H3C Technologies H3C S5820X Series Switches - Manual (Page 5)

1-2
After an IRF is established, you can log in to the IRF system by connecting to any port of any member.
When you log in to the IRF, actually you log in to the master device. You can manage all IRF members
by configuring the master, for example, allocating IP addresses to the members, interconnecting the
members, and running routing protocols.
z Powerful network expansion capability
By adding member devices, the number of IRF ports and network bandwidth of the IRF system can be
easily expanded. Each member device has its own CPU and they can process and forward protocol
packets independently; therefore, the processing capability of the IRF system also can be easily
expanded.
z High reliability
An IRF system comprises multiple member devices: the master runs, manages and maintains the IRF,
whereas the slaves process services as well as functioning as the backups. As soon as the master fails,
the IRF system elects a new master immediately to prevent service interruption and implement 1:N
backup.
Besides, not only the IRF links of members can be aggregated, but also the physical links between the
IRF system and the upper or lower layer devices can be aggregated, and thus the reliability of the IRF
system is increased through the link backup.
Introduction to Mixed IRF
At present, the IRF feature is widely used and has users’ approval due to its redundant and reliable
performance, convenient and fast configuration, and unified configuration interface. Previously, you can
establish an IRF (an IRF can comprise at most nine switches) by connecting only switches of the same
series, S5800 series switches or S5820X series switches, and you cannot establish a mixed IRF that
comprises both S5800 series and S5820X series switches.
What is a Mixed IRF
Now, to better meet the users’ requirements, the mixed IRF feature is realized on the S5800 series and
S5820X series switches, which means you can establish an IRF that comprises both S5800 series and
S5820X series switches.
Advantages of Mixed IRF
The mixed IRF feature can not only provide mutual backup, redundant reliability, and centralized
management, but also perform unified management for GE and 10 G networks, and thus reduces
maintenance costs. Besides, the mixed IRF can expand the GE and 10 G port density flexibly.
For the implementation of the mixed IRF, the connection scheme among devices and the configuration
schemes are identical with those when you build an IRF using either the S5800 series or S5820X series
switches.