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Configuring Virtual Chassis
Virtual Chassis Overview
OmniSwitch AOS Release 7 Network Configuration Guide
June 2013
page 9-7
Virtual Chassis Overview
Virtual Chassis is a group of switches managed through a single management IP address. It provides both
node level and link level redundancy for both layer 2 and layer 3 protocols and services. This section
describes the main topics regarding Virtual Chassis such as benefits, components, mode of operation,
configuration conversion, start up and redundancy.
Some of the key benefits provided by a Virtual Chassis are:
•
A single, simplified configuration to maintain
•
Optimized bandwidth usage between the access layer and core
•
Active-Active multi-homed link aggregation
•
Provides predictable and consistent convergence with redundant links to the two switches
•
Allows for exclusion of spanning-tree and other redundancy protocols like VRRP between the access
layer and the core
•
A Virtual Chassis appears as single router or bridge with support for all protocols
•
A Virtual Chassis can be upgraded using ISSU to minimize network impact
Virtual Chassis Basic Topology
Virtual Chassis Concepts and Components
Virtual Chassis is an OmniSwitch feature that requires specific building blocks to provide full functional-
ity. The following sections highlight the various components of a Virtual Chassis architecture.
Virtual Chassis -
The entity consisting of multiple physical switches connected using the virtual-fabric
links.
Master Chassis -
The Master chassis in a virtual chassis topology acting as the entry point for manage-
ment and control operations. All configuration changes will be made on this chassis and communicated to
the Slave chassis.
Slave Chassis -
Any chassis which is not the Master chassis is considered a Slave chassis. A Slave chas-
sis is not directly configured, it communicates with the Master chassis via the virtual-fabric links to deter-
mine its configuration.
Virtual Chassis EMP Address -
The Virtual Chassis management IP address (EMP-VC). This is a
configurable IP address that is automatically assigned to the current primary chassis management module
VFL
Master
Slave
Virtual Chassis