Operation Manual – IRF FabricH3C S5600 Series Ethernet Switches Chapter 1 IRF Fabric Configuration1-1Chapter 1 IRF Fabric ConfigurationWhen configuring IRF fabric, go to these sections for information you are interested in:z Introduction to IRFz IRF Fabric Configurationz Displaying and Maintaining IRF Fabricz IRF Fabric Configuration Example1.1 Introduction to IRFIntelligent Resilient Framework (IRF), a feature particular to H3C S5600 seriesswitches, is a new technology for building the core of a network. This feature allows youto build an IRF fabric by interconnecting several S5600 series switches to provide moreports for network devices and improve the reliability of your network.1.1.1 Establishment of an IRF FabricI. Topology and connections of an IRF fabricAn IRF fabric typically has a ring topology structure. As shown in Figure 1-1, eachS5600 switch uses two special ports on the rear panel to connect with two otherswitches in the fabric. The two ports are called fabric ports in general, UP port andDOWN port respectively; the other ports of the switch, which are available forconnections with users or devices outside the fabric, are called user ports.Figure 1-1 A schematic diagram of an IRF fabricA correctly built IRF fabric features the following:z Multiple S5600 series switches are interconnected through their fabric ports.z Given a switch, its UP port is connected to the DOWN port of another switch, andits DOWN port is connected to the UP port of a third one.Port connection mode for S5600 series ring topology IRF fabric is shown in Figure 1-2.
