User guide

Virtual Chassis Overview Configuring Virtual Chassis
page 13-6 OmniSwitch AOS Release 8 Switch Management Guide May 2014
Virtual Chassis Overview
Virtual Chassis is a group of chassis managed through a single management IP address. It provides both
node level and link level redundancy for both layer 2 and layer 3 protocols and services. This section
describes the main topics regarding Virtual Chassis such as benefits, components, mode of operation,
configuration conversion, start up and redundancy.
Some of the key benefits provided by a Virtual Chassis are:
• A single, simplified configuration to maintain
• Optimized bandwidth usage between the access layer and core
• Provides predictable and consistent convergence with redundant links to the two chassis
• Allows for exclusion of spanning-tree and other redundancy protocols like VRRP between the access
layer and the core
• A Virtual Chassis appears as single router or bridge with support for all protocols
• A Virtual Chassis can be upgraded using ISSU to minimize network impact
Virtual Chassis Topologies
Virtual Chassis Concepts and Components
Virtual Chassis is an OmniSwitch feature that requires specific building blocks to provide full functional-
ity. The following sections highlight the various components of a Virtual Chassis architecture.
Virtual Chassis - The entity consisting of multiple physical chassis connected using the virtual-fabric
links.
Master Chassis - The Master chassis in a virtual chassis topology acting as the entry point for manage-
ment and control operations. All configuration changes will be made on this chassis and communicated to
the Slave chassis. The VC LED will be green.
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