Configuring core 1 and core 2

The steps in this section are for configuring core 1 and core 2 as shown in Sample VSX solution topology.

After completing these steps, configure the aggregate 1 and aggregate 2 switches in your network topology, as described in Configuring aggregate 1 and aggregate 2 switches. Then, enable VSX configuration synchronization for a feature, as described in Enabling VSX configuration synchronization for a feature.

A VSX LAG supports a maximum of four member links per switch segment. A VSX LAG across a downstream switch can have at most a total of eight member links. Run the show capacities command for the maximum number of VSX LAGs supported for your type of switch. A VSX LAG must be LACP-based. A non-LACP/static VSX LAG is not supported.

The core can be third-party devices, as long as they support LACP for downstream connectivity to the VSX LAG. VSX synchronization syncs from the primary switch (aggregate 1) to the secondary switch (aggregate-2).

NOTE:

When creating a VSX LAG, select an equal number of member links in each segment for load balancing, such as four member links (one segment) and four member links (another segment). Do not create a VSX LAG with six member links in one switch and two member links on another segment.

Procedure

Access the prompt on the switch you want to make the primary core switch:
```
switch# config
```
If the switch does not have a hostname, create one:
```
switch(config)# hostname <HOSTNAME>
```
Create the required VLANS:
```
switch(config)# vlan 1-20
```

Enable OSPFv2:

switch(config)# router ospf 1
switch(config-ospf-1)# redistribute connected
switch(config-ospf-1)# area 0.0.0.0

Enable OSPFv3:

switch(config)# router ospfv3 1
switch(config-ospfv3-1)# redistribute connected
switch(config-ospfv3-1)# area 0.0.0.0
switch(config-ospfv3-1)# exit

Create a loop back interface and enable OSPFv2/v3:

switch(config)# interface loopback 1
switch(config-loopback-if)# ip address 3.3.3.3/24
switch(config-loopback-if)# ip ospf 1 area 0.0.0.0
switch(config-loopback-if)# ipv6 ospfv3 1 area 0.0.0.0
switch(config-loopback-if)# exit

Enable OSPFv2/v3 on the physical port:

switch(config)# interface 1/2/43
switch(config-if)# no shutdown
switch(config-if)# ip address 192.168.10.5/24
switch(config-if)# ipv6 address 2001:11::3/64
switch(config-if)# ip ospf 1 area 0.0.0.0
switch(config-if)# ipv6 ospfv3 1 area 0.0.0.0
switch(config-if)# exit

Create a VLAN for the host network:

switch(config)# interface vlan 200
switch(config-if-vlan)# ip address 192.168.10.6/16
switch(config-if-vlan)# ipv6 address 2001:200::1/64
switch(config-if-vlan)# exit

Enable the port for host communication:

switch(config)# interface 1/1/48
switch(config-if)# no shutdown
switch(config-if)# no routing
switch(config-if)# vlan access 200
switch(config-if)# exit

Enter vsx:
```
switch(config)# vsx
switch(config-vsx)#
```
Enter the role primary command for assigning the primary role to a switch. If you have already gone through these steps for configuring the primary switch and you are now configuring the secondary switch, enter the role secondary command
Setting the primary role on a switch:
```
switch(config-vsx)# role primary
```
Setting the secondary role on a switch:
```
switch(config-vsx)# role secondary
```
Configure a layer 2 interface as an ISL:
```
switch(config-vsx)# inter-switch-link lag 100
```
In this instance, an ISL was configured over LAG 100.

NOTE:
Before you enter this command, verify that the interface is layer 2 and the LAG is not a VSX LAG.
The steps in this topic are based on a topology ( Sample VSX solution topology) that shows a keepalive path over the core. To configure the keepalive interface as a loopback interface:
```
switch(config)# int loopback 0
switch(config-loopback-if)# ip address 192.168.1.1/32
switch(config-loopback-if)# ip ospf 1 area 0
switch(config-loopback-if)# exit
switch(config)# vsx
switch(config-vsx)# keepalive peer 192.168.1.2 source 192.168.1.1
```
NOTE:
The source of the keepalive interface can be a supported layer 3 interface through the loopback interface, SVI, or layer 3 interface. The source must be reachable to the VSX peer through layer 3. The path can be over the core or direct path. The keepalive path must not be over the ISL.
Change the context to the switch(config)# context:
```
switch(config-vsx)# exit
switch(config)#
```

Configuring a LAG interface as an ISL:

switch(config)# interface lag <LAG-ID>

For example, configuring LAG 102 as an ISL LAG:

switch(config)# interface lag 102
switch(config)# vsx
switch(config)# inter-switch-link lag 102

Repeat the previous steps for the secondary core switch.

Enter the show vsx configuration inter-switch-link command for confirming the properties of the VSX LAG, such as confirming if the ISL is in-sync.

switch# show vsx configuration inter-switch-link
Inter Switch Link   : 1/1/1
Hello Interval      : 1 Seconds
Dead Interval       : 20 Seconds
Hold Time           : 0 Seconds
Device Role         : primary
Multichassis LAGs   : lag 101