H3C Technologies H3C S7500E Series Switches - Manual (Page 8)

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IRF Configuration
This chapter includes these sections:
z Introduction to IRF
z Basic Concepts
z Working Process
z IRF Virtual Device Configuration Task List
z Switching Operating Mode
z Configuring an IRF Virtual Device
z Accessing an IRF Virtual Device
z Displaying and Maintaining an IRF Virtual Device
z IRF Virtual Device Configuration Examples
Introduction to IRF
Overview
Developed by H3C, Intelligent Resilient Framework (IRF) provides a new method to connect multiple
devices through physical IRF ports. Individual devices join to form a distributed device called IRF virtual
device. IRF realizes the cooperation, unified management, and non-stop maintenance of multiple
devices.
z At present, the S7500E Series Ethernet Switches support an IRF virtual device of two members,
which means you can use two S7500E series switches to form an IRF virtual device: one operates
as the master and the other operates as the slave.
z At present, the S7503E, S7506E, S7510E and S7506E-V support IRF.
Advantages
IRF features the following advantages:
z Streamlined management. When an IRF virtual device is established, you can log in to it by
connecting to any port of any member to manage all members of the IRF virtual device.
z High reliability. An IRF virtual device comprises multiple member devices: the master runs,
manages and maintains the IRF virtual device, whereas the slaves process services as well as
functioning as the backups. As soon as the master fails, the IRF virtual device immediately elects a
new master to prevent service interruption. In addition, not only the IRF links of members can be
aggregated, but also the physical links between the IRF virtual device and the upper or lower layer