Operation Manual – IRF Fabric
H3C S3600 Series Ethernet Switches-Release 1510 Chapter 1
IRF Fabric Configuration
1-1
Chapter 1 IRF Fabric Configuration
1.1 Overview
1.1.1 Introduction to IRF
Several IRF (intelligent resilient framework) supported switches of the same model can
be interconnected to form a fabric, in which each switch is a unit. The ports used to
interconnect all the units are called fabric ports, and the other ports that are used to
connect the fabric to users are called user ports. In this way, you can increase ports and
switching capability by adding devices to the fabric. In addition, reliability of the system
will be improved because the devices within the fabric can backup each other. This
feature brings you many advantages:
z Realizes unified management of multiple devices. Only one connection and one IP
address are required to manage the entire fabric. Therefore, management cost is
reduced.
z Enables you to purchase devices on demand and expand network capacity
smoothly. Protects your investment to the full extent during network upgrade.
z Ensures high reliability by N+1 redundancy, avoids single point failure, and
lessens service interruption.
Fabric
Fabric port
user port
Fabric
Fabric port
user port
c
Figure 1-1 Fabri
You can manage and maintain fabric topology with the Fabric Topology Management
(FTM) function. FTM on each unit exchanges information with other units, including unit
ID, fabric name, and the authentication mode between units, by using a special kind of
protocol packets. It manages and maintains fabric topology according to the acquired
information. For example, when a new device is connected to a fabric, FTM will
determine whether it should establish a new fabric with the device according to the
obtained information.
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