IRF configuration on Comware in ring topology. Comware version 7.1.010 (HPE 5130 24G SFP 4SFP+ EI switch).
Real-world use case
You need to make a ring topology more reliable using HP/H3C switches: here's the IRF configuration under Comware OS.
Configuring a virtual chassis under HPE Comware
IRF technology lets you virtually stack physical elements, unifying switch management. In the following article, I use these switches: HPE 5130 24G SFP 4SFP+ EI (JG933A) and two 10GB SFP+ DAC cables. It's also possible to perform the steps below on all 51xx and 55xx models. We'll set up a ring topology by connecting member port 1: irf 1/1 with port irf 2/2 on member 2, and conversely: irf 1/2 on member 1 with port irf 2/1 on member 2.
Setting up IRF (Switch 2)
A switch is IRF member 1 by default, so we'll change switch 2's number:
system-view
irf member 1 renumber 2
save
quit
reboot
y(yes to reboot)
Once switch-2 has rebooted, here's the command to check the Member ID change:
display irf
MemberID Role Priority CPU-Mac Description
*+2 Master 1 00e0-fc0f-8c03 ---
--------------------------------------------------
* indicates the device is the master.
+ indicates the device through which the user logs in.
The bridge MAC of the IRF is: 4cae-a31c-7ece
Auto upgrade : yes
Mac persistent : 6 min
Domain ID : 0
You'll also notice that all our interfaces are incremented with the number 2:
display int brief
Brief information on interfaces in route mode:
Link: ADM - administratively down; Stby - standby
Protocol: (s) - spoofing
Interface Link Protocol Primary IP Description
InLoop0 UP UP(s) --
NULL0 UP UP(s) --
Brief information on interfaces in bridge mode:
Link: ADM - administratively down; Stby - standby
Speed: (a) - auto
Duplex: (a)/A - auto; H - half; F - full
Type: A - access; T - trunk; H - hybrid
Interface Link Speed Duplex Type PVID Description
GE2/0/1 DOWN auto A A 1
GE2/0/2 DOWN auto A A 1
GE2/0/3 DOWN auto A A 1
GE2/0/4 DOWN auto A A 1
GE2/0/5 DOWN auto A A 1
GE2/0/6 DOWN auto A A 1
GE2/0/7 DOWN auto A A 1
GE2/0/8 DOWN auto A A 1
GE2/0/9 DOWN auto A A 1
GE2/0/10 DOWN auto A A 1
[...]
The switch's priority needs to be configured. The default value is 1, and the highest is 32. The highest value takes priority. In my case, I'll leave the number 32 on member 1 (SW1) and set priority 31 on member 2 (SW2):
irf member 2 priority 31
Switch-2's ports need to be disabled before being added to the IRF port:
interface Ten-GigabitEthernet 2/0/25
shutdown
interface Ten-GigabitEthernet 2/0/26
shutdown
The ports are now physically inactive, so we can now add them to the IRF port:
irf-port 2/1
port group interface Ten-GigabitEthernet 2/0/25
irf-port 2/2
port group interface Ten-GigabitEthernet 2/0/26
Activating the IRF interfaces:
irf-port-configuration active
We also need to bring the physical ports back online (UP):
interface Ten-GigabitEthernet 2/0/25
undo shutdown
interface Ten-GigabitEthernet 2/0/26
undo shutdown
Finally, let's save our configuration:
save
Setting up IRF (Switch 1)
Switch-1's ports also need to be disabled before being added to the IRF port:
interface Ten-GigabitEthernet 1/0/25
shutdown
interface Ten-GigabitEthernet 1/0/26
shutdown
The ports are now physically inactive, so we can now add them to the IRF port:
irf-port 1/2
port group interface Ten-GigabitEthernet 1/0/25
irf-port 1/2
port group interface Ten-GigabitEthernet 1/0/26
Activating the IRF interfaces:
irf-port-configuration active
We also need to bring the physical ports back online (UP):
interface Ten-GigabitEthernet 1/0/25
undo shutdown
interface Ten-GigabitEthernet 1/0/26
undo shutdown
Switch 2 will now reboot, and a few seconds later our IRF is configured:
display irf configuration
MemberID NewID IRF-Port1 IRF-Port2
1 1 Ten-GigabitEthernet1/0/25 Ten-GigabitEthernet1/0/26
2 2 Ten-GigabitEthernet2/0/25 Ten-GigabitEthernet2/0/26
display irf topology
Topology Info
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
IRF-Port1 IRF-Port2
MemberID Link neighbor Link neighbor Belong To
1 UP 2 UP 2 00e0-fc0f-8c02
2 UP 1 UP 1 00e0-fc0f-8c02
Let's check that, from switch-1, switch 2's interfaces (member 2) are accessible:
display interface brief
If so, it's now possible to directly reboot switch 2 like this:
reboot slot 2
This command will reboot the specified slot, Continue? [Y/N]:Y
Now rebooting, please wait...
%Jul 24 16:50:44:181 2019 SW1-LTB DEV/5/BOARD_REBOOT: Board is rebooting on slot 2.
The IRF configuration (ring topology) on two switches is now working.