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Software Configuration Guide—Release IOS XE 3.6.0E and IOS 15.2(2)SG
OL-30933-01
Chapter 5 Configuring Virtual Switching Systems
Configuring a VSS
Note Both switches are directly connected to each other using Layer 3 physical interfaces and are reachable
through these interfaces. These physical interfaces are candidate VSL interfaces and are displayed in a
list of "potential" VSL interfaces in the output of the vsl ? command in easy-vss mode. This output also
displays a list of indirectly-reachable Layer 3 interfaces.
Cisco IOS XE 3.6.0E (IOS 15.2(2)E) only supports reachability using a default route. Management and
user-created VRF are not supported.
Note Switches are reachable to each other through management interfaces. Reachability to neighboring
switches using a management interface isn't supported although the management interface appears in the
candidate VSL list.
Switches can be Layer 3 reachable indirectly but directly connected. The directly-connected physical
interfaces display in the output of the vsl? command, which displays all switches that have direct
physical connections.
Alternatively, you can make a physical interface Layer 3 “capable” (i.e., make two switches reachable
via directly connected Layer 3 links), by performing the following steps on both switches (A and B):
On Switch-A
Switch-A(config)# int G2/15
Switch-A(config-if)# no switchport
Switch-A(config-if)# ip address 5.5.5.6 255.255.255.0
On Switch-B
Switch-B(config)# int G3/15
Switch-B(config-if)# no switchport
Switch-B(config-if)# ip address 5.5.5.5 255.255.255.0
Ping 5.5.5.6 from switch-B
Issuing the switch convert mode easy-virtual-switch exec command on a VSS active switch displays
a list of potential VSS standby switches - those that are directly connected and hardware compatible.
From the displayed list, the sub-command vsl ? derives input from interfaces that belong to the switch
where we are executing the command.
Command Purpose
Step 1
Switch(config)# interface interface
Selects interface and switches to interface
configuration mode.
Step 2
Switch(config-if)# no switchport
Converts the switch to a Layer 3 interface.
Step 3
Switch(config-if)# ip add a.a.a.a b.b.b.b
Configures an IP address for temporary use.
Step 4
Switch(config-if)# exit
Exits interface configuration mode.