Fabric Extender Terminology
- Fabric interface – A 10-Gigabit/40-Gigabit Ethernet uplink port that is designated for connection from the Fabric Extender to its parent switch. A fabric interface cannot be used for any other purpose. It must be directly connected to the parent switch. This interface is enabled when you enter the switchport mode fex-fabric command.
- Host interface – An Ethernet host interface for connection to a server or host system.
- Port channel fabric interface – A port channel uplink connection from the Fabric Extender to its parent switch. This connection consists of fabric interfaces that are bundled into a single logical channel.
- Port channel host interface – A port channel host interface for connection to a server or host system
FEX Topologies
Single Homed Host and FEX (Static Pinning Mode) Design
Single Homed Host and FEX (Port Channel Mode) Design
Dual-Homed Host (Active/Standby) and Single Homed FEX (Static Pinning Mode) Design
Dual-Homed Host (Active/Standby) and Single Homed FEX (Port Channel Mode) Design
Host VPC (Single Link) and FEX Single Homed (Static Pinning Mode) Straight Through Design
Host VPC (Single Link) and FEX Single Homed (Port Channel Mode) Straight Through Design
Single Homed Host and Active-Active FEX (VPC) Design
Dual Homed Host (Active/Standby) and Active-Active FEX (VPC) Design
Host VPC (Dual Links) and FEX Single Homed (Static Pinning Mode) Straight Through VPC Design
Host VPC (Dual Links) and FEX Single Homed (Port Channel Mode) Straight Through VPC Design
Host VPC (Single Link) and Active-Active FEX with FEX HIF VPC PO (Enhanced VPC) Design
Host Port Channel and Active-Active FEX Design
Dual Homed Host (Active/Active) and Active-Active FEX Design
Single Parent Nexus Switch: Host VPC and FEX Single Homed Straight Through Design
