Hardware Compatibility - HP FlexFabric 5700 series Configuration Manual

d. The master device provides the correct Boot ROM and startup software images to the PEX.
e. The PEX downloads the software images to the local storage medium, and then loads the
software images.
f. The PEX automatically reboots to register with the master device.
3. Configuration synchronization:
a. The parent device issues its running configuration to the PEX.
b. The PEX runs with the configuration received from the master device instead of reading the
configuration from its local startup configuration file.
4. PEX link maintenance:
The master device and the PEX send heartbeat packets on the PEX links to detect link failure. You
can determine whether a PEX link is available by checking the state of its physical interfaces.
Configuration management
An eIRF system manages all its settings (including settings for PEXs) on the master device. You can
configure and manage PEXs only from the master device. The running configuration on the master device
has all settings in the eIRF system, including settings for PEXs. When a PEX reboots or is added, the
master device issues its running configuration to the PEX.
Data forwarding
The PEXs do not have local forwarding capability.
The PEXs send any incoming traffic to the parent fabric. The parent fabric makes the forwarding decisions
and sends the traffic to the outgoing interfaces.
Figure 17 Data forwarding model

Hardware compatibility

HP FlexFabric 5700 switches can only operate as PEXs. The parent devices are from HP 5900 switch
series. For more information, see the IRF configuration guide for the HP 5900 switch.
Figure 17 shows the data forwarding model.
48