Ask Molly
“For increased bandwidth, can I configure Etherchannel between my Unix server and two Cisco switches, considering I have two single connection network interface cards installed?”
Stanley J. – Grand Rapids, MI
Hi Stanley,
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but with your current setup the answer is no.
What Etherchannel does is combine multiple physical links - two or more - on the same equipment into a single logical channel. That said, what Etherchannel does not do is span switches.
To create the configuration you’re looking for there are really only two options:
1) Configure a single Etherchannel connection between the Unix server and a single switch, or
2) Increase the number of physical ports in your Unix server to four, allowing you to establish two Etherchannel connections, one to each switch.
I’m sure this isn’t exactly the answer you were hoping for, but at least you have options, right?
Good luck!
-Molly