Configuring redundant 6500's

[dmariotti]

I currently have a 6509(vtp core, running MSFC code) and 6506 (vtp client)connected via GBIC trunk on the the SUP mods. Both switches are acting like edge switches, connecting clients. I would like to configure both 6500's as a redundant core switch block and add 3550's throughout the campus for edge connectivity.

My 6509 has a WS-X6K-SUP1A-2GE Multilayer Switch Feature WS-F6K-MSFC.

My 6506 has a WS-X6K-SUP1-2GE

Will I need MSFC code on the 6506 to do this?

Any other gotchas or recomendations appreciated.

Thanks in advance

[t.hadarson]

I suggest you build a hierarcical design with the 6500 in the "core/distribution" layer and configure both of them as vtp servers and make them rootbridge and secondary rootbridge for the spanning tree whith ex one 6500 root for even vlans and the other 6500 for odd vlans and each 6500 secondary root for each others vlan. All routing with OSPF in both 6500 and HSRP for each routed subnet. This design gives you a acceptable time for convergence and you dont need to have routing in the 3550 switches (layer2 as long as possible).

Example.(not so good figure but....)

Redundant links to each 3550

access access

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6500 +++++++++++6500

[t.hadarson]

Here's a link to a design example

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/netsol/ns110/ns146/ns147/ns17/networking_solutions_design_guidance09186a00800e04ad.html

[dmariotti]

Thank You for the responses!

Since my 6506 is running CAT OS, will I need

to load MSFC code on the SUP to do the HSRP?

Dave