Configuring Dynamic Automatic Fabric
Auto-Fabric Overview
OmniSwitch AOS Release 7 Network Configuration Guide
June 2013
page 14-7
Auto-Fabric Overview
Auto-Fabric can be used to dynamically discover and configure a switch for the LACP, SPB, and MVRP
protocols. It is supported in both standalone or virtual chassis mode. If LACP auto discovery is enabled,
the system will attempt LACP discovery and auto configuration for a set discovery window. After LACP
discovery window expires, SPB auto discovery will occur if enabled. Then, MVRP auto discovery will
occur if enabled.
Some of the key benefits provided by Auto-Fabric are:
•
Automatic discovery reduces administrative overhead.
•
Auto discovery supports the discovery of the LACP, SPB, and MVRP protocols.
•
The automatically discovered configuration for LACP and SPB (not MVRP) can be permanently saved
to the switch’s configuration file so it is kept after a reboot.
Basic Auto-Fabric Operation
By default, the auto-fabric discovery window will be started to determine if there are any eligible ports to
participate in discovery. In order for a port to be eligible for auto-fabric discovery it must be in it’s default
state. If the port is in its default state, the system will attempt to determine a port can be a member of an
existing or new link aggregate by analyzing any received LACP PDUs or Auto-discovery LLDP PDUs. If
any ports are determined to be possible link aggregate members with an existing port that is already up
both ports plus any subsequent ports will be placed into a single link-aggregate. After link aggregates are
formed or new non-aggregate ports are brought up, SPB will run its discovery on those ports followed by
MVRP which will be enabled on all the newly formed aggregates and ports which are participating and
did not join any aggregates.
The switch will continue to stay in auto discovery mode on all ports in their default state unless:
•
A port had previously participated in the auto-fabric discovery window. Once a port participates in the
discovery window the port will not participate in the next discovery window.
•
If the learned configuration is written to the configuration file, the port will not participate in discov-
ery on next reload.
•
If only an MVRP configuration is discovered on a port and there are no VLAN registrations for that
port, during the next discovery window the MVRP configuration will be removed and the auto-discov-
ery process will again run on that port.