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How to configure etherchannel trunk between ESXi hosts and Cisco 2960 switch?

This is using 2 VMware ESXi 6.5 hosts. There are 5 VMs per host. We are intend to have 1 vlan for management, 1 for backup segment, and 1 for the production segment. we intend to configure a NIC teaming on 2 physical network (vmnic0 & 1) port per host. Respective port-group for each vlan id were created. 101 for production, 121 for mgmt, and 122 for backup. All 3 port groups joined to the same vswitch0. Load-balancing mode is, Route based on IP hash.

This ESXi Hosts are connected to Cisco Catalyst 2960-48-port switch. The Ethernet channels were configured as follows,

int port-channel 1
switchport trunk allowed vlan 101,121,122
switchport mode trunk

int gigabitethernet1/15
switchport trunk native vlan 101
switchport trunk encap dot1q
switchport trunk allowed vlan 101,121,122
switchport mode trunk
channel-group 1 mode on

int gigabitethernet1/16
switchport trunk native vlan 101
switchport trunk encap dot1q
switchport trunk allowed vlan 101,121,122
switchport mode trunk
channel-group 1 mode on

Do these configurations work?

Thank in advance.

Sajid Shaik M

please check this link for answer

https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/29117210/Use-Switch-in-the-place-of-TRUNK-link-between-router-and-server.html

all the best

Andrew Hancock (VMware vExpert PRO / EE Fellow/British Beekeeper)

Yes, at quick glance, that looks like the correct configuration.

Make sure you also set the vSwitch in ESXi to Route based on IP hash.

Also make sure you create the various Virtual Machine Portgroups with the correct VLAN Tag.

MichaelBalack

ASKER

Hi Sajid,

Found the difference.

It looks like you are configure vlan 1 to be the native vlan without tag. In switch, you configured "switchport trunk native vlan 1", and other vlans must be in "switchport trunk allowed ...". Then for the vlan 1 in ESXi, you configured vlan 1 with vlan id 0.

My question is, can I replace this vlan 1 with 101, and set the vlan 101 with vlan id 0 in ESXi?

Sajid Shaik M

see the vlan 1 is the default vlan on the switch ... so when you trunk port to default then you have to go with only vlan 1

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

Andrew Hancock (VMware vExpert PRO / EE Fellow/British Beekeeper)

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MichaelBalack

ASKER

Hi Andrew,

Thanks for your comments on the native vlan on cisco switch, and matching with those set in ESXi port-group.

MichaelBalack