VSS - 4500 Cisco

Virtual switching system (VSS) Configuration
For Cisco 4500 series switches
Introduction: Some key point to be remembered for Cisco 4500 VSS: Prerequisite:
Configuration Steps: Verification: Reference: Catalyst Confidence: VSS on the 4500 :
Introduction:
The Cisco Virtual Switching System is a clustering technology that pools two Cisco Catalyst
4500-E Series Switches with Cisco Catalyst Supervisor Engine 7-E or 7-LE or two Catalyst
4500-X Series Switches into a single virtual switch. In a VSS, the data plane of both
clustered switches is active at the same time in both chassis. VSS members are connected
by virtual switch links (VSLs) using standard Gigabit or 10 Gigabit Ethernet connections
between the VSS members. VSLs can carry regular user traffic in addition to the control
plane communication between the VSS members.
Physical vs Logical Topology in a VSS Configuration
This document describes how to configure a virtual switching system (VSS) for the Catalyst
4500 series switch (Supervisor Engine 7-E, Supervisor Engine 7L-E).
Some key point to be remembered for Cisco 4500 VSS:
1) Configuration/Capability Supported supervisors on Catalyst 4500-E: VSS support

Supervisor Engine 7-E or 7-LE (identical pairs).For more information about hardware to
support please refer 4500 VSS Hardware requirement
Postings may contain unverified user-created content and change frequently. The content is provided as-is and
is not warrantied by Cisco.
1
Virtual switching system (VSS) Configuration For Cisco 4500 series switches
2) Software requirement: Cisco IOS XE 3.4.0SG and ROMMON IOS Version 15.0(1r) SG7
later released support VSS.(Also refer How to Upgrade Cisco 4500 SUP7-E & Sup7L-E
ROMMON To support VSS).
3) Minimum license : VSS will work with IP BASE or ENTSERVICES license; it doesn't
work with LAN BASE .For information about Software Activation Licensing please refer
Cisco Catalyst 4500E Supervisor 7-E and 7L-E and Cisco Catalyst 4500-X Series Software
Activation Licensing Deployment Guide.
4) Single-sup cross-chassis VSS support: Yes.
5) Quad-sup VSS configuration with in-chassis redundant sups: In-chassis redundant sups
in rommon mode with active uplinks.
6) It also supports 10 Gigabit Ethernet Virtual Switch Link (VSL) and 1 Gigabit Ethernet VSL.
7) SSO and nonstop forwarding (NSF) must be configured on each switch. If a VSS does not
meet the requirements for SSO redundancy; it will be incapable of establishing a relationship
with the peer switch. Catalyst 4500/4500-X series switches' VSS does not support route
processor redundancy (RPR) mode.
Prerequisite:
Before configuring VSS on Cisco 4500 please verify hardware and software requirement.
SW1#sh ver | in IOS
Cisco IOS Software, IOS-XE Software, Catalyst 4500 L3 Switch Software (cat4500e-
UNIVERSAL-M), Version 03.04.00.SG RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc3)
Cisco IOS-XE software, Copyright (c) 2005-2010, 2012 by cisco Systems, Inc.
All rights reserved. Certain components of Cisco IOS-XE software are
documentation or "License Notice" file accompanying the IOS-XE software,
or the applicable URL provided on the flyer accompanying the IOS-XE
SW1#sh ver | in ROM
2
ROM: 15.0(1r)SG7
System returned to ROM by power-on
SW1#sh license image levels
Module name Image level Priority Configured Valid license
--------------------------------------------------------------------
WS-X45-SUP7-E entservices 1 YES entservices
ipbase 2 NO ipbase
lanbase 3 NO lanbase
Module Name Role Current Level Reboot Level
--------------------------------------------------------------------
WS-X45-SUP7-E Active entservices entservices
SW2#sh ver | in IOS
Cisco IOS Software, IOS-XE Software, Catalyst 4500 L3 Switch Software (cat4500e-
UNIVERSAL-M), Version 03.04.00.SG RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc3)
Cisco IOS-XE software, Copyright (c) 2005-2010, 2012 by cisco Systems, Inc.
All rights reserved. Certain components of Cisco IOS-XE software are
documentation or "License Notice" file accompanying the IOS-XE software,
or the applicable URL provided on the flyer accompanying the IOS-XE
SW2#sh ver | in ROM
ROM: 15.0(1r)SG7
3
System returned to ROM by power-on
SW2#sh license image levels
Module name Image level Priority Configured Valid license
--------------------------------------------------------------------
WS-X45-SUP7-E entservices 1 YES entservices
ipbase 2 NO ipbase
lanbase 3 NO lanbase
Module Name Role Current Level Reboot Level
--------------------------------------------------------------------
WS-X45-SUP7-E Active entservices entservices
Configuration Steps:
STEP1: Assigning Virtual Switch Domain and Switch Numbers
First you have to configure the same virtual switch domain number on both switches of the
VSS. The virtual switch domain is a number between 1 and 255.After domain number you
must configure one switch to be switch number 1 and the other switch to be switch number
2.
SW1#conf t
Enter configuration commands, one per line. End with CNTL/Z.
4
SW1(config)#switch virtual domain 10
Domain ID 10 config will take effect only
after the exec command 'switch convert mode virtual' is issued
SW1(config-vs-domain)#switch 1
SW1(config-vs-domain)#exit
SW1(config)#
SW2#conf t
Enter configuration commands, one per line. End with CNTL/Z.
SW2(config)#switch virtual domain 10
Domain ID 10 config will take effect only
after the exec command 'switch convert mode virtual' is issued
SW2(config-vs-domain)#switch 2
SW2(config-vs-domain)#exit
SW2(config)#
STEP2: Configuring VSL Port Channel:
Then you need to configure VSL with a unique port channel on each switch. During the
conversion, the VSS configures both port channels on the VSS Active switch. If the VSS
Standby switch VSL port channel number has been configured for another use, the VSS
comes up in RPR mode. To avoid this situation, check that both port channel numbers are
available on both of the switches.
5
SW1(config)#int port-channel 5
SW1(config-if)#switchport
SW1(config-if)#switch virtual link 1
SW1(config-if)#no shut
SW1(config-if)#exit
*Jan 24 05:19:57.092: %SPANTREE-6-PORTDEL_ALL_VLANS: Port-channel5 deleted

from all Vlans
SW2(config)#int port-channel 10
SW2(config-if)#switchport
SW2(config-if)#switch virtual link 2
SW2(config-if)#no shut
SW2(config-if)#exit
SW2(config)#
*Jan 24 05:14:17.273: %SPANTREE-6-PORTDEL_ALL_VLANS: Port-channel10 deleted

from all Vlans
STEP3: configure the VSL ports
You need to add the VSL physical ports to the port channel. In the following example,
interfaces Gigabit Ethernet 7/3 and 7/4 on Switch 1 are connected to interfaces Gigabit
Ethernet 4/45 and 4/46 on Switch 2.
6
SW1(config)#int range gig7/3 - 4
SW1(config-if-range)#switchport mode trunk
SW1(config-if-range)#channel-group 5 mode on
WARNING: Interface GigabitEthernet7/3 placed in restricted config mode. All extraneous

configs removed!

configs removed!
SW1(config-if-range)#exit
SW2(config)#int range gig4/45 - 46
SW2(config-if-range)#switchport mode trunk
SW2(config-if-range)#channel-group 10 mode on

configs removed!

configs removed!
SW2(config-if-range)#exit
Note: Once the interfaces are put into VSL port-channel with “channel-group"
command, then the interfaces goes into “notconnect” status. Interface status will
show UP, but the line protocol will be down. The interface will be in UP/down (not
connect) status, till the switch is rebooted in step 4.
STEP4: Converting the Switch to Virtual Switch Mode:
7
You need to enter the “switch convert mode virtual” command on Switch 1 for
Converting to Virtual Switch Mode .After you enter this command it will prompted
to confirm the action. Enter yes. The system creates a converted configuration
file, and saves the file to the bootflash:
SW1#switch convert mode virtual
This command will convert all interface names
to naming convention "interface-type switch-number/slot/port",
save the running config to startup-config and
reload the switch.
Do you want to proceed? [yes/no]: yes
Converting interface names
Building configuration...
Compressed configuration from 6551 bytes to 2893 bytes[OK]
Saving converted configuration to bootflash: ...
Destination filename [startup-config.converted_vs-20130124-062921]?
Please stand by while rebooting the system...
Restarting system.
Rommon (G) Signature verification PASSED
Rommon (P) Signature verification PASSED
8
FPGA (P) Signature verification PASSED
Similarly you need to enter the “switch convert mode virtual” command on
Switch 2 for converting to Virtual Switch Mode.
SW2#switch convert mode virtual
This command will convert all interface names
to naming convention "interface-type switch-number/slot/port",
save the running config to startup-config and
reload the switch.
Do you want to proceed? [yes/no]: yes
Converting interface names
Building configuration...
Compressed configuration from 6027 bytes to 2774 bytes[OK]
Saving converted configuration to bootflash: ...
Destination filename [startup-config.converted_vs-20130124-052526]?
Please stand by while rebooting the system...
Restarting system.
Rommon (G) Signature verification PASSED
9
Rommon (P) Signature verification PASSED
FPGA (P) Signature verification PASSED
************************************************************
* *
* Welcome to Rom Monitor for WS-X45-SUP7-E System. *
* Copyright (c) 2008-2012 by Cisco Systems, Inc. *
* All rights reserved. *
* *
************************************************************
After you confirm the above commands on both switches, the running configuration is
automatically saved as the startup configuration and the switch reboots. After the reboot, the
switch is in virtual switch mode, so you must specify interfaces with three identifiers (switch/
module/port).
When switches are being converted to VSS, you should not set them to ignore startup-
config. If done, the switch can be enabled to parse the startup-config at the rommon prompt.
Ignoring startup-config in VSS mode causes a switch to boot in a semi-VSS mode, which
can only be corrected by a reboot and by enabling the parsing of startup-config.
Verification:
1) To displays the virtual switch domain number, and the switch number and role
for each of the switches you can use “show switch virtual” command.
10
SW1#sh switch virtual
Executing the command on VSS member switch role = VSS Active, id = 1
Switch mode : Virtual Switch
Virtual switch domain number : 10
Local switch number :1
Local switch operational role: Virtual Switch Active
Peer switch number :2
Peer switch operational role : Virtual Switch Standby
Executing the command on VSS member switch role = VSS Standby, id = 2
Switch mode : Virtual Switch
Virtual switch domain number : 10
Local switch number :2
Local switch operational role: Virtual Switch Standby
Peer switch number :1
Peer switch operational role : Virtual Switch Active
11
2) Once both switches cluster in single virtual switch, you will only have Active switch
console and your Standby switch console appears as follow:
SW2-standby>
Standby console disabled
3) To displays the role, switch number, and priority for each of the switch in the
VSS use “show switch virtual role” command.
SW1#sh switch virtual role
RRP information for Instance 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Valid Flags Peer Preferred Reserved
Count Peer Peer
--------------------------------------------------------------------
12
TRUE V 1 1 1
Switch Switch Status Preempt Priority Role Local Remote
Number Oper(Conf) Oper(Conf) SID SID
--------------------------------------------------------------------
LOCAL 1 UP FALSE(N ) 100(100) ACTIVE 0 0
REMOTE 2 UP FALSE(N ) 100(100) STANDBY 6834 6152
Peer 0 represents the local switch
Flags : V - Valid
In dual-active recovery mode: No
RRP information for Instance 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Valid Flags Peer Preferred Reserved
Count Peer Peer
13
--------------------------------------------------------------------
TRUE V 1 1 1
Switch Switch Status Preempt Priority Role Local Remote
Number Oper(Conf) Oper(Conf) SID SID
--------------------------------------------------------------------
LOCAL 2 UP FALSE(N ) 100(100) STANDBY 0 0
REMOTE 1 UP FALSE(N ) 100(100) ACTIVE 6152 6834
Peer 0 represents the local switch
Flags : V - Valid
In dual-active recovery mode: No
4) To Displays information about the VSL use “show switch virtual link”
command.
SW1#sh switch virtual link
14
VSL Status : UP
VSL Uptime : 3 minutes
VSL Control Link : Gi1/7/4
VSL Status : UP
VSL Uptime : 3 minutes
VSL Control Link : Gi2/4/45
5) You can also verify information about the VSL port channel using “show switch
virtual link port-channel”command.
SW1#sh switch virtual link port-channel
Flags: D - down P - bundled in port-channel
I - stand-alone s - suspended
H - Hot-standby (LACP only)
R - Layer3 S - Layer2
15
U - in use N - not in use, no aggregation
f - failed to allocate aggregator
M - not in use, no aggregation due to minimum links not met
m - not in use, port not aggregated due to minimum links not met
u - unsuitable for bundling
d - default port
w - waiting to be aggregated
Group Port-channel Protocol Ports
------+-------------+-----------+-------------------
5 Po5(SU) - Gi1/7/3(P) Gi1/7/4(P)
10 Po10(SU) - Gi2/4/45(P) Gi2/4/46(P)
Flags: D - down P - bundled in port-channel
I - stand-alone s - suspended
H - Hot-standby (LACP only)
16
R - Layer3 S - Layer2
U - in use N - not in use, no aggregation
f - failed to allocate aggregator
M - not in use, no aggregation due to minimum links not met
m - not in use, port not aggregated due to minimum links not met
u - unsuitable for bundling
d - default port
w - waiting to be aggregated
Group Port-channel Protocol Ports
------+-------------+-----------+-------------------
5 Po5(SU) - Gi1/7/3(P) Gi1/7/4(P)
10 Po10(SU) - Gi2/4/45(P) Gi2/4/46(P)
SW1#
Reference:
Catalyst 4500 Series Switch Software Configuration Guide, Release IOS XE 3.4.0SG and
IOS 15.1(2)SG
Catalyst Confidence: VSS on the 4500 :
17

VSS - 4500 Cisco

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Virtual switching system (VSS) Configuration

For Cisco 4500 series switches

Physical vs Logical Topology in a VSS Configuration

Some key point to be remembered for Cisco 4500 VSS:

1) Configuration/Capability Supported supervisors on Catalyst 4500-E: VSS support

4) Single-sup cross-chassis VSS support: Yes.

SW1#sh ver | in IOS

All rights reserved. Certain components of Cisco IOS-XE software are

documentation or "License Notice" file accompanying the IOS-XE software,

or the applicable URL provided on the flyer accompanying the IOS-XE

SW1#sh ver | in ROM

System returned to ROM by power-on

SW1#sh license image levels

Module name Image level Priority Configured Valid license

WS-X45-SUP7-E entservices 1 YES entservices

Module Name Role Current Level Reboot Level

WS-X45-SUP7-E Active entservices entservices

SW2#sh ver | in IOS

All rights reserved. Certain components of Cisco IOS-XE software are

documentation or "License Notice" file accompanying the IOS-XE software,

or the applicable URL provided on the flyer accompanying the IOS-XE

SW2#sh ver | in ROM

System returned to ROM by power-on

SW2#sh license image levels

Module name Image level Priority Configured Valid license

WS-X45-SUP7-E entservices 1 YES entservices

Module Name Role Current Level Reboot Level

WS-X45-SUP7-E Active entservices entservices

STEP1: Assigning Virtual Switch Domain and Switch Numbers

Enter configuration commands, one per line. End with CNTL/Z.

SW1(config)#switch virtual domain 10

Domain ID 10 config will take effect only

after the exec command 'switch convert mode virtual' is issued

Enter configuration commands, one per line. End with CNTL/Z.

SW2(config)#switch virtual domain 10

Domain ID 10 config will take effect only

after the exec command 'switch convert mode virtual' is issued

STEP2: Configuring VSL Port Channel:

SW1(config-if)#switch virtual link 1

*Jan 24 05:19:57.092: %SPANTREE-6-PORTDEL_ALL_VLANS: Port-channel5 deleted

SW2(config-if)#switch virtual link 2

*Jan 24 05:14:17.273: %SPANTREE-6-PORTDEL_ALL_VLANS: Port-channel10 deleted

STEP3: configure the VSL ports

SW1(config)#int range gig7/3 - 4

SW1(config-if-range)#switchport mode trunk

WARNING: Interface GigabitEthernet7/3 placed in restricted config mode. All extraneous

WARNING: Interface GigabitEthernet7/4 placed in restricted config mode. All extraneous

SW2(config)#int range gig4/45 - 46

SW2(config-if-range)#switchport mode trunk

WARNING: Interface GigabitEthernet4/45 placed in restricted config mode. All extraneous

WARNING: Interface GigabitEthernet4/46 placed in restricted config mode. All extraneous

STEP4: Converting the Switch to Virtual Switch Mode:

SW1#switch convert mode virtual

This command will convert all interface names

to naming convention "interface-type switch-number/slot/port",

save the running config to startup-config and

reload the switch.

Do you want to proceed? [yes/no]: yes

Converting interface names

Compressed configuration from 6551 bytes to 2893 bytes[OK]

Saving converted configuration to bootflash: ...

Destination filename [startup-config.converted_vs-20130124-062921]?

Please stand by while rebooting the system...