In an Aruba CX VSX setup, which component is used to inform the ISL configuration based on MAC addresses?

In an Aruba CX VSX setup, which component is used to inform the ISL configuration based on MAC addresses?

• A. MAC tables
• B. IP routing tables
• C. STP topology
• D. UDLD topology

Answer: (A)

In a VSX pair, the path between the two switches (the ISL) carries traffic for devices learned on either member. Each switch builds a MAC address table that maps every learned MAC to the local port where that device is reachable. When deciding how to forward a frame across the VSX fabric, the system relies on those MAC table entries to know which VSX member owns a given MAC and which ISL path to use to reach it. That MAC-based knowledge directly informs how the ISL is configured and how traffic is steered between the two switches, ensuring devices on both sides stay reachable. IP routing tables govern how packets are forwarded at Layer 3, not how Layer 2 frames are mapped to ISL paths. STP topology relates to loop avoidance and path selection, while UDLD focuses on detecting and preventing unilateral link failures. None of those determine MAC-based ISL forwarding the way MAC address tables do.

In a VSX pair, the path between the two switches (the ISL) carries traffic for devices learned on either member. Each switch builds a MAC address table that maps every learned MAC to the local port where that device is reachable. When deciding how to forward a frame across the VSX fabric, the system relies on those MAC table entries to know which VSX member owns a given MAC and which ISL path to use to reach it. That MAC-based knowledge directly informs how the ISL is configured and how traffic is steered between the two switches, ensuring devices on both sides stay reachable.

IP routing tables govern how packets are forwarded at Layer 3, not how Layer 2 frames are mapped to ISL paths. STP topology relates to loop avoidance and path selection, while UDLD focuses on detecting and preventing unilateral link failures. None of those determine MAC-based ISL forwarding the way MAC address tables do.