Candidate Switch And Cluster Member Switch Characteristics; Planning A Switch Cluster - Cisco WS-C3560-48PS-S Software Configuration Manual

Planning a Switch Cluster

Candidate Switch and Cluster Member Switch Characteristics

Candidate switches are cluster-capable switches that have not yet been added to a cluster. Cluster
member switches are switches that have actually been added to a switch cluster. Although not required,
a candidate or cluster member switch can have its own IP address and password (for related
considerations, see the
To join a cluster, a candidate switch must meet these requirements:
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Planning a Switch Cluster
Anticipating conflicts and compatibility issues is a high priority when you manage several switches
through a cluster. This section describes these guidelines, requirements, and caveats that you should
understand before you create the cluster:
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Refer to the release notes for the list of Catalyst switches eligible for switch clustering, including which
ones can be cluster command switches and which ones can only be cluster member switches, and for the
required software versions and browser and Java plug-in configurations.
Catalyst 3560 Switch Software Configuration Guide
5-4
"IP Addresses" section on page 5-13
It is running cluster-capable software.
It has CDP version 2 enabled.
It is not a command or cluster member switch of another cluster.
If a cluster standby group exists, it is connected to every standby cluster command switch through
at least one common VLAN. The VLAN to each standby cluster command switch can be different.
It is connected to the cluster command switch through at least one common VLAN.
Catalyst 1900, Catalyst 2820, Catalyst 2900 XL, Catalyst 2950, and Catalyst 3500 XL
Note
candidate and cluster member switches must be connected through their management VLAN
to the cluster command switch and standby cluster command switches. For complete
information about these switches in a switch-cluster environment, refer to the software
configuration guide for that specific switch.
This requirement does not apply if you have a Catalyst 2970, Catalyst 3550, Catalyst 3560,
or Catalyst 3750 cluster command switch. Candidate and cluster member switches can
connect through any VLAN in common with the cluster command switch.
Automatic Discovery of Cluster Candidates and Members, page 5-5
HSRP and Standby Cluster Command Switches, page 5-10
IP Addresses, page 5-13
Host Names, page 5-13
Passwords, page 5-14
SNMP Community Strings, page 5-14
TACACS+ and RADIUS, page 5-14
Access Modes in CMS, page 5-15
LRE Profiles, page 5-15
Availability of Switch-Specific Features in Switch Clusters, page 5-15
Chapter 5 Clustering Switches
and "Passwords" section on page 5-14).
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