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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