Intelligent Resilient Framework (IRF) is a software virtualization technology developed by H3C. IRF combines multiple physical devices into a logical device. IRF 2.0 is a common virtualization technology that combines multiple devices into a virtual device.  It allows one to aggregate 2 or more switches into a single switching and routing system also known as a “virtual switch”. IRF is available on many of the HPN A-Series switches.

IRF offers the following key advantages:
  • Load balancing, aggregation and redundancy at all levels and of all functions: Link, L2 and L3 Forwarding, Management and Security.
  • Simplified LAN design: by aggregating switches at the core and distribution layer, the combination of MSTP and VRRP, with all the complexity it implies in design, implementation and maintenance, is no longer required to achieve load balancing and resiliency.

irf

 

A short checklist for creating a IRF stack on 2 HP switches. I executed this on 2 HP A3600 EI switches:

  1. Login onto the switch using the console port
  2. sys (Enter system view)
  3. show version (Ensure that both switches are running the same software version)
  4. reset saved-configuration (Reset the config)
  5. irf member 1 renumber 1 (Assign an IRF member number to the first switch)
  6. irf member 1 renumber 2 (Assign an IRF member number to the second switch)
  7. quit (Quit to user view)
  8. save (Save the config)
  9. reboot (Reboot the switches)
  10. irf mac-address persistent always (Enable MAC address persistance)
  11. irf member 1 priority 32 (Set the highest prio on the first member/switch)
  12. irf member 2 priority 30 (Set the second highest prio on the second member/switch)
  13. int GigabitEthernet 1/0/51
  14. shut
  15. int GigabitEthernet 1/0/52
  16. shut
  17. int GigabitEhternet 2/0/51
  18. shut
  19. int GigabitEthernet 2/0/52
  20. shut (shutdown all interfaces you want to use for IRF on both switches)
  21. irf port 1/1 (Create IRF port 1/1 on the first member)
  22. port group interface GigabitEthernet 1/0/51 (add the switch port to the IRF port)
  23. quit
  24. irf port 1/2 (Create IRF port 1/2 on the first member)
  25. port group interface GigabitEthernet 1/0/52 (add the switch port to the IRF port)
  26. quit
  27. irf port 2/1 (Create IRF port 2/1 on the second member)
  28. port group interface GigabitEthernet 2/0/51 (add the switch port to the IRF port)
  29. quit
  30. irf port 2/2 (Create IRF port 2/2 on the second member)
  31. port group interface GigabitEthernet 2/0/52 (add the switch port to the IRF port)
  32. quit
  33. save (Save config)
  34. interface GigabitEthernet 1/0/51
  35. undo shut
  36. interface GigabitEthernet 1/0/52
  37. undo shut
  38. interface GigabitEthernet 2/0/51
  39. undo shut
  40. interface GigabitEthernet 2/0/52
  41. undo shut (enable all interfaces you want to use for IRF on both switches)
  42. irf-port-configuration active (Activate the IRF config on BOTH switches)
  43. Now connect your fiber CROSSWISE, so 1/0/51 to 2/0/52 and 1/0/52 to 2/0/51
  44. ATTENTION: The second IRF member will reboot! Wait for it to get back up. You will see the switches negotiate for about 30 seconds before the IRF becomes active.
  45. If all works well;
  46. quit
  47. save
  48. reboot
  49. disp irf (Display the IRF setup)
  50. disp irf topology (Display the IRF Topology)
  51. Both irf port should be up. If one is DOWN or DIS(abled), something went wrong.
  52. Check the IRF prio of the second member. It should be 30.

 

Summary Configuration :

irf domain 60
irf mac-address persistent timer
irf auto-update enable
undo irf link-delay
!
irf member 1 renumber 1
irf member 1 renumber 2
quit
save
reboot
!
irf mac-address persistent always
irf member 1 priority 32
irf member 2 priority 30
!
interface Ten-GigabitEthernet1/0/47
description IRF Link to ** (2/0/47) **
shut
!
interface Ten-GigabitEthernet1/0/48
description IRF Link to ** (2/0/48) **
shut
!

interface Ten-GigabitEthernet2/0/47
description IRF Link to ** (1/0/47) **
shut
!
interface Ten-GigabitEthernet2/0/48
description IRF Link to ** (1/0/48) **
shut
!
irf-port 1/2
port group interface Ten-GigabitEthernet1/0/47 mode enhanced
port group interface Ten-GigabitEthernet1/0/48 mode enhanced
quit
!
irf-port 2/1
port group interface Ten-GigabitEthernet2/0/47 mode enhanced
port group interface Ten-GigabitEthernet2/0/48 mode enhanced
quit
!
save
!
interface Ten-GigabitEthernet1/0/47
undo shut
!
interface Ten-GigabitEthernet1/0/48
undo shut
!
interface Ten-GigabitEthernet2/0/47
undo shut
!
interface Ten-GigabitEthernet2/0/48
undo shut
!
irf-port-configuration active
quit
save
reboot

Troubleshooting :

disp irf (Display the IRF setup)
disp irf topology (Display the IRF Topology)

Both irf port should be up. If one is DOWN or DIS(abled), something went wrong.
Check the IRF priority of the second member. It should be 30.