3Com S7902E, Configuration Manual

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1-3
Basic Concepts of IRF
Figure 1-2 Diagram for IRF basic concepts
As shown in Figure 1-2 , connect Device A and Device B and perform necessary configurations, and
then the IRF is formed. This IRF has four main boards, one active switching & routing processing unit
(SRPU) and three standby SRPUs, and two interface boards. The IRF manages the physical and
software resources of both Device A and Device B uniformly.
The following describes some basic concepts in IRF:
Operation mode
The device can operate in either of the following two modes:
z
Standalone mode: The device operates in a standalone manner. It does not form any IRF with
other devices.
z
IRF mode: The device interconnects with other devices to form an IRF.
Role
The devices that form an IRF are called IRF members. Each of them plays either of the following two
roles:
z
Master: The one manages the entire IRF.
z
Slave: Member device(s) operate as the backup(s) of the master. When the master fails, the
system elects a new master from the slaves to take over the original master.