Comware

Hello!

I have an IRF stack with 2 HPE switch that will be change the new two switch the HPE in guarantee. I backed up the startup.cfg file. Can I backup the IRF stack config? Or when I install phisically the 2 new switch Can I create the IRF stack config manually like the following URL contain?

https://geekstuff.org/2019/05/28/irf-stack-2-switches/

Thanks.

Hi @adam900331 !

You have 3 options:

1. Replace switches one by one. This document will be helpful as an example of such replacement - https://internal.support.hpe.com/hpesc/public/docDisplay?docLocale=en_US&docId=sf000005597en_us

2. Replace both at once. For that you need to save the IRF's configuration to a file, renumber each new switch by 'irf member <current_id> renumber <new_id>', load the old backed up configuration _to each of new switches_, connect IRF cables and exectute 'irf-port-configuration active' command on both switches.

3. Reconfigure IRF stack from the scratch, if you want to follow that guide you've mentioned.

Hy!

If I choose the option 3, I create the IRF stack from the scratch succesfully, after it Can I upload the backed up startup config?

Thanks.

If you will use absolutely the same IRF ports numbers on both switches and both new switches will have same IRF member IDs as old ones, then yes, you should be able to restore the old configuration using "restore startup-configuration..." as  the most straightforward option among several available.

When I create the IRF stack on the two switch, the two switch is connect to the LAN, can I connect the two switch with each other wit two DAC cable? Won't it cause a broadcas storm in the network?

Thanks?

If you will use those two DAC cables for IRF, it won't cause any loop, because IRF protocol has embedded loop prevention for the ports used for IRF. But I recommend you to avoid logical ring when you have only two IRF devices, instead use logical chain with two ports.

Instead of this:

irf-port 1/1
 port group interface Ten-GigabitEthernet1/0/23
#
irf-port 1/2
 port group interface Ten-GigabitEthernet1/0/24
#
irf-port 2/1
 port group interface Ten-GigabitEthernet2/0/23
#
irf-port 2/2
 port group interface Ten-GigabitEthernet2/0/24

 
Use this:

irf-port 1/1
 port group interface Ten-GigabitEthernet1/0/23
 port group interface Ten-GigabitEthernet1/0/24
#
irf-port 2/2
 port group interface Ten-GigabitEthernet2/0/23
 port group interface Ten-GigabitEthernet2/0/24

It provides same level of redundancy, but from IRF protocol's view there is no loop, because one logical port irf-port1/1 is connected to another logical port irf-port2/2. It's not like the first example will break something, as I already stated IRF protocol will take care of this "loop" over the IRF links, but on some models it's known to create issues, so better stay on the safe side and avoid logical IRF loop topology unless you have 3 and more IRF devices in the stack.

Thanks for Your advice.

I thinking about the reconfiguration process. Can you check it?

There are two HPE OfficeConnect 1950 switch with IRF stack. I have to change these two switch to the new one. I have already backed up the ,,old IRF stack" startup configuration with tftp. I decided to use the option 3 (what you advised in your previous reply). I want to create the IRF stack from scratch, and after it, upload to the old startup config to the new IRF stack.  I connect to the switches with SSH. I don't connect the two switches with each other. This is my plan:

Master sw:
Sysname Master
Int vlan-interface 1 
Ip address 192.168.53.200 255.255.255.0

Irf member 1 priority 32
Int range t1/0/15 to t1/0/16
Shutdown
Quit

Irf-port 1/1
Port group int t1/0/15
Port group int t1/0/16
Quit

Int range t1/0/15 to 1/0/16
Undo shutdown
Irf-port-configuration active
Save force

Slave sw:
Sysname Slave
Int vlan-interface 1 
Ip address 192.168.53.201 255.255.255.0

Irf member 1 renumber 2
Save force
Quit
Reboot

Int range t2/015 to t2/0/16
Shutdown
Quit

Irf-port 2/2
Port group interface t2/0/15
Port group interface t2/0/16

Int range t2/015 to t2/0/16
Undo shutdown
Irf-port-configuration active
Save force

When I configured the two switch I will connect each other with DAC cable: T1/0/15 to T2/0/15 and T1/0/16 to 2/0/16. When I connected it, the slave switch will reboot.

Are these steps valid for IRF stack?

Thanks.

The configuration seems ok, but keep in mind that IP address 192.168.53.201 on the Standby (Slot 2) switch won't be active when the switch joins the stack, because Master's 192.168.53.200 will take precedense. Also, after you save the configuration when the stack is joined, that 192.168.53.201 will disappear from the saved-configuration as well. In other words if this IP will exist only while the switch is standalone in sake of access to the switch during initial IRF configuation, it's fine. Otherwise Vlan-interface on all IRF members should have same configuration. Just FYI.

Also, there is one suggestion, just to develop correct skills - do not execute "irf-port-configuration activate' BEFORE you saved the config with IRF physical ports in 'undo shutdown' state. It's ok to do this if you plan to connect IRF cables afterwards, but many times we have to configure already cabled devices from remote, so this order of operations will lead to problems after Standby reboots. It's a little bit tricky, but if you do this:

Int range t2/0/15 to t2/0/16
Undo shutdown
Irf-port-configuration active

the Standby will reboot right away and many times it will do it BEFORE you will have a chance to execute 'save force' and as a result it will boot with Ten2/015;Ten2/0/16 in 'shutdown' state.

Therefore the good practice is to swap the order of commands and make it like this:

Int range t2/0/15 to t2/0/16
Undo shutdown
quit
save safely force
Irf-port-configuration active

Important fact: "IRF port active" state is not saved in the 'saved-configuration', therefore it won't hurt if you activate IRF ports after saving the config.

Keep in mind that I give you example with IRF ports on the Slot 2, but this is valid for ALL IRF members, not only for Standby. This is a simple rule that will potentially save you a LOT of troubles when configuring IRF stack will all cables already plugged in. 

Thank You for Your professional guidance!

Another question: When I created the IRF stack, can I restore the old startup config with these command? restore startup-configuration...

Thanks.

As I can see you prefer to configure your switch using CLI and since this switch is very GUI-centric, you need to use command reference and configuration guides for a device that is closest to 1950 by its features. You can use 5130 EI for this purpose. This is not 1:1 match, 5130 has much more features, but if youi have any doubts about the meaning of this or that command, its format etc, you can use docs for 5130 as a reference point. Check the Fundamentals Command Reference Guide for it here https://internal.support.hpe.com/hpesc/public/docDisplay?docLocale=en_US&docId=c04771719 page 163 for the details of 'restore startup-configuration' command.
Another useful guide would be Fundamentals Configuration Guide - https://support.hpe.com/hpesc/public/docDisplay?docLocale=en_US&docId=c04771704 page 109, "Restoring the main next-startup configuration file from a TFTP server" section.

Thanks. I created the IRF stack, when I run the disp irf I see that the role is the following: Master and Standby.

Are these roles is the default? Are there any roles type?

Thanks.