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Chapter 23 Cluster Configuration
23.1 Introduction To Cluster
Cluster network management is an in-band configuration management. Unlike CLI,
SNMP and Web Config which implement a direct management of the target switches
through a management workstation, cluster network management implements a direct
management of the target switches (member switches) through an intermediate switch
(commander switch). A commander switch can manage multiple member switches. As
soon as a Public IP address is configured in the commander switch, all the member
switches which are configured with private IP addresses can be managed remotely. This
feature economizes public IP addresses which are short of supply. Cluster network
management can dynamically discover cluster feature enabled switches (candidate
switches). Network administrators can statically or dynamically add the candidate
switches to the cluster which is already established. Accordingly, they can configure and
manage the member switches through the commander switch. When the member
switches are distributed in various physical locations (such as on the different floors of
the same building), cluster network management has obvious advantages. Moreover,
cluster network management is an in-band management. The commander switch can
communicate with member switches in existing network. There is no need to build a
specific network for network management.
Cluster network management has the following features:
z
Save IP addresses
z
Simplify configuration tasks
z
Indifference to network topology and distance limitation
z
Auto detecting and auto establishing
z
With factory default settings, multiple switches can be managed through cluster
network management
z
The commander switch can upgrade and configure any member switches in the
cluster
23.2 Cluster Management Configuration Sequence
1. Enable or disable cluster function
2. Create cluster
