3Com Switch 4210 9-Port, Configuration Manual

Page: 321 / 567

Cluster Overview 319
Figure 100 illustrates the state machine of cluster role.
Table 239 Description of cluster roles
Role Configuration Function
Management device Configured with a external IP
address
■
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,
manages and maintains
the cluster. Management
device also supports FTP
server and SNMP host
proxy.
■
Processes the commands
issued by users through
the public network
Member device Normally, a member device is
not assigned an external IP
address
■
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.
Candidate device Normally, a candidate device
is not assigned an external IP
address Candidate device refers to the
devices that do not belong to
any clusters but are
cluster-capable.