Understanding Virtual Chassis Components - Juniper JUNOS OS 10.3 - SOFTWARE Manual

Complete Software Guide for Junos

Understanding Virtual Chassis Components

Virtual Chassis Ports (VCPs)
Master Role
924
®
OS for EX Series Ethernet Switches, Release 10.3
A Virtual Chassis configuration allows you to interconnect two to ten Juniper Networks
EX4200 Ethernet Switches and run them as a single network entity. While it is true that
you need at least two interconnected switches to take advantage of Virtual Chassis
features, it is also true that any individual EX4200 switch has some Virtual Chassis
components.
This topic covers:
Virtual Chassis Ports (VCPs) on page 924
Master Role on page 924
Backup Role on page 925
Linecard Role on page 925
Member Switch and Member ID on page 926
Mastership Priority on page 926
Virtual Chassis Identifier (VCID) on page 927
There are two dedicated Virtual Chassis ports (VCPs) on the rear panel of the EX4200
switch that are used exclusively to interconnect EX4200 switches in a Virtual Chassis
configuration. The interfaces for these dedicated ports are operational by default when
the ports are properly cabled. For an example of two EX4200 switches interconnected
with their dedicated VCPs, see "Example: Configuring a Virtual Chassis with a Master
and Backup in a Single Wiring Closet" on page 947. In addition, you can interconnect the
switch with another EX4200 switch across a wider distance by installing an optional
SFP, SFP+, or XFP uplink module in an EX4200 switch or by using the network interfaces
in an EX4200-24F switch. To do this using uplink module ports, you need to install one
uplink module in at least one EX4200 switch at each end of the link. You must set the
uplink module ports or the EX4200-24F network interfaces to function as VCPs in order
for the interconnected switches to be recognized as members of the same Virtual Chassis
configuration. This procedure includes setting the uplink module ports or EX4200-24F
network ports of a standalone EX4200 switch as VCPs prior to interconnecting the new
member switch with the existing Virtual Chassis configuration. For an example of EX4200
switches interconnected with the uplink ports functioning as VCPs, see "Example:
Configuring a Virtual Chassis Interconnected Across Multiple Wiring Closets" on page 963.
You can display the status of both the dedicated VCP interfaces and the uplink ports
configured as VCP interfaces with the show virtual-chassis vc-port command.
The member that functions in the master role:
Manages the member switches.
Runs Juniper Networks Junos operating system (Junos OS) for Juniper Networks EX
Series Ethernet Switches in a master role.
Copyright © 2010, Juniper Networks, Inc.