IRF Operation and Configuration

7/31/2019 IRF Operation and Configuration

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IRF Principle and Implementation Configuration

All configurations are divided into global configuration and localconfiguration.

Global configuration includes layer 3 interface, IP address, routing

protocol and security feature. It is efficient in the whole Fabric. Local configuration mainly includes the port parameters and it is

efficient in a local Unit only.

One Fabric ensures that the global configurations are identical when the

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.

How to implement it?

1. Begin with as minimal of a configuration as possible to ensure the globalconfigurations are identical.

2. The global configuration will be broadcast to each Unit for synchronousexecution and the local configuration will be sent to the relevant Unit forexecution.


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IRF Principle and Implementation Configuration Comparison

Begin with a minimal configuration on all devices. Preferred to reset saved-configuration and reboot prior to starting.

Configuration comparison will be performed at of system start, new Unit joining ormerge.

The Unit with the highest priority serves as the reference in the configuration

comparison. All other devices are re-written except for the local port and IRFconfiguration.

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Fabricconfiguration

Globalconfiguration

Local allocation

Globalconfiguration

Fabricconfiguration

Globalconfiguration

Local allocation

Globalconfiguration

UNIT1 UNIT2


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Basic Configuration Steps

1. On the chassis-based switches, convert them to IRF-mode

2. Choose a switch to be the master switch

3. Assign a high IRF priority to the master and ensure its MemberID is 1.

4. Assign a differentMember ID to each one of the other switches.

5. Shut down all the physical ports that will be used for the IRFconnectivity.

6. Assign the physical ports to the IRF logical interface

7. Enable the physical ports used with IRF

(cont.)

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Basic Configuration Steps (cont.)

8. Save the configuration of each device and turn them off.

9. Physically connect the IRF links to build the IRF fabric.

(See the next slide for connection guidelines)

10. Turn on the unit that needs to be the master (Member-id=1)

Wait until the boot process is complete before turning on the nextdevice. This will guarantee that this unit will become the master.

. .step is called device insertion. Always turn on a deviceconnected to other devices that are already up and running.

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IRF Configuration Master 1 (Step 1)

On Chassis Systems, you must first enable IRF mode (only applies to the7500E and highernot the 5820x and 5500-EI):

[H3C] chassis convert mode irf

This command will convert the device to IRF mode and the device will

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re oo . re you sure y

The device reboots automatically to switch its operating mode.

(To reverse this command enter the undo chassis convert mode command)


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IRF Configuration Master 1 (Steps 2 and 3)

Assign the IRF Priority of the switch and save the configuration:

[H3C] irf member 1 priority 32

Where priority can be an integer value from 1 to 32, 1 being the lowest 32being the highest priority.

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Highest priority take precedence over a lower priority.

[H3C] save


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Shutdown the ports that are to operate as IRF-Ports:

[H3C] interface TenGigabitEthernet 1/3/0/25

[H3C-Ten-GigabitEthernet1/3/0/25] shutdown

[H3C-Ten-GigabitEthernet1/3/0/25] quit

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[H C] n er ace Ten ga E erne



Notice the extra number in the interface designation. The firstnumber (1/) isthe Chassis ID (member number) associated by IRF.


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Assign the ports to their respective IRF-Port:

[H3C] irf-port 1/2

[H3C-irf-port 1/2]port group interface

TenGigabitEthernet 1/3/0/25

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[H C- rf-port ]por group n er ace

TenGigabitEthernet 1/3/0/26

[H3C-irf-port 1/2] quit

Note: This is Logical IRF-Port #2. This port MUST be connected toanother System 2s logical port #1


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IRF Configuration Master 1 (Step 7 and 8)

Re-activate the assigned ports:


[H3C-Ten-GigabitEthernet1/3/0/25] undo shutdown


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[H C-Ten-G ga tEthernet ] un o s u own


[H3C] irf-port-configuration active

%May 5 23:18:40:124 2010 H3C STM/4/MERGE:

IRF merge occurs and the IRF system does not needto reboot.

[H3C] save


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IRF Configuration Slave 2 (Step 1)

On Chassis Systems, you must first enable IRF mode:

[H3C] chassis convert mode irf

This command will convert the device to IRF mode and the device will

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reboot. Are you sure? [Y/N] y

The device reboots automatically to switch its operating mode.

A configuration register is set to indicate IRF mode

To reverse this command enter the undo chassis convert modecommand


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IRF Configuration Slave 2 (Steps 2, 3, and 4)

Renumber the unit to the second IRF device:

[H3C] irf member 1 renumber 2

Warning: Renumbering the switch number may result inconfiguration change or loss. Continue? [Y/N]: y

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reboot

You can validate the IRF unit number using the display irfcommand.


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IRF Configuration Slave 2 (Step 5)

Shutdown the ports that are to operate as IRF-Ports:




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[H C] n er ace Ten ga E erne



Notice the extra number in the interface designation (2/). This is the ChassisID (member number) associated by IRF.


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IRF Configuration Slave 2 (Step 7 and 8)

Re-activate the assigned ports and save the configuration:


[H3C-Ten-GigabitEthernet1/3/0/25] undo shutdown

[H3C] interface ten-gigabitethernet 1/3/0/26

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[H C-Ten-G ga tEthernet ] un o s u own


[H3C] irf-port-configuration active

%May 5 23:16:57:541 2010 H3C STM/4/MERGE:

IRF merge occurs and the IRF system needs a reboot.

[H3C] save

[H3C] quit

reboot


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IRF Configuration Completion

When you connect the two switches together:

Chassis switches - The unit with the lowest priority should request at

the command line to be rebooted Stackable switches The unit with the lowest priority will

automatically be rebooted!!!

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Once the unit(s) come back up, they will be in full IRF mode.This can be validated with the display irfcommand

IRF Operation and Configuration

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