How is a Layer 2 port channel created?

A Layer 2 port channel is primarily created using a method where interfaces are grouped automatically based on their channel-group configuration. When network interfaces are assigned the same channel-group number, they can be bundled together into a port channel, allowing for traffic to be distributed across the links in that group. This automatic association streamlines the process and reduces the amount of manual configuration needed.

In practice, when a network administrator configures a switch port to be part of a port channel, they specify a channel-group number. The switch then uses this number to manage the aggregation of those interfaces into a single logical link. This method enhances bandwidth while providing redundancy – if one link fails, traffic can still flow over the remaining active links in the group.

Other methods or choices to create Layer 2 port channels involve manual configurations or software updates that do not automatically group interfaces based on their channel-group number, which makes them less efficient and more error-prone compared to the automatic method facilitated by channel-group numbers.