Catalyst 4000 errors

[jlcembellin]

What is symbol-err in Catalyst 4000 switch?

Port CrcAlign-Err TxCrc-Err Collisions Symbol-Err

Gi1/1 0 0 0 0

Gi1/2 0 0 0 2

Gi2/1 0 0 0 1309

Gi2/2 0 0 0 10965

Gi2/3 0 0 0 2666163212

Gi2/4 0 0 0 0

Gi2/5 0 0 0 0

Gi2/6 1 165313 0 343230

Po1 0 0 0 2

[Bobby Thekkekandam]

Symbol Errors are related to the L1 signaling. As you know, there will be some coding used such as 4B/5B. If there is a problem with this coding, you will see that the symbol and sequence errors increase. These errors are seen when the Mac sees "invalid" symbols. In most cases, this is a physical problem - Gbics, fiber, etc. These errors also increment when the link is not up because the Mac isn't syncronized and receives noise.

So you will want to check the cabling, the GBICs, if the cables are inserted correctly, etc.

[Robert Slusar]

I am also wrestling with these errors. Could you elaborate on "These errors also increment when the link is not up because the Mac isn't syncronized and receives noise."

Do you mean a device is physically connected (has link) but isn't active?

Also, if the errors occur on a FE port can the packets that cause the error move through the network and trigger the counters on a Gig link (trunk)?