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If the IRF member switches are located far from each other, use the SFP+ transceivers with optical fibers.
If the IRF member switches are all in one equipment room, use the SFP+ cable.
For more information about the interface modules, see HP A-Series Switches Transceiver Modules User
Guide.
The SFP+ modules and SFP+ cables available for this switch series are subject to change over time. For
the most up-to-date list of SFP+ modules and cables, contact HP technical support or marketing staff.
Topology collection
Each member switch exchanges IRF hello packets with its directly connected neighbors to collect
topology data, including IRF port connection states, member IDs, priorities, and bridge MAC addresses.
Each member switch has a local topology database. At startup, an IRF member switch has only local
topology data. When an IRF port goes up, the member switch sends its topology data out of the port
periodically. The neighbor switch then updates its topology database with the received topology data.
The topology collection lasts for a period of time. After all members eventually get complete topology
information (topology convergence), the IRF virtual device enters the next stage: master election.
Master election
Master election is held each time the topology changes, for example, when the IRF virtual device is
established, a new member switch is plugged in, the master switch fails or is removed, or the partitioned
IRF virtual devices merge.
The master is elected based on the following rules in descending order:
1.
The current master, even if a new member has a higher priority. When an IRF virtual device is
being formed, all member switches consider themselves as the master, this rule is skipped.
2.
The member with a higher priority.
3.
The member with the longest system up-time. The member switches exchange system up-time in the
IRF hello packets.
4.
The member with the lowest bridge MAC address
The IRF virtual device is formed on election of the master.
During an IRF merge, the switches of the IRF virtual device that fails the master election automatically
reboot to join the IRF virtual device that wins the election.
After a master election, all subordinate member switches initialize and reboot with the configuration on
the master, and their original configuration, even if has been saved, is lost.
IRF virtual device management and maintenance
After the IRF virtual device is established, access the master from any member switch to manage all the
resources of the member switches.
Member ID
An IRF virtual device uses member IDs to uniquely identify its members. Member IDs are also included in
interface names and file system names for interface and file system identification. To guarantee the
operation of the IRF virtual device, you must assign each member switch a unique member ID.
