Understanding Switch Clusters; Clustering Overview - Cisco Catalyst 2950 Software Configuration Manual

Clustering Switches
This chapter provides an overview of the concepts and of the procedures used to create and manage
Catalyst 2950 and 2955 switch clusters.
You can create and manage switch clusters by using the Network Assistant application, the
command-line interface (CLI), or SNMP. Configuring switch clusters is more easily done from Network
Assistant than through the CLI or SNMP. For complete procedures about using Network Assistant to
configure switch clusters, see Getting Started with Cisco Network Assistant, available on Cisco.com. For
the CLI cluster commands, see the switch command reference.
This chapter consists of these sections:
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Understanding Switch Clusters

These sections describe:
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Clustering Overview

A switch cluster is a set of up to 16 connected, cluster-capable Catalyst switches that are managed as a
single entity. The switches in the cluster use the switch clustering technology so that you can configure
and troubleshoot a group of different Catalyst desktop switch platforms through a single IP address.
Using switch clusters simplifies the management of multiple switches, regardless of their physical
location and platform families. Clustering also provides redundancy through standby cluster command
switches.
In a switch cluster, 1 switch must be the cluster command switch and up to 15 other switches can be
cluster member switches. The total number of switches in a cluster cannot exceed 16 switches. The
cluster command switch is the single point of access used to configure, manage, and monitor the cluster
member switches. Cluster members can belong to only one cluster at a time.
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Understanding Switch Clusters, page 6-1
Using the CLI to Manage Switch Clusters, page 6-4
Using SNMP to Manage Switch Clusters, page 6-4
Clustering Overview, page 6-1
Cluster Command Switch Characteristics, page 6-2
Standby Command Switch Characteristics, page 6-2
Candidate Switch and Member Switch Characteristics, page 6-3
C H A P T E R
Catalyst 2950 and Catalyst 2955 Switch Software Configuration Guide
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