On Thursday, 02/19/2009 at 08:33 EST, Hürlimann Heinz (KIUT 33) 
<[email protected]> wrote:
> Hello,
> according to the documentation, a z/VM virtual switch controlled link 
> aggregation (IEEE 802.3ad) allows you to combine multiple physical 
OSA-Express 
> ports into a single logical link for increased throughput and for 
nondisruptive 
> failover in the event that a port becomes unavailable. But the 
OSA-Express 
> adapters that comprise the link aggregation group must be connected to 
the same 
> physical switch and LAN segment.
> 
> We have 2 OSA-Ports on different OSA-Adapters which connect to different 

> physical switches. We would like to have a load balancing between the 
two 
> OSA-Interfaces and also a transparent recovery of a failed 
> link/switch/OSA-Port. Is there any way to accomplish that with VSWITCH?

The 6500s have a feature called "Virtual Switching System (VSS) 1440" that 
allows multiple switches to appear as one.  (Btw, IEEE 802.3ad requires 
awareness of what's going on on all the links.  This isn't a limitation of 
the VSWITCH.) 

> Another problem is, that I have to specify how our (outsourced) 
networker-staff 
> have to configure the physical switches (Cisco Catalyst 6500) that we 
can 
> fullfill our requirements. Can you assist me in this task, to have no 
inkling 
> of physical switches.

Just say "I don't know.".   Switch configuration is a skill like any 
other.   If your network hardware team doesn't know how to configure a 
switch, there is a light at the end of the tunnel and it isn't the exit. 
Don't go into the light!  (What *is* that rumbling noise anyway?)

You should, indeed, be specifying the Requirement, but not the Solution. 
The networkers need to acquire that on their own.  If you don't know and 
they don't know, then someone has to learn and it might as well be them 
since it's their job.  By all means, educate yourself (if you hire a 
housekeeper, you should know something about keeping house), but don't let 
yourself be suckered into doing their job.

Of course, if your role as Lead Switch Deployment Architect is spelled out 
in your outsource contract, then it's time to go to Switch Training, which 
I'm sure Cisco would be happy to provide.  Oh, and time to fire a few 
lawyers or IT managers.

Alan Altmark
z/VM Development
IBM Endicott

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