1-11 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 ExampleIntroduction to IRFIntelligent Resilient Framework (IRF), a feature particular to H3C S5600 series switches, is a newtechnology for building the core of a network. This feature allows you to build an IRF fabric byinterconnecting several S5600 series switches to provide more ports for network devices and improvethe reliability of your network.AdvantagesIRF features the following advantages:z Streamlined management. After an IRF is established, you can log in to the IRF system byconnecting to any port of any member to manage all IRF members.z High reliability. An IRF system comprises multiple member devices: the master runs, manages andmaintains the IRF, whereas the slaves process services as well as functioning as the backups. Assoon as the master fails, the IRF system elects a new master immediately to prevent serviceinterruption and implement 1:N backup. Besides, the physical links between the IRF system andthe upper or lower layer devices can be aggregated, and thus the reliability of the IRF system isincreased through the link backup.z Powerful network expansion capability. By adding member devices, the number of IRF ports andnetwork bandwidth of the IRF system can be easily expanded. Each member device has its ownCPU and they can process and forward protocol packets independently; therefore, the processingcapability of the IRF system also can be easily expanded.Application and AdvantagesTypically, you can use an IRF in the distribution layer; and you can also apply it in the access layer. AnIRF is a single logical device to the users and devices of the upper layer and lower layer, as shown inFigure 1-1.
