanced Layer 3 IP switching technology that optimizes performance and scalability for large
networks with dynamic traffic patterns or networks with intensive web-based applications and
interactive sessions.
CEF provides the following features:
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About CEF, page 36-1
Catalyst 4500 Series Switch Implementation of CEF, page 36-3
CEF Configuration Restrictions, page 36-6
Configuring CEF, page 36-6
Monitoring and Maintaining CEF, page 36-8
Cisco IOS Master Command List, All
CEF Features, page 36-1
Forwarding Information Base, page 36-2
Adjacency Tables, page 36-2
Improves performance over the caching schemes of multilayer switches, which often flush the entire
cache when information changes in the routing tables.
Catalyst 4500 Series Switch, Cisco IOS Software Configuration Guide - Cisco IOS XE 3.9.xE and IOS 15.2(5)Ex
C H A P T E R
Releases.
36
Switch.
36-1