Hi,
we are evaluating VSS/VPC technology for use in Core and Distribution Layer Routers (Cat6K, Cat4K, N7K).
The benefits are clear so far (no stp, no hsrp, full bandwith, easy routing design etc.), but we are still discussing the resilience of the two members of a vss/vpc switch pair.
Are there any well known risks that a faulty member switch can affect the other member?
Are there any kinds of firmware or software updates which need both members to be rebooted at the same time? Or is vss functionality in general compatible between different OS versions and can be considered such as a normal ospf protocol neighborship between two different routers?
How are your experiences concerning this technology?
We are using many Cat45 with redundant Sup6 and Sup7, and we experienced a lot of problems especially concerning software updates where issu didn't work as expected and mentioned in the documentation, so downtimes have been much longer as allowed in a enterprise network. That's not the same as VSS/VPC I know because of this experiences we are careful with that kind of cluster technologies.
Best Regards
Thorsten