Configuring MAC Retention MAC Retention Applications
OmniSwitch 6800/6850/9000 Network Configuration Guide March 2008 page 9-7
MAC Retention Applications
This section illustrates the MAC Retention feature using two different scenarios:
• Software Failure
• Link Failure
Software Failure
In the following diagram, if the primary element faces a fatal software exception, the MAC Retention
feature will remain enabled and the base MAC address will be retained during takeover.
Stack Status when Switch 1 is Down
In the above diagram, when the primary element in Stack 1 fails, the secondary element becomes the new
primary element and shares the MAC address of the former primary element of the stack. In this scenario,
the decision to retain the base MAC address is acceptable. This feature also works well during the
following failures:
• Power failure of the primary element
• Hardware failure of the primary element
1
2
3
a
a
a
b
b
b
Idle Element
Secondary Element
Primary Element
Switch 1
Stack 1
To Next Page
Loading...
