3Com CoreBuilder 7000, Operation Manual

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10
S
WITCH
R
EDUNDANCY
This chapter covers the following topics:
Switch Redundancy Overview
System Requirements
Summary of Improved Switch Redundancy Features in Version 4.5
Version 4.5 Features
Up to Version 4.0 Features
Switch Redundancy
Overview
A redundant switching module is a backup switching card that is capable
of performing all the tasks of the currently active switching module, if the
active module fails. For this purpose, the redundant module’s database is
kept up-to-date with all the network parameters that are configured in
the active switching module.
The redundant switching module is a necessary requirement in a
critical-mission network. When a switching module fails in such a
network, loss of data and interruption in transmission must be kept to an
absolute minimum.
Switch redundancy is supported by both the base and extended software
versions; it has no impact on the switching module’s performance.
Summary of
Improved Switch
Redundancy
Features in Version
4.5
There are two switch redundancy modes: base (default) and enhanced.
The base mode is identical to the mode supported by the software
versions prior to 4.50.
The following is a summary of the enhanced switch redundancy features
of version 4.5:
Typical switch-over time is 5-6 seconds.
No reboot of the interface card is performed during the switch-over.