1-5information holdtime, it changes its state to Active; otherwise, it changes its state to Disconnect.z If the communication between the management device and a member device is recovered, themember device which is in Disconnect state will be added to the cluster. After that, the state of themember device locally and on the management device will be changed to Active.Besides, a member device informs the management device using handshake packets when there is aneighbor topology change.Management VLANThe management VLAN is a VLAN used for communication in a cluster; it limits the clustermanagement range. Through configuration of the management VLAN, the following functions can beimplemented:z Management packets (including NDP, NTDP and handshake packets) are restricted within themanagement VLAN, therefore isolated from other packets, which enhances security.z The management device and the member devices communicate with each other through themanagement VLAN.For a cluster to work normally, you must set the packets from the management VLAN to pass the portsconnecting the management device and the member/candidate devices (including the cascade ports).Therefore:z If the packets from the management VLAN cannot pass a port, the device connected with the portcannot be added to the cluster. Therefore, if the ports (including the cascade ports) connecting themanagement device and the member/candidate devices prohibit the packets from themanagement VLAN, you can set the packets from the management VLAN to pass the ports oncandidate devices with the management VLAN auto-negotiation function.z Only when the default VLAN ID of the cascade ports and the ports connecting the managementdevice and the member/candidate devices is that of the management VLAN can you set thepackets without tags from the management VLAN to pass the ports; otherwise, only the packetswith tags from the management VLAN can pass the ports.z If a candidate device is connected to a management device through another candidate device, theports between the two candidate devices are cascade ports.z For information about VLAN, refer to VLAN Configuration.Cluster Configuration Task ListBefore configuring a cluster, you need to determine the roles and functions the devices play. You alsoneed to configure the related functions, preparing for the communication between devices within thecluster.Complete these tasks to configure a cluster:Task RemarksConfiguring the Enabling NDP Globally and for Specific Ports Optional
