Trunk port between a cisco switch and a server

[menace212]

I have a request to do a dot1q trunk between a switch and a server...What are the disadavantages of doing this(spanning tree, broadcasts etc) and what are the configurations for server to do this....

P.S.
If I do this can I configure the trunk to be an isolated port or community port?

 

[VinceWhirlwind]

I've seen this where the switch link was for a virtual server farm - usually done as an etherchannel with 2-4 links to the switch.

You configure the switchport:
switchport trunk dot1q
switchport mode trunk

On the server you usually have a virtual switch which you configure the same. If you had to configure the server ethernet port(s) directly, you go into the network adapter properties and select dot1q trunking.

There are no disadvantages - if it's what the server design requires, then that's what you should configure. I can't think of any objection you as the network guy should make - on the contrary, it means they're putting smart stuff on the network, which makes your job more fun.