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CHAPTER
20-1
Catalyst 3560 Switch Software Configuration Guide
OL-8553-06
20
Configuring Flex Links and the MAC
Address-Table Move Update Feature
This chapter describes how to configure Flex Links, a pair of interfaces on the Catalyst 3560 switch that
provide a mutual backup. It also describes how to configure the MAC address-table move update feature,
also referred to as the Flex Links bidirectional fast convergence feature.
Note For complete syntax and usage information for the commands used in this chapter, see the command
reference for this release.
The chapter consists of these sections:
• Understanding Flex Links and the MAC Address-Table Move Update, page 20-1
• Configuring Flex Links and the MAC Address-Table Move Update, page 20-7
• Monitoring Flex Links and the MAC Address-Table Move Update, page 20-14
Understanding Flex Links and the MAC Address-Table
Move
Update
This section contains this information:
• Flex Links, page 20-1
• VLAN Flex Link Load Balancing and Support, page 20-2
• Flex Link Multicast Fast Convergence, page 20-3
• MAC Address-Table Move Update, page 20-6
Flex Links
Flex Links are a pair of a Layer 2 interfaces (switch ports or port channels) where one interface is
configured to act as a backup to the other. The feature provides an alternative solution to the Spanning
Tree Protocol (STP). Users can disable STP and still retain basic link redundancy. Flex Links are
typically configured in service provider or enterprise networks where customers do not want to run STP
on the switch. If the switch is running STP, Flex Links is not necessary because STP already provides
link-level redundancy or backup.