When I run Catalyst operating system (CatOS) code on a 6500 and Cisco IOS software in the Multilayer Switch Feature Card (MSFC), do I issue the QoS commands on the MSFC or on the supervisor?
A. When you run hybrid code (CatOS), you issue the QoS commands on the supervisor/Policy Feature Card (PFC). The 6500 performs QoS in three places: • Software-based in the MSFC • Hardware-based (multi-layer switching-based) in the PFC • Software-based on some line cards This issue occurs when you work with hybrid IOS (CatOS + IOS for MSFC). The CatOS and IOS have two sets of configuration commands. However, when you configure QoS under native IOS, for example with the newer Sup32 or Sup720 engines, you are further from the hardware, and the line card part is invisible to the user. This is important because most of the traffic is multi-layer switched (hardware switched). Therefore, it is handled by the PFC logic. The MSFC never sees that traffic. If you are not setting up PFC-based QoS, most of the traffic is lost.
Related Questions
- When I run Catalyst operating system (CatOS) code on a 6500 and Cisco IOS software in the Multilayer Switch Feature Card (MSFC), do I issue the QoS commands on the MSFC or on the supervisor?
- What Catalyst operating system (CatOS) or Multilayer Switch Feature Card (MSFC) Cisco IOS image is required to support policing?
- What is the minimum software that is necessary for QoS on Catalyst 4500/4000 switches that run CatOS?
