Chapter 1 Irf Fabric Configuration; Introduction To Irf - Huawei Quidway S5600 Series Operation Manual

Operation Manual – IRF Fabric
Quidway S5600 Series Ethernet Switches-Release 1510

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, while 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:
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.
Enables you to purchase devices on demand and expand network capacity
smoothly. Protects your investment to the full extent during network upgrade.
Ensures high reliability by N+1 redundancy, avoids single point failure, and
lessens service interruption.
Figure 1-1 Fabric
Fabric Topology Management (FTM) function can manage and maintain fabric
topology. 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
information.
Fabric Fabric
user port user port
Fabric port Fabric port
Huawei Technologies Proprietary
1-1
Chapter 1 IRF Fabric Configuration