Roles In A Cluster - 3Com 4210 9-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 1-1 Description on cluster roles
Role
Management device
Member device
Candidate device
Figure 1-2 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 Candidate device refers to the devices that do not
not assigned an belong to any clusters but are cluster-capable.
external IP address
1-2
Function
Provides an interface for managing all the
switches in a cluster
Manages member devices through command
redirection, that is, it forwards the commands
intended for specific member devices.
Discovers neighbors, collects the information
about network topology,
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 the
management device, and reports log. The
member devices of a luster are under the
management of the management device.
manages and