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Implementing Multi-Chassis Trunking on Brocade NetIron Platforms

Provides an overview of the Brocade Multi-Chassis Trunking (MCT) technology and an in-depth discussion of the way it is implemented on Brocade platforms such as Brocade MLX Series and Brocade NetIron XMR, CER, and CES; also discusses detailed implementation and best practices for typical deployment scenarios using MCT to remove Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) as a loop management technology in large-scale Layer 2 Ethernet networks.

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CONTENTS
Overview ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 3 MCT Topologies ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 3 MCT Components............................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 5 Traffic Flow......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 6 Single Link Aggregation Group Entity in MCT ........................................................................................................................................................................ 7 MAC Database Update (MDUP) over Cluster Control Protocol........................................................................................................................................ 8 Layer 2 Protocol Support in MCT................................................................................................................................................................................................ 9 xSTP ................................................................................................................................................................................ 9 MRP ................................................................................................................................................................................ 9 Layer 2 xSTP BPDU Tunneling ..................................................................................................................................... 10 Keep-alive VLANs ......................................................................................................................................................... 11 VRRP/VRRP-E Implementation on MCT...............................................................................................................................................................................11 MCT Topology A Implementation: Single-Level MCT on Brocade NetIron XMR/MLX and CER/CES ...................... 12 MCT Topology B Implementation: Multi-tier MCT on the Brocade NetIron XMR/MLX and CER/CES ..................... 15 MCT Topology C Implementation: Brocade NetIron XMR/MLX and CER/CES MCT Integration in a Layer 2 MRP Metro Ring ........................................................................................................................................................ 19 Conclusion........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................21 About Brocade................................................................................................................................................................................................................................21

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OVERVIEW
Multi-Chassis Trunking (MCT) is a trunk that initiates in a single MCT-unaware server or switch and terminates at two Brocade MCT-aware switches. MCT allows links that are physically connected to two Brocade MCT-aware switches to appear to downstream device as coming from a single device as part of a single link aggregation trunk interface. Multi-Chassis Trunking is available on the Brocade MLX Series and Brocade NetIron XMR, CER, and CES devices. At the time of writing this paper, two peers can be configured as an MCT systemand the two peers can be the same device type or a mix of any two of the platforms listed above. In a data center network environment, Link Aggregation (LAG) trunks are commonly deployed to provide link-level redundancy and increase the link capacity between network devices. However, LAG trunks do not provide switch-level redundancy. If the switch to which the LAG trunk is attached fails, the entire LAG trunk loses network connectivity. With MCT, member links of the LAG are connected to two MCT-aware switches, which are directly connected using an Inter-Chassis Link (ICL) to enable data flow and control messages between them. In the MCT deployment scenario, all links are active and can be load shared using hash algorithm. If one MCT switch fails, a data path will remain through the other switch with milliseconds rang of traffic convergence time, which dramatically increase the network resilience and performance.

MCT TOPOLOGIES
Brocade NetIron MCT topologies include the following: Single-level MCT on the Brocade NetIron XMR/MLX and CER/CES (topology A). This topology comprises access switches dual-homed to the Brocade NetIron XMR/MLX or CER/CES with a switch link aggregation trunk interface with Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) or 10 GbE links. This topology can also consist of link aggregation trunk interface with each endpoint host connected either with one or more links to each XMR/MLX or CER/CES.

MCT client edge ports

Layer 3 network Keep-alive VLAN ICL

Brocade XMR/MLX

Brocade XMR/MLX

Switch link aggregation IEEE 802.3ad

Host link aggregation IEEE 802.3ad Brocade NetIron CER/CES

Switch link aggregation IEEE 802.3ad

Host link aggregation IEEE 802.3ad

Brocade NetIron CER/CES

Figure 1. MCT topology A

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Multi-tier MCT on the Brocade NetIron XMR/MLX and CER/CES (topology B). This topology comprises a pair of access switches (typically Brocade NetIron CER/CES) in MCT mode with a unique LAG trunk interface configured between the access MCT switches and a pair of aggregation/core layer switches, which are also in MCT mode ( typically Brocade NetIron XMR/MLX). It is often called a double-sided MCT.

Layer 3 network Keep-alive VLAN ICL

Brocade XMR/MLX

Brocade XMR/MLX

Brocade NetIron CER/CES

ICL

Brocade NetIron CER/CES

Figure 2. MCT topology B

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Brocade NetIron XMR/MLX and CER/CES MCT integration in a Layer 2 MRP metro ring (topology C): This topology comprises pairs of Brocade NetIron XMR/MLX and CER/CES in MCT mode in a Layer 2 Metro Ring Protocol (MRP) metro ring topology. The ICL between the pair of MCT switches is part of the MRP ring and is designed to always be in non-blocking mode. This topology provides one more layer of aggregation in the MRP ring topology and active/active path to the dual-home connected servers.
LAG Aggregation Brocade MLX

Servers

MCT

METRO RING

Routed Layer 3 network

MCT Servers LAG

Brocade MLX

MCT client edge ports

Figure 3. MCT topology C

MCT COMPONENTS
To properly understand MCT, consider Figure 4, which shows an example of MCT deployment, functions and features.
Cluster: ABC Bridge ID: 100 CEP ICL Bridge ID: 200 CEP CCEP

CCEP

LAG Switch bridge ID: 300

End stations

End stations

Figure 4. MCT components

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Figure 4 shows a number of MCT components:

MCT peer switches. A pair of switches connected as peers through the ICL. The LAG interface is spread across two MCT peer switches and it acts as the single logical endpoint to the MCT client. MCT client. The MCT client is the device that connects with MCT peer switches through an IEEE 802.3ad link. It can be a switch or an endpoint server host in the single-level MCT topology or another pair of MCT switches in a multi-tier MCT topology. MCT Inter-Chassis Link (ICL). A single-port or multi-port GbE or 10 GbE interface between the two MCT peer switches. This link is typically a standard IEEE 802.3ad Link Aggregation interface. ICL ports should not be untagged members of any VLAN. The ICL is a tagged Layer 2 link, which carries packets for multiple VLANs. MCT VLANS are the VLANs on which MCT clients are operating. On the Brocade NetIron XMR/MLX, non-MCT VLANs can co-exist with MCT VLANs on the ICL. However, on the Brocade NetIron CES/CER, only MCT VLANs are carried over ICL. NOTE: For MCT VLANs, MAC learning is disabled on ICL ports, while MAC learning is enabled on ICL port for non-MCT VLANs. MCT Cluster Client Edge Port (CCEP). A physical port on one of the MCT peer switches that is a member of the LAG interface to the MCT client. To have a running MCT instance, at least one Link Aggregation Interface is needed with a member port on each peer switch. MCT Cluster Edge Port (CEP). A port on MCT peer switches that is neither a Cluster Client Edge Port nor an ICL port. MCT Cluster Communication Protocol (CCP). A Brocade proprietary protocol that provides reliable, point-to-point transport to synchronize information between peers. CCP comprises two main components: CCP peer management and CCP client management. CCP peer management deals with establishing, and maintaining TCP transport session between peers, while CCP client management provides event-based, reliable packet transport to CCP peers.

TRAFFIC FLOW
MCT configuration is optimized to ensure that traffic through an MCT-capable system is symmetric. In Figure 5, for example, traffic from the server redirected to the core or the server attached to another access switch reaches a Brocade MLX (Agg 1 on the left) and the receiving Brocade MLX routes it directly to the core or switches it directly to the destination access switch without unnecessarily passing it to the peer Brocade MLX. Similarly, the traffic reaching the Brocade MLX (Agg 1 on the right) from the core is forwarded toward the access switch without traversing the MCT peer Brocade MLX switch. This can be achieved regardless of which Brocade MLX switch aggregation device is the primary Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol (VRRP) device for a given VLAN.

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Core 1

Core 2

Core 1

Core 2

L3

L3

Agg 1

ICL

Agg 2

Agg 1

ICL

Agg 2

L2

L2

Figure 5. MCT traffic flow

SINGLE LINK AGGREGATION GROUP ENTITY IN MCT

While still operating with two separate control planes, MCT ensures that the neighboring client devices perceive the MCT peers as a single link aggregation interface entity. Compared to static LAG configuration, Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP) is always recommended so that the negotiation process is in place before the LAG interface comes up to minimize the likelihood of misconfiguration. According to the IEEE specifications, to allow LACP to determine whether a set of links can connect to the same system and to determine whether those links are compatible from the point of view of aggregation, it is necessary to be able to establish a globally unique identifier for each system that participates in link aggregation. The unique identifier in MCT peer switches comprises two components: the MCT system ID and the MCT LAG group ID. These values are calculated as follows: MCT base system ID = 0180.c200.0000 MCT system ID = MCT base system ID + cluster ID

The cluster ID is user configurable on each MCT peer and unique across the MCT system
NetIron(config)# cluster TOR 1

Syntax: [no] cluster <cluster-name> <cluster-id> Where the <cluster-name> parameters specify the cluster name with a limit of 64 characters and the <cluster-id> parameters specify the cluster ID (1-65535).
MCT base key = 30000 MCT LAG Group ID = MCT base key + client bridge ID

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The client bridge ID is also user configurable on each MCT peer and unique for each client device (switch or server).
NetIron(config-cluster-TOR)# client client-1

Syntax: [no] client <client-name> Where the <client-name> parameter can be 64 characters (maximum).
NetIron(config-cluster-TOR-client-1)#rbridge-id 100

Syntax: [no] rbridge-id <id> Where the <id> parameters specify the remote bridge ID; possible values are 1 35535.

MAC DATABASE UPDATE (MDUP) OVER CLUSTER CONTROL PROTOCOL

Each MCT cluster switch needs to maintain multiple MAC Databases (MDBs) corresponding to the cluster peer. The local MDB consists of MAC addresses that are learnt locally and the remote MDTs are constructed by the MDUP messages received from the MCT peer. MDUP runs as an application over CCP and only the best MAC entry is installed in the Forwarding decision Database (FDB).
Local MAC learning MDUP messages Local MAC learning MDUP messages

Local MDB (RB-A)

Remote MDB (RB-B)

Local MDB (RB-B)

Remote MDB (RB-A)

FDB SWITCH A SWITCH B

FDB

Figure 6. MCT MAC Database table

The following MDB resolution algorithm is used on all the MDBs in a given switch to identify which MAC should be installed in FDB. The algorithm works as follows:
1. 2. 3. 4. The MACs learned locally are given the highest priority or the cost of 0(zero) so that they are always selected as best MAC. Each MAC is advertised with a cost; low-cost MACs are given preference over high-cost MACs. If a MAC is moved from an MCT MAC to a regular MAC, a MAC move message is sent to the peer and the peer should also move the MAC from CCEP ports to ICL links adjusting the MDBs. If the cost of a MAC is same, then the MAC learned from the lower RBridge ID wins and is installed in the FDB

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The following types of MACs are defined for the Cluster:

Cluster Local MAC (CL). MACs that are learned on VLANs that belongs to a cluster VLAN range and on CEP ports locally. MACs are synchronized to the cluster peer and subject to aging. Cluster Remote MAC (CR). MACs that are learned via MDUP messages from the peer (CL on the peer). The MACs are always programmed on the ICL port and they do not age. They are deleted only when they are deleted from the peer. A remote MDB is created for these MACs with a cost of 1 (one). Cluster Client Local MAC (CCL). MACs that are learned on VLANs that belongs to cluster VLAN range and on CCEP ports. The MACs are synchronized to the cluster peer and subject to aging. A local MDB is created for these MACs with a cost of 0 (zero). Cluster Client Remote MAC (CCR). MACs that are learned via MDUP messages from the peer (CCL on the peer). The MACs are always programmed on the corresponding CCEP port and they do not age. They are deleted only when they are deleted from the peer. A remote MDB is created for the MACs with a cost of 1 (one).

LAYER 2 PROTOCOL SUPPORT IN MCT

xSTP
The STP algorithm has been modified such that ICL never goes to blocking. The ICL guard ensures this by starting the ICL guard timer as soon as superior BPDUs are received on the port and runs the timer for the entire duration of receiving the superior BPDUs. As long as this timer runs on an interface, the superior BPDUs are dropped. The modified STP algorithm also ensures that the CCEP STP state information between MCT peers is synchronized using messages that are sent over CCP and that the CCEP interfaces spanning tree state on both MCT peers is the same. Only one of the MCT peers sends BPDU towards the MCT client. It is decided by whichever is the designated bridge on the ICL. Three new STP states are added in the MCT implementation:
The BLK_BY_ICL state indicates that the superior BPDUs were received on this interface, which could have led to blocking of the ICL interface, so the ICL port guard mechanism has been triggered on this port. The FWD_BY_MCT state indicates that the MCT peer has set the CCEP state to forwarding. The BLK_BY_MCT state indicates that the MCT peer has set the CCEP state to blocking.

MRP
Metro Ring Protocol (MRP) is a Brocade proprietary protocol that provides a scalable Layer 2 loop-free ring topology typically for a Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) and fast reconvergence compared to spanning tree protocols. The pair of MCT switches can act as a single logic node in the MRP topology the only restriction being that the ICL interface cannot be configured as an MRP secondary interface since the ICL interface cannot be in blocking state. MRP shouldnt be enabled on an MCT CCEP port and vice versa. MCT-MRP integration provides a solution with active-active dual homing to the MRP ring, high availability, and fast recovery.

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Layer 2 xSTP BPDU Tunneling

One of the advantages of MCT is that it enables a solution with a loop-free Layer 2 network that eliminates spanning tree. However, MCT doesnt restrict the use of spanning tree in the network. Spanning tree can be enabled so that MCT switches participate in the SPT process as an extra protection for any loop caused by misconfiguration. If spanning tree is disabled on MCT switches, by default MCT switches act as a hub for STP, RSTP, or MSTP. In the case, the BPDUs are flooded to the VLAN as regular multicast packets. Note the BPDU received from ICL is forwarded to the CCEP port if the peer MCT switch can reach the same cluster client. To prevent STP BPDUs on MCT VLANs from tunneling through the MCT switch, the no cluster-l2protocol-forward command needs to be configured on a port or global basis. To disable xSTP BPDU tunneling globally, enter a command such as the following:
NetIron(config)#no cluster-l2protocol-forward

To disable xSTP BPDU tunneling on an interface, enter a command such as the following:
NetIron(config-if-e1000-1/2)#cluster-l2protocol-forward disable

Layer 2

Brocade MLX

Brocade MLX

MCT logical switch

MCT switch pair acting as a single logical switch

Standard link aggregation IEEE 802.3ad

Figure 7. MCT xSTP BPDU tunneling

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Keep-alive VLANs
Using a LAG trunk interface for the ICL between the MCT peer switches is a best practice to provide link redundancy. However, an optional keep-alive VLAN can be configured to start transverse connectivity check messages when the ICL link fails. Only one VLAN can be configured as the keepalive VLAN. The MCT is operating in client isolation loose mode by default, which means that in the event that the CCP fails because the ICL link fails:
If the keep-alive VLAN is configuredthe MCT performs master/slave negotiation. After the negotiation, the client port will be active and forward traffic only on the master MCT switch. If no keep-alive VLAN configuredthe client ports on both MCP peer switches will remain active and forward traffic independently.

The MCT can also operate in client isolation strict mode. If the CCP fails, the client interfaces on both MCT peer switches are administratively shut down. In this mode, the client is completely isolated from the network when the CCP is not operational. The same isolation mode should be configured on both MCT switches.
NetIron(config-cluster-TOR)#client-isolation strict

Syntax: [no] client-isolation strict/loose The table below summarizes the behavior discussed above. Modules ICL normal operation ICL failure ICL failure in an MCTMRP topology Keep-alive VLAN Client ports on both MCT peers active Client ports active only on Master MCT node Client ports active only on Master MCT node No Keep-alive VLAN (default) Client ports on both MCT peers active Client ports on both MCT peers active Not recommended or supported Strict Client Isolation Mode Client ports on both MCT peers active All client ports shut down All client ports shut down

VRRP/VRRP-E IMPLEMENTATION ON MCT

Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol (VRRP) is a standard redundancy protocol to increase the availability of the default gateway servicing hosts on the same subnet via advertising a "virtual router as the default gateway to the host instead of one physical router. VRRP-E is the Brocade proprietary version of VRRP with a number of enhancements. Both VRRP and VRRP-E are supported with MCT, which provides switch-level redundancy for VRRP/VRRP-E. The MCT switch that acts as backup router needs to ensure that packets sent to a VRRP-E virtual IP address can be L2 switched to the VRRP-E master router for forwarding. The MCT switch that acts as master router syncs the VRRP-E MAC to the other MCT switch that acts as a backup router. Both data traffic and VRRP-E control traffic travel through the ICL unless the short-path forwarding feature is enabled. With the VRRP-E server virtualization feature, short-path forwarding, enabled, the MCT VRRP-E backup switch can forward both Layer 2 and Layer 3 packets to the VRRP-E master switch without going through ICL, which provides a VRRP active-active topology.

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MCT Topology A Implementation: Single-Level MCT on Brocade NetIron XMR/MLX and CER/CES

Layer 3 network
1/7 1/7 1/1 1/2 1/3 1/5 1/1

MLX1 VRRP-E master

1/6

ICL

1/2 1/6 1/5 1/4

MLX2 VRRP-E backup

1/3

Switch link aggregation IEEE 802.3ad 1/1 CES 1

1/2

Host Link aggregation IEEE 802.3ad

1/4

Switch link aggregation IEEE 802.3ad CES2

Figure 8. MCT topology A deployment example Create VLANs (including the session VLAN used by the CCP) and assign ports to VLANs. Only ICL ports should be assigned to session VLANs.

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Create a LAG on the MCT switches; in this example, there are 4 x LAGs on each MCT switch: LAG 1 serves as an ICL link and LAG 2 to LAG 4 are the connections from the MCT switch to the clients (access switches and server host).

Configure the MCT cluster in operation mode and the MCT cluster client. One MCT cluster client matches each access switch or host respectively. Note the following: If the ICL or client interfaces needs to be configured as a LAG interface, then only the primary port of the LAG needs to be specified in the ICL or client configuration. An ICL interface cannot be configured as the CCEP port in any client. Once the cluster is deployed, only the cluster member VLANs can be modified. Other configurations are not allowed be changed. Once the client is deployed, any configuration under the client cannot be changed. Clients can be added or deleted even when the cluster is deployed.

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Configure VRRP-E on the MCT client VLAN 2: switch MLX1 is the master and switch MLX2 is the backup. Note that if short-path-forwarding is enabled, the backup VRRP-E switch forwards both Layer 2 and Layer 3 traffic.

Layer 3 interfaces and protocols needs to be configured and enabled on the interfaces facing the Layer 3 core layer so that the subnets of the access layer can be advertised out. In an MCT implementation, Brocade recommends that you redistribute the related routes to routing protocols.

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MCT Topology B Implementation: Multi-tier MCT on the Brocade NetIron XMR/MLX and CER/CES

Layer 3 network
1/6 1/6 1/1 1/2 1/3 1/4

MLX1 VRRP-E master

ICL

1/1 1/2 1/3 1/4 1/4

MLX2 VRRP-E backup

1/3

1/4

CES1
1/5

ICL

1/1 1/2

1/3

CES2
1/5

Figure 9. MCT topology B deployment example

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the MCT-VLAN 2 is configured only on the Brocade MLX aggregation/core switch.

Create VLANs (including the session VLAN used by the CCP) and assign the ports to VLANs. Layer 2 VLANs span from the Brocade NetIron CES access switch up to Brocade MLX aggregation/core switches. VE of

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Create LAGs on the MCT switches, both on the Brocade MLX pair and Brocade NetIron CES pair. The LAG between the Brocade MLX MCT switch and the Brocade NetIron CES MCT switch is virtually a single entity of LAG interface.

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Configure the cluster operation mode and cluster client. The Brocade MLX pair of MCT switches is the client of the Brocade NetIron CES pair of MCT switches. The Brocade NetIron CES pair of MCT switches is the client of the pair of MCT switches. The Brocade NetIron CES pair of MCT switches also have another client, which is the server connected to the Brocade NetIron CES MCT switches through the standard IEEE 802.3ad protocol.

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Only the aggregation/core Brocade MLX MCT switches need to be configured with VRRP/VRRP-E. Switch MLX1 is the master and switch MLX2 is the backup. Note that if short-path-forwarding is enabled as recommended, the backup VRRP-E switch will forward both Layer 2 and Layer 3 traffic.

Layer 3 interfaces and protocol needs to be configured and enabled on the interfaces facing the Layer 3 core layer so that subnets for the access layer can be advertised out. The Layer 2 and Layer 3 boundary sits on the Brocade MLX MCT switches in the aggregation/core layer. In the MCT implementation, Brocade recommends redistributing the routes to routing protocols.

MCT Topology C Implementation: Brocade NetIron XMR/MLX and CER/CES MCT Integration in a Layer 2 MRP Metro Ring
LAG Aggregation Brocade MLX

Servers

MCT

METRO RING

MCT

Brocade MLX

Figure 10. MCT topology C deployment example

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Create VLANs and enable MRP on the VLANs. If the MCT switches are configured as MRP masters, make sure that the ICL ports on the MCT switches are not configured as secondary ports.

Create LAGs on the MCT switches.

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Configure the cluster operation mode and cluster client. One cluster client matches each access switch or host respectively.

CONCLUSION
Brocade MCT provides a number of important benefits for a Layer 2 network in addition to a set of enhancements for Layer 3 interconnect specifically resulting from the Layer 2 capabilities. With MCT, customers can achieve enhanced system availability through redundant systems, loop management without the use of Spanning Tree Protocol, full system bandwidth high availability, rapid link-failure recovery, and link aggregation to any IEEE 802.3ad-capable edge device.

ABOUT BROCADE
Brocade provides innovative, end-to-end network solutions that help the worlds leading organizations transition smoothly to a virtualized world where applications and information can reside anywhere. These solutions deliver the unique capabilities for a more flexible IT infrastructure with unmatched simplicity, nonstop networking, optimized applications, and investment protection. As a result, organizations in a wide range of industries can achieve their most critical business objectives with greater simplicity and a faster return on investment. For more information about Brocade products and solutions, visit www.brocade.com.

2010 Brocade Communications Systems, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 09/10 GA-IG-326-00 Brocade, the B-wing symbol, BigIron, DCFM, DCX, Fabric OS, FastIron, IronView, NetIron, SAN Health, ServerIron, TurboIron, and Wingspan are registered trademarks, and Brocade Assurance, Brocade NET Health, Brocade One, Extraordinary Networks, MyBrocade, and VCS are trademarks of Brocade Communications Systems, Inc., in the United States and/or in other countries. Other brands, products, or service names mentioned are or may be trademarks or service marks of their respective owners. Notice: This document is for informational purposes only and does not set forth any warranty, expressed or implied, concerning any equipment, equipment feature, or service offered or to be offered by Brocade. Brocade reserves the right to make changes to this document at any time, without notice, and assumes no responsibility for its use. This informational document describes features that may not be currently available. Contact a Brocade sales office for information on feature and product availability. Export of technical data contained in this document may require an export license from the United States government.

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