Cisco IOS LAN Switching Configuration Guide, Release 12.4
Configuring IP Multilayer Switching

Table Of Contents

Configuring IP Multilayer Switching

Finding Feature Information

Contents

Prerequisites for Configuring IP MLS

Information About Configuring IP MLS

How to Configure MLS

Configuring MLS on a Router

Monitoring MLS

Monitoring MLS: Example

Monitoring MLS for an Interface

Monitoring MLS for an Interface: Example

Monitoring MLS Interfaces for VTP Domains

Monitoring MLS Interfaces for VTP Domains: Example

Configuring NetFlow Data Export

Prerequisite

Specifying an NDE Address on the Router

Configuration Examples for MLS

Router Configuration Without Access Lists: Example

Router Configuration with a Standard Access List: Example

Router Configuration with an Extended Access List: Example

Additional References

Related Documents

Standards

MIBs

RFCs

Technical Assistance

Feature Information for Configuring MLS


Configuring IP Multilayer Switching


This module describes how to configure IP Multilayer Switching (MLS).


Note This module is a brief summary of the information contained in the Catalyst 5000 Series Multilayer Switching User Guide. The commands and configurations described in this guide apply only to the devices that provide routing services. Commands and configurations for Catalyst 5000 series switches are documented in the Catalyst 5000 Series Multilayer Switching User Guide and the Catalyst 5000 Series Software Configuration Guide. For configuration information for the Catalyst 6000 series switch, see the Configuring and Troubleshooting IP MLS on Catalyst 6500/6000 Switches with an MSFC document or see the "Configuring IP Multilayer Layer 3 Switching" chapter in the Catalyst 6500 Series Switch Cisco IOS Software Configuration Guide.


Finding Feature Information

Your software release may not support all the features documented in this module. For the latest feature information and caveats, see the release notes for your platform and software release. To find information about the features documented in this module, and to see a list of the releases in which each feature is supported, see the "Feature Information for Configuring MLS" section.

Use Cisco Feature Navigator to find information about platform support and Cisco IOS and Catalyst OS software image support. To access Cisco Feature Navigator, go to http://www.cisco.com/go/cfn. An account on Cisco.com is not required.

Contents

Prerequisites for Configuring IP MLS

Information About Configuring IP MLS

How to Configure MLS

Configuration Examples for MLS

Additional References

Feature Information for Configuring MLS

Prerequisites for Configuring IP MLS

To ensure a successful MLS configuration, you must also configure the Catalyst switches in your network. For more information about Catalyst 5000 series switches, see the Catalyst 5000 Series Multilayer Switching User Guide and the Catalyst 5000 Series Software Configuration Guide. For more information about Catalyst 6000 series switches, see the Configuring and Troubleshooting IP MLS on Catalyst 6500/6000 Switches with an MSFC document or see the "Configuring IP Multilayer Layer 3 Switching" chapter in the Catalyst 6500 Series Switch Cisco IOS Software Configuration Guide.

Information About Configuring IP MLS

MLS provides high-performance Layer 3 switching for Cisco routers and switches. MLS switches IP data packets between subnets using advanced application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) switching hardware. Standard routing protocols, such as Open Shortest Path First (OSPF), Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol (Enhanced IGRP), Routing Information Protocol (RIP), and Intermediate System-to-Intermediate System (IS-IS), are used for route determination.

For conceptual information about IP Multilayer Switching, see the "Multilayer Switching Overview" module.

How to Configure MLS

To configure your Cisco router for MLS, perform the tasks described in the following sections. The first section contains a required task; the remaining tasks are optional.

Configuring MLS on a Router (Required)

Monitoring MLS (Optional)

Monitoring MLS for an Interface (Optional)

Monitoring MLS Interfaces for VTP Domains (Optional)

Configuring NetFlow Data Export (Optional)

Configuring MLS on a Router

To configure MLS on your router, complete the following steps.


Note Depending upon your configuration, you might not have to perform all the steps in the procedure.


SUMMARY STEPS

1. enable

2. configure terminal

3. mls rp ip

4. interface type number

5. mls rp vtp-domain domain-name

6. mls rp vlan-id [vlan-id]

7. mls rp ip

8. mls rp management-interface

9. (Optional) Repeat Step 4 through Step 8 for each interface that will support MLS.

10. end

DETAILED STEPS

 
Command or Action
Purpose

Step 1 

enable

Example:

Router> enable

Enables privileged EXEC mode.

Enter your password if prompted.

Step 2 

configure terminal

Example:

Router# configure terminal

Enters global configuration mode.

Step 3 

mls rp ip

Example:

Router(config)# mls rp ip

Globally enables MLSP. MLSP is the protocol that runs between the MLS-SE and the MLS-RP.

Note To globally disable MLS on the router, use the no mls rp ip command.

Step 4 

interface type number

Example:

Router(config)# interface vlan 1

Selects a router interface and enters interface configuration mode.

Enter the interface type and interface number.

Step 5 

mls rp vtp-domain domain-name

Example:

Router(config-if)# mls rp vtp-domain engineering

Selects the router interface to be Layer 3 switched and then adds that interface to the same VLAN Trunking Protocol (VTP) domain as the switch. This interface is referred to as the MLS interface. This command is required only if the Catalyst switch is in a VTP domain.

Enter the domain name.

Step 6 

mls rp vlan-id [vlan-id]

Example:

Router(config-if)# mls rp vlan-id 1

Assigns a VLAN ID to the MLS interface. MLS requires that each interface has a VLAN ID. This step is not required for RSM VLAN interfaces or ISL-encapsulated interfaces.

Enter the VLAN number.

Step 7 

mls rp ip

Example:

Router(config-if)# mls rp ip

Enables each MLS interface.

Step 8 

mls rp management-interface

Example:

Router(config-if)# mls rp management-interface

Selects one MLS interface as a management interface. MLSP packets are sent and received through this interface. This can be any MLS interface connected to the switch.

Step 9 

(Optional) Repeat Step 4 through Step 8 for each interface that will support MLS.

Step 10 

end

Example:

Router(config-if)# end

Returns to privileged EXEC mode.


Note The interface-specific commands in this section apply only to Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, VLAN, and Fast EtherChannel interfaces on the Catalyst RSM/Versatile Interface Processor 2 (VIP2) or a directly attached external router.


Monitoring MLS

To display MLS details including specifics for MLSP, complete the following steps.

SUMMARY STEPS

1. enable

2. show mls rp

3. end

 
Command or Action
Purpose

Step 1 

enable

Example:

Router> enable

Enables privileged EXEC mode.

Enter your password if prompted.

Step 2 

show mls rp

Example:

Router# show mls rp

Displays MLS details for all interfaces. The information displayed includes the following:

MLS status (enabled or disabled) for switch interfaces and subinterfaces

Flow mask used by this MLS-enabled switch when creating Layer 3-switching entries for the router

Current settings of the keepalive timer, retry timer, and retry count

MLSP-ID used in MLSP messages

List of interfaces in all VTP domains that are enabled for MLS

Step 3 

end

Example:

Router# end

Exits privileged EXEC mode.

DETAILED STEPS

Monitoring MLS: Example

After entering the show mls rp command, the following is displayed:

Router# show mls rp

multilayer switching is globally enabled
mls id is 00e0.fefc.6000
mls ip address 10.20.26.64
mls flow mask is ip-flow
vlan domain name: WBU
   current flow mask: ip-flow
   current sequence number: 80709115
   current/maximum retry count: 0/10
   current domain state: no-change
   current/next global purge: false/false
   current/next purge count: 0/0
   domain uptime: 13:03:19
   keepalive timer expires in 9 seconds
   retry timer not running
   change timer not running
   fcp subblock count = 7
   1 management interface(s) currently defined:
      vlan 1 on Vlan1
   7 mac-vlan(s) configured for multi-layer switching:
      mac 00e0.fefc.6000
         vlan id(s)
         1    10   91   92   93   95   100
   router currently aware of following 1 switch(es):
      switch id 0010.1192.b5ff

Monitoring MLS for an Interface

To show MLS information for a specific interface, complete the following steps:

SUMMARY STEPS

1. enable

2. show mls rp interface type number

3. end

DETAILED STEPS

 
Command or Action
Purpose

Step 1 

enable

Example:

Router> enable

Enables privileged EXEC mode.

Enter your password if prompted.

Step 2 

show mls rp interface type number

Example:

Router# show mls rp interface vlan 10

Displays MLS details for a specific interface.

Enter the interface type and interface number.

Step 3 

end

Example:

Router# end

Exits privileged EXEC mode.

Monitoring MLS for an Interface: Example

After entering the show mls rp interface command, the following is displayed:

Router#  show mls rp interface vlan 10

mls active on Vlan10, domain WBU
router#

Monitoring MLS Interfaces for VTP Domains

To show MLS information for a specific VTP domain, complete the following steps.

SUMMARY STEPS

1. enable

2. show mls rp vtp-domain domain-name

3. end

 
Command or Action
Purpose

Step 1 

enable

Example:

Router> enable

Enables privileged EXEC mode.

Enter your password if prompted.

Step 2 

show mls rp vtp-domain domain-name

Example:

Router# show mls rp vtp-domain WBU

Displays MLS interfaces for a specific VTP domain.

Enter the VTP domain name.

Step 3 

end

Example:

Router# end

Exits privileged EXEC mode.

DETAILED STEPS

Monitoring MLS Interfaces for VTP Domains: Example

After entering the show mls rp vtp-domain command, the following is displayed:

router# show mls rp vtp-domain WBU

vlan domain name: WBU
   current flow mask: ip-flow
   current sequence number: 80709115
   current/maximum retry count: 0/10
   current domain state: no-change
   current/next global purge: false/false
   current/next purge count: 0/0
   domain uptime: 13:07:36
   keepalive timer expires in 8 seconds
   retry timer not running
   change timer not running
   fcp subblock count = 7
   1 management interface(s) currently defined:
      vlan 1 on Vlan1
   7 mac-vlan(s) configured for multi-layer switching:
      mac 00e0.fefc.6000
         vlan id(s)
         1    10   91   92   93   95   100
   router currently aware of following 1 switch(es):
      switch id 0010.1192.b5ff

Configuring NetFlow Data Export

To configure your Cisco router for NetFlow Data Export (NDE), complete the following steps.


Note You need to enable NDE only if you want to export MLS cache entries to a data collection application.


Prerequisite

To ensure a successful NDE configuration, you must also configure the Catalyst switch. For more information, see the Catalyst 5000 Series Multilayer Switching User Guide.

Specifying an NDE Address on the Router

To specify an NDE address on the router, complete the following steps.

SUMMARY STEPS

1. enable

2. configure terminal

3. mls rp nde-address ip-address

4. end

 
Command or Action
Purpose

Step 1 

enable

Example:

Router> enable

Enables privileged EXEC mode.

Enter your password if prompted.

Step 2 

configure terminal

Example:

Router# configure terminal

Enters global configuration mode.

Step 3 

mls rp nde-address ip-address

Example:

Router(config)# mls rp nde-address 192.168.0.0

Specifies an NDE IP address for the router doing the Layer 3 switching. The router and the Catalyst 5000 series switch use the NDE IP address when sending MLS statistics to a data collection application.

Enter the IP address.

Step 4 

end

Example:

Router(config)# end

Exits global configuration mode.

DETAILED STEPS

Configuration Examples for MLS

This section contains the following examples:

Router Configuration Without Access Lists: Example

Router Configuration with a Standard Access List: Example

Router Configuration with an Extended Access List: Example


Note In these examples, VLAN interfaces 1 and 3 are in VTP domain named Engineering. The management interface is configured on the VLAN 1 interface. Only information relevant to MLS is shown in the configurations.


Router Configuration Without Access Lists: Example

This sample configuration shows a router configured without access lists on any of the VLAN interfaces. The flow mask is configured to be destination-ip.

Routershow running-config

Building configuration...
Current configuration:
.
.
.
mls rp ip

interface Vlan1
 ip address 192.168.0.0 255.255.255.0
 mls rp vtp-domain Engineering
 mls rp management-interface
 mls rp ip

interface Vlan2
 ip address 192.168.2.73 255.255.255.0

interface Vlan3
 ip address 192.168.3.73 255.255.255.0
 mls rp vtp-domain Engineering
 mls rp ip
 .
 .
 end
router#

Router#  show mls rp

multilayer switching is globally enabled
mls id is 0006.7c71.8600
mls ip address 192.168.26.56
mls flow mask is destination-ip

number of domains configured for mls 1
vlan domain name: Engineering
   current flow mask: destination-ip
   current sequence number: 82078006
   current/maximum retry count: 0/10
   current domain state: no-change
   current/next global purge: false/false
   current/next purge count: 0/0
   domain uptime: 02:54:21
   keepalive timer expires in 11 seconds
   retry timer not running
   change timer not running
   1 management interface(s) currently defined:
      vlan 1 on Vlan1
   2 mac-vlan(s) configured for multi-layer switching:
      mac 0006.7c71.8600
         vlan id(s)
         1    3
   router currently aware of following 1 switch(es):
      switch id 00e0.fe4a.aeff

Router Configuration with a Standard Access List: Example

This configuration is the same as the previous example but with a standard access list configured on the VLAN 3 interface. The flow mask changes to source-destination-ip.

.
interface Vlan3
 ip address 192.168.3.73 255.255.255.0
 ip access-group 2 out
 mls rp vtp-domain Engineering
 mls rp ip
.

Router#  show mls rp

multilayer switching is globally enabled
mls id is 0006.7c71.8600
mls ip address 192.20.26.56
mls flow mask is source-destination-ip
number of domains configured for mls 1
vlan domain name: Engineering
   current flow mask: source-destination-ip
   current sequence number: 82078007
   current/maximum retry count: 0/10
   current domain state: no-change
   current/next global purge: false/false
   current/next purge count: 0/0
   domain uptime: 02:57:31
   keepalive timer expires in 4 seconds
   retry timer not running
   change timer not running
   1 management interface(s) currently defined:
      vlan 1 on Vlan1
   2 mac-vlan(s) configured for multi-layer switching:
      mac 0006.7c71.8600
         vlan id(s)
         1    3
   router currently aware of following 1 switch(es):
      switch id 00e0.fe4a.aeff

Router Configuration with an Extended Access List: Example

This configuration is the same as the previous examples but with an extended access list configured on the VLAN 3 interface. The flow mask changes to ip-flow.

.
interface Vlan3
 ip address 192.16.3.73 255.255.255.0
 ip access-group 101 out
 mls rp vtp-domain Engineering
 mls rp ip
.


Router# show mls rp

multilayer switching is globally enabled
mls id is 0006.7c71.8600
mls ip address 192.16.26.56
mls flow mask is ip-flow
number of domains configured for mls 1
vlan domain name: Engineering
   current flow mask: ip-flow
   current sequence number: 82078009
   current/maximum retry count: 0/10
   current domain state: no-change
   current/next global purge: false/false
   current/next purge count: 0/0
   domain uptime: 03:01:52
   keepalive timer expires in 3 seconds
   retry timer not running
   change timer not running
   1 management interface(s) currently defined:
      vlan 1 on Vlan1
   2 mac-vlan(s) configured for multi-layer switching:
      mac 0006.7c71.8600
         vlan id(s)
         1    3
   router currently aware of following 1 switch(es):
      switch id 00e0.fe4a.aeff

Additional References

The following sections provide references related to configuring IP multilayer switching.

Related Documents

Related Topic
Document Title

IP LAN switching commands: complete command syntax, command mode, defaults, usage guidelines, and examples

Cisco IOS LAN Switching Services Command Reference

MLS overview

"Multilayer Switching Overview" module

MLS on a Catalyst 5000 series switch

Catalyst 5000 Series Multilayer Switching User Guide

Catalyst 5000 Series Software Configuration Guide

MLS on a Catalyst 6500/6000 series switch

Configuring and Troubleshooting IP MLS on Catalyst 6500/6000 Switches with an MSFC

"Configuring IP Multilayer Layer 3 Switching" chapter in the Catalyst 6500 Series Switch Cisco IOS Software Configuration Guide


Standards

Standard
Title

No new or modified standards are supported by this feature, and support for existing standards has not been modified by this feature.


MIBs

MIB
MIBs Link

No new or modified MIBs are supported by this feature, and support for existing MIBs has not been modified by this feature.

To locate and download MIBs for selected platforms, Cisco IOS releases, and feature sets, use Cisco MIB Locator found at the following URL:

http://www.cisco.com/go/mibs


RFCs

RFC
Title

No new or modified RFCs are supported by this feature, and support for existing standards has not been modified by this feature.


Technical Assistance

Description
Link

The Cisco Support website provides extensive online resources, including documentation and tools for troubleshooting and resolving technical issues with Cisco products and technologies.

To receive security and technical information about your products, you can subscribe to various services, such as the Product Alert Tool (accessed from Field Notices), the Cisco Technical Services Newsletter, and Really Simple Syndication (RSS) Feeds.

Access to most tools on the Cisco Support website requires a Cisco.com user ID and password.

http://www.cisco.com/cisco/web/support/index.html


Feature Information for Configuring MLS

Table 1 lists the release history for this feature.

Not all commands may be available in your Cisco IOS software release. For release information about a specific command, see the command reference documentation.

Use Cisco Feature Navigator to find information about platform support and software image support. Cisco Feature Navigator enables you to determine which Cisco IOS and Catalyst OS software images support a specific software release, feature set, or platform. To access Cisco Feature Navigator, go to http://www.cisco.com/go/cfn. An account on Cisco.com is not required.


Note Table 1 lists only the Cisco IOS software release that introduced support for a given feature in a given Cisco IOS software release. Unless noted otherwise, subsequent releases of that Cisco IOS software also support that feature.


Table 1 Feature Information for Configuring MLS

Feature Name
Releases
Feature Information

This table is intentionally left blank because no features were introduced or modified in Cisco IOS Release 12.2(1) or later. This table will be updated when feature information is added to this module.