Roles In A Cluster - 3Com 4200G 12-Port Configuration Manual

you can configure and manage all the member devices through the management device without
the need to log onto them one by one.
It provides the topology discovery and display function, which assists in monitoring and maintaining
the network.
It allows you to configure and upgrade multiple switches at the same time.
It enables you to manage your remotely devices conveniently regardless of network topology and
physical distance.
It saves IP address resource.

Roles in a Cluster

The switches in a cluster play different roles according to their functions and status. You can specify the
role a switch plays. A switch in a cluster can also switch to other roles under specific conditions.
As mentioned above, the three cluster roles are management device, member device, and candidate
device.
Table 2-1 Description on cluster roles
Role
Management device
Member device
Candidate device
Figure 2-2 illustrates the state machine of cluster role.
Configuration
Configured with a external IP
address
Normally, a member device is
not assigned an external IP
address
Normally, a candidate device is
not assigned an external IP
address
2-2
Function
Provides an interface for
managing all the switches in
a cluster
Manages member devices
through command
redirection, that
forwards the commands
intended for
member devices.
Discovers neighbors,
collects the information
about network topology,
manages and maintains the
cluster. Management device
also supports FTP server
and SNMP host proxy.
Processes the commands
issued by users through the
public network
Members of a cluster
Discovers the information
about its neighbors,
processes the commands
forwarded by
management device, and
reports log. The member
devices of a luster are under
the management of the
management device.
Candidate device refers to the
devices that do not belong to
any clusters but are
cluster-capable.
is, it
specific
the