Hello Ivan_B,
I was able to resolve the issues thanks to your support.
However, I have a different issue now with the H3C S703E switch.
An attempt to connect 2 H3C S7503E switches in a stack failed.
The switch with lower priority and member ID keeps rebooting.
I can confirm that:
1. OS version on both switches are the same.
*Comware Software, Version 5.20.105, Release 6703
2. The connection is with 10Gb SFP+ transceiver modules and fibers
*All the transceiver modules are of the same type.
I have also tried using SFP+ cables to connect to the SFP+ transceivers.
The inserted card module is LSQ1TGS8SC.
3. irf-port configuration for both switches.
irf-port 1/1 on switch 1 is connected to irf-port 2/1 on switch 2 and vice versa.
Switch 1
irf-port 1/1
port group interface Ten-GigabitEthernet1/3/0/1 mode enhanced
#
irf-port 1/2
port group interface Ten-GigabitEthernet1/3/0/2 mode enhanced
Switch 2
irf-port 2/1
port group interface Ten-GigabitEthernet2/3/0/2 mode enhanced
#
irf-port 2/2
port group interface Ten-GigabitEthernet2/3/0/1 mode enhanced
#
*irf-port configuration and mode looks good.
4. Both switches are in irf mode.
*I ran the "chassis convert mode irf" comand in system-view.
Both switches have different member IDs and priorities.
The procedure for connecting the switches is that I would
shutdown the switch with the lower priority after the irf settings,
connect the fiber cables to the appropriate ports and then boot up
the switch to join the stack but it wont.
Any Idea what I might have gotten wrong?
------------------------------
Obioma Okoroafor
------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: Apr 13, 2022 05:52 AM
From: Ivan ivan.bondar@hpe.com
Subject: HP 5500 EI IRF Stack
It won't happen if you follow a simple procedure:
1. Connect the new device to the stack
2. Wait for it to reboot and join the stack as standby. On this step it takes the configuration from Master
3. Save the configuration on all stack members (good practice is to use 'save safely force' command).
------------------------------
Ivan Bondar
Original Message:
Sent: Apr 13, 2022 02:41 AM
From: Obioma Okoroafor
Subject: HP 5500 EI IRF Stack
Thank you for responding swiftly.
The second part of my question is slightly wrong.
I meant to ask if there is a chance that the configuration in the new switch (C in the above case) overwrites the
the configuration in the existing master switch (B), especially if added while powered-on?
Thank you.
------------------------------
Obioma Okoroafor
Original Message:
Sent: Apr 13, 2022 02:32 AM
From: Ivan ivan.bondar@hpe.com
Subject: HP 5500 EI IRF Stack
My understanding is that switch C is configured with the same member ID and priority as switch A and connected to the IRFstack while powered on. And that because there is not "saved-configuration" in switch C, although it is higher in priority,it takes the configuration from switch B and takes over the master role.
Correct me if I am wrong.
You are slightly wrong here. When the stack is operational, e.g. there is an already elected Master switch, no matter how high is the configured priority in the newly introduced device, current Master will remain Master.
Is it also possible that the configuration in switch A (the wrong configuration) is introduced to switch B (which houses the main config),thereby replacing the configuration and disrupting the entire network?
No, it is not possible as the new switch C will join the stack as Standby and will inherit the configuration from the current Master.
------------------------------
Ivan Bondar
Original Message:
Sent: Apr 12, 2022 10:26 PM
From: Obioma Okoroafor
Subject: HP 5500 EI IRF Stack
Hello Ivan_B
Thank you for the clarification.
My next question is slightly different from the one above.
In a situation where switch A (priority 32) and switch B (Priority 10) exists in a
stack, switch A reboots due to a fault(but still running) and switch B takes over the master role.
The reason for the incessant reboot of Switch A is unknown, for that it has to be replaced with switch C (newly acquired).
My understanding is that switch C is configured with the same member ID and priority as switch A and connected to the IRF
stack while powered on. And that because there is not "saved-configuration" in switch C, although it is higher in priority,
it takes the configuration from switch B and takes over the master role.
Correct me if I am wrong.
Is it also possible that the configuration in switch A (the wrong configuration) is introduced to switch B (which houses the main config),
thereby replacing the configuration and disrupting the entire network?
------------------------------
Obioma Okoroafor
Original Message:
Sent: Apr 06, 2022 03:19 AM
From: Ivan ivan.bondar@hpe.com
Subject: HP 5500 EI IRF Stack
The command is 'port group interface <port_number> mode enhanced' or just 'port group interface <port_number> normal' under the 'irf-port<number>' context.
For more details - https://support.hpe.com/hpesc/public/docDisplay?docLocale=en_US&docId=c03180017 , page 24
------------------------------
Ivan Bondar
Original Message:
Sent: Apr 06, 2022 01:38 AM
From: Obioma Okoroafor
Subject: HP 5500 EI IRF Stack
Thank you for the swift response.
Understood!
This is what I did:
[HP]interface ten 2/1/2
[HP-Ten-GigabitEthernet2/1/2]shutdown
[HP-Ten-GigabitEthernet2/1/2]irf port normal
^
% Unrecognized command found at '^' position.
[HP-Ten-GigabitEthernet2/1/2]
I got the above error message when I tried to set the irf-port mode to normal.
The only option available is:
[HP-irf-port2/1]irf-port ?
load-sharing Link load sharing
Please what am I doing differently?
Thank you.
------------------------------
Obioma Okoroafor
Original Message:
Sent: Apr 06, 2022 01:18 AM
From: Ivan ivan.bondar@hpe.com
Subject: HP 5500 EI IRF Stack
The binding mode of IRF ports on the new switch should match the setting on the existing stack. It says in the IRF guide - "Make sure the two ends of an IRF link use the same binding mode." This is valid for all kinds of IRF ports, no matter if you use front ports or ports on additional modules.
------------------------------
Ivan Bondar
Original Message:
Sent: Apr 05, 2022 08:18 PM
From: Obioma Okoroafor
Subject: HP 5500 EI IRF Stack
Hello Ivan_B
My IRF stack environment shows the following configuration.
Before adding a new switch to the stack or replacing a stack member,
do I need to set the mode for the new switch to {enhanced}
before adding it to the stack?
irf-port 1/1
port group interface Ten-GigabitEthernet1/0/29 mode enhanced
#
irf-port 1/2
port group interface Ten-GigabitEthernet1/0/30 mode enhanced
#
irf-port 2/1
port group interface Ten-GigabitEthernet2/0/29 mode enhanced
#
irf-port 2/2
port group interface Ten-GigabitEthernet2/0/30 mode enhanced
#
Also, if the switches are stacked using IRF stack module at the back,
do I need to worry about port modes?
Thank you.
------------------------------
Obioma Okoroafor
Original Message:
Sent: Mar 11, 2022 01:09 AM
From: Ivan ivan.bondar@hpe.com
Subject: HP 5500 EI IRF Stack
Does replacing the interface card and reconnecting the stack cables restore the switch to normal operation in the stack?
Yes, it does. The new card will take the same slot in the switch, thus its ports will have the same numbers which means the IRF configuration will work without need of any changes.
Also, is the stack member (or master) switch replacement procedure the same for Comware 5 and 7 switches?
Yes, it is the same.
------------------------------
Ivan Bondar
Original Message:
Sent: Mar 10, 2022 10:36 PM
From: Obioma Okoroafor
Subject: HP 5500 EI IRF Stack
Hello Ivan_B,
Thank you for your responses.
In a situation where a HP 5500 HI switch stack member`s interface card becomes faulty,
my assumption is that the stack link breaks, and the faulty switch in not recognised by other
stack members.
Does replacing the interface card and reconnecting the stack cables restore the switch
to normal operation in the stack?
if not, please what procedure should be taken?
Also, is the stack member (or master) switch replacement procedure the same for Comware 5 and 7 switches?
If there is a document that describes the replacement procedure for comware 7 switches (7500 for instance), please share.
Thank you.
------------------------------
Obioma Okoroafor
Original Message:
Sent: Mar 07, 2022 01:01 AM
From: Ivan ivan.bondar@hpe.com
Subject: HP 5500 EI IRF Stack
Nope, there is no need of that. You just need to introduce minimal IRF configuration to the new device, then when it will join the stack it will get the rest of the config from the IRF Master. One hint - when a new device completes joining the stack (e.g. reboots and joins the stack as IRF Standby) save the current configuration by 'save' command on the whole stack. This will update 'saved-configuration' file (typically 'startup.cfg') on all devices including the new member.
------------------------------
Ivan Bondar
Original Message:
Sent: Mar 06, 2022 09:56 PM
From: Obioma Okoroafor
Subject: HP 5500 EI IRF Stack
Thank you Ivan_B.
I just realized that I skipped the irf-port-configuration active command. I was able to re-introduce the switch back to the stack.
Just out of curiosity though, do I need to copy an IRF stack configuration file to a new switch before adding it to the stack when replacing
a stack member(master or slave)?
Thank you.
------------------------------
Obioma Okoroafor
Original Message:
Sent: Mar 03, 2022 03:46 AM
From: Ivan ivan.bondar@hpe.com
Subject: HP 5500 EI IRF Stack
Hi,
Did you start the IRF merging process by running 'irf-port-configuration active' command on the new switch?
------------------------------
Ivan Bondar
Original Message:
Sent: Mar 03, 2022 03:15 AM
From: Obioma Okoroafor
Subject: HP 5500 EI IRF Stack
Hello Ivan_B
Thanks for responding!
I have a different question this time.
We have a stack of two HP 5500-24G-SFP HI (2 slots) switches in my environment.
This is an extract from the stack configuration file that shows the binding ports.
irf-port 1/1
port group interface Ten-GigabitEthernet1/0/29 mode enhanced
#
irf-port 1/2
port group interface Ten-GigabitEthernet1/0/30 mode enhanced
#
irf-port 2/1
port group interface Ten-GigabitEthernet2/0/29 mode enhanced
#
irf-port 2/2
port group interface Ten-GigabitEthernet2/0/30 mode enhanced
#
I recently acquired another switch(same model) to replace the master switch but,
After factory-resetting the new switch(Master), re-configuring the member ID and Priority to the previous
settings, reconnecting the IRF links did not restore the IRF environment.
I looked at the configuration file of the subordinate switch, and as expected it is now the master switch.
Switch Role Priority CPU-Mac Description
*+2 Master 31 d894-0376-1793 -----
--------------------------------------------------
How do I re-introduce the master switch to the stack without re-configuring all the
switches to form a new stack?
Thank you.
------------------------------
Obioma Okoroafor
Original Message:
Sent: Feb 17, 2022 02:05 AM
From: Ivan ivan.bondar@hpe.com
Subject: HP 5500 EI IRF Stack
Check the Installation Guide for the platform https://support.hpe.com/hpesc/public/docDisplay?docId=emr_na-c02645073 , it's got illustrations on IRF cabling on pages 31-32.
------------------------------
Ivan Bondar
Original Message:
Sent: Feb 17, 2022 01:37 AM
From: Obioma Okoroafor
Subject: HP 5500 EI IRF Stack
Hello Ivan_B,
Thank you for the clarification.
However, the documents I have seen, including the one you shared with me do not have an illustration of how
to stack up two switches properly using the CX4 cables.
In my case, I have two modules installed at the back of each switch giving me 4 ports in all for 1 switch.
How do I connect the two CX4 cables?
------------------------------
Obioma Okoroafor
Original Message:
Sent: Feb 16, 2022 03:12 AM
From: Ivan ivan.bondar@hpe.com
Subject: HP 5500 EI IRF Stack
Hi Obioma,
Yes, you are right, there are no dedicated stack ports on 5500. These use IRF technology for stacking, which on its turn uses ordinary 10G Ethernet ports. So you don't need any stack module, there is no such. What you need is am expansion interface card with 10G ports - either copper or with transceivers.
Please, check https://support.hpe.com/hpesc/public/docDisplay?docLocale=en_US&docId=c02645768 , page 11, "IRF physical port restrictions and cabling requirements" section.
As for the cables - as a minimum you need just one cable, it will be enough to fire up the stack, but I recommend at least two physical links dedicated to IRF-ports link for redundancy.
------------------------------
Ivan Bondar
Original Message:
Sent: Feb 16, 2022 03:00 AM
From: Obioma Okoroafor
Subject: HP 5500 EI IRF Stack
Hello
I recently acquired two HP 5500 El switches for my lab environment and would like to stack them.
I have learnt that there are no dedicated stack ports for these switches and that I need a stack module and CX4 cables to stack them.
How many CX4 cables do I need to stack these switches and how should I connect the cables?
Please also share documents describing the topology for two switches if available.
Thank you.
------------------------------
Obioma Okoroafor
------------------------------