Portchannel Limitations - Cisco MDS 9000 Series Configuration Manual

Configuring Fibre Channel Interfaces

PortChannel Limitations

Note Generation 1 and Generation 2 modules are not supported in Cisco MDS NX-OS Release 8.1(x).
PortChannels have the following restrictions:
• The maximum number of PortChannels allowed is 256 if all switching modules are Generation 2 or
• The maximum number of PortChannels allowed is 128 whenever there is a Generation 1 switching
• Ports need to be configured in dedicated rate mode on the Generation 2 and Generation 3 switching
• Cisco MDS 9700 48-Port 32-Gbps Fibre Channel Switching Module (DS-X9648-1536K9) supports 32
The Generation1, Generation 2, and Generation 3 modules have the following restrictions for PortChannel
configuration:
• Generation 1 switching module interfaces do not support auto speed with a maximum of 2 Gbps.
• Generation 1 and Generation 2 module interfaces do not support auto speed with maximum of 4 Gbps.
• Generation 2 and Generation 3 switching module interfaces cannot be forcefully added to a PortChannel
Note Before adding a Generation 2 or Generation 3 interface to a PortChannel, use the show port-resources module
command to check for resource availability.
When configuring PortChannels on switches with Generation 1, Generation 2, and Generation 3 switching
modules, follow one of these procedures:
• Configure the PortChannel, and then configure the Generation 2 and Generation 3 interfaces to auto with
• Configure the Generation 1 switching modules followed by the Generation 2 switching modules, and
When configuring PortChannels on switches with only Generation 2 and Generation 3 switching modules,
follow one of these procedures:
• Configure the PortChannel, and then configure the Generation 3 interfaces to auto with a maximum of
• Configure the Generation 2 switching modules, followed by the Generation 3 switching modules, and
Generation 3, or both.
module in use with a Generation 2 or Generation 3 switching module.
module interfaces to be used in the PortChannel.
Gbps, 16 Gbps, 8 Gbps, and 4 Gbps speed. However, a single 32-Gbps SFP supports only 32 Gbps, 16
Gbps, and 8 Gbps speed and a single 16-Gbps SFP supports only 16 Gbps, 8 Gbps, and 4 Gbps speed.
You must not configure speed values other than the values recommended for these SFPs.
if sufficient resources are not available.
a maximum of 2 Gbps.
then the Generation 3 switching modules, and then configure the PortChannel.
4 Gbps.
then configure the PortChannel.
Cisco MDS 9000 Series Interfaces Configuration Guide, Release 8.x
PortChannel Limitations
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