Scenario 1:3 – Multiple Simple Networks Providing Redundancy and Link Aggregation 802.3ad (LACP) with VLAN Tunneling –
VMware ESX 43
Configuring Fast MAC Cache Failover
•
When an uplink on a VC Ethernet Module that was previously in standby mode becomes active, it
can take several minutes for external Ethernet switches to recognize that the c-Class server blades
can now be reached on this newly active connection.
•
Enabling Fast MAC Cache Failover forces Virtual Connect to transmit Ethernet packets on newly
active links, which enables the external Ethernet switches to identify the new connection (and update
their MAC caches appropriately). This transmission sequence repeats a few times at the MAC refresh
interval (five seconds is the recommended interval) and completes in about one minute.
Note: Fast MAC Cache Fail-over is less critical with this scenario, as no uplinks are configured in
standby mode, all uplinks are active.
Configuring the VC Module for VLAN Tunneling via GUI (Ethernet settings)
Enable Tunnel VLAN Tags within Virtual Connect
•
On the Virtual Connect Manager screen, Left pane, click Ethernet Settings, Advanced Settings
•
Select Tunnel VLAN Tags
•
Select Fast MAC Cache Fail-over with a refresh of 5
•
Select Apply
Configuring the VC Module for VLAN Tunneling via CLI (Ethernet settings)
The following command can be copied and pasted into an SSH based CLI session with Virtual Connect;
# Set Advanced Ethernet Settings to "Tunnel VLAN Tags" and Enable Fast MAC cache fail-over
set enet-vlan vlantagcontrol=Tunnel
set mac-cache Enabled=True Refresh=5
Figure 1-34
Ethernet Settings.