Data Center

VPC

vPC Description and Terminology

Benefits of vPC

vPC is a virtualization technology that presents both Cisco Nexus 7000 Series paired devices as a unique Layer 2 logical node to access layer devices or endpoints. vPC belongs to Multichassis EtherChannel [MCEC] family of technology.

A virtual port channel (vPC) allows links that are physically connected to two different Cisco Nexus 7000 Series devices to appear as a single port channel to a third device. The third device can be a switch, server, or any other networking device that supports link aggregation technology.

vPC provides the following technical benefits:

● Eliminates Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) blocked ports

● Uses all available uplink bandwidth

● Allows dual-homed servers to operate in active-active mode

● Provides fast convergence upon link or device failure

● Offers dual active/active default gateways for servers

vPC also leverages native split horizon/loop management provided by port-channeling technology: a packet entering a port-channel cannot immediately exit that same port-channel.

NX-OS Version Requirement for vPC

vPC technology is supported since NX-OS 4.1.3. (i.e since the inception of NEXUS 7000 platform).

NX-OS License Requirement for vPC

vPC feature is included in the base NX-OS software license.