Key Concepts 319n Virtual router master — The VRRP router that forwards packets sentto the IP addresses associated with the virtual router. Also called theMaster router. A virtual router is the Master when:n You configure it (using the Administration console, the WebManagement console, or SNMP) as the primary IP address for agiven interfacen Backing up a Master that has been disconnected or disabledn Virtual router backup — The VRRP router available to assumepacket forwarding responsibility for a virtual router should the Masterfail. Also called the Backup router.n IP address owner — The router that is the original owner of the IPaddresses that virtual router incorporates into its own IP address set.The IP address owner must be a VRRP participant.n Primary IP address — An IP address selected from the set of availableinterface addresses. This is the IP address that VRRP uses in itsadvertisements that supply the source of the IP packet.n Virtual router initialize — A state in which a virtual router is definedbut not enabled. A virtual router is also in the initialize state when itsassociated interface is not operational.How VRRP Works When you assign Master router responsibilities to one of the virtualrouters on the LAN, the Master controls the IP addresses associated witha virtual router. The Master router forwards the IP packets sent to the IPaddresses it controls.The backup process works as follows. The Master router sends outperiodic VRRP advertisement messages, at time intervals you set, to theother VRRP routers and to the hosts on the common LAN. (A VRRPadvertisement consists of the IP addresses that the Master owns and thevirtual MAC address of the virtual router.) If the Master stops forwardingadvertisements to the other routers for a predetermined period of time,the other routers automatically enter an election process to determinewhich router takes over Master responsibilities.
