2-2
you can configure and manage all the member devices through the management device without
the need to log onto them one by one.
z It provides the topology discovery and display function, which assists in monitoring and maintaining
the network.
z It allows you to configure and upgrade multiple switches at the same time.
z It enables you to manage your remotely devices conveniently regardless of network topology and
physical distance.
z It saves IP address resource.
Roles in a Cluster
The switches in a cluster play different roles according to their functions and status. You can specify the
role a switch plays. A switch in a cluster can also switch to other roles under specific conditions.
As mentioned above, the three cluster roles are management device, member device, and candidate
device.
Table 2-1 Description on cluster roles
Role Configuration Function
Management device
Configured with a external IP
address
z Provides an interface for
managing all the switches in
a cluster
z Manages member devices
through command
redirection, that is, it
forwards the commands
intended for specific
member devices.
z Discovers neighbors,
collects the information
about network topology,
manages and maintains the
cluster. Management device
also supports FTP server
and SNMP host proxy.
z Processes the commands
issued by users through the
public network
Member device
Normally, a member device is
not assigned an external IP
address
z Members of a cluster
z Discovers the information
about its neighbors,
processes the commands
forwarded by the
management device, and
reports log. The member
devices of a luster are under
the management of the
management device.
Candidate device
Normally, a candidate device is
not assigned an external IP
address
Candidate device refers to the
devices that do not belong to
any clusters but are
cluster-capable.
Figure 2-2 illustrates the state machine of cluster role.
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