Specifications

AMF Introduction and Configuration
New and Enhanced Features in AlliedWare Plus 5.4.4 Major and Minor Versions 113
AMF Terminology and Introduction
This section contains a glossary of terminology used to describe AMF networking.
AMF Network
Conceptually an AMF network is a collection of interconnected network switch nodes. This
interconnection in turn comprises a hierarchy of network domains. These terms are
explained in more detail later in this chapter.
Network name Because networks are able to interconnect, an AMF network name is necessary to identify
the AMF network to which any given node belongs. It follows therefore, that all nodes
within a single AMF network must be configured with the same AMF network name.
AMF Nodes
Two types of nodes exist within an AMF network, Master Nodes and Member Nodes.
Either type can comprise either a single switch, or a VCStack.
Master Nodes Master nodes are user defined by configuration. They then form the core domain of the
AMF network. Aspects of master node functionality include:
■ performing file system backups of all nodes in the AMF network.
■ providing an essential component for the formation of an AMF network. That is, an
AMF network cannot exist without the existence of at least one master node.
■ at least one master node must be present for an AMF network to exist.
When more than one AMF master node exists in an AMF network, their operation is
completely independent and unsynchronized.
Member Nodes AMF member nodes are referred to simply as nodes.
Node Licensing
Master node
License
AMF master nodes are supported on selected switch platforms: an AMF license is required
for each master. For a list of node capability against specific switch types, see Table 1 on
page 110
Only one AMF master license is required even if two CFCs (Controller Fabric Cards - for
SBx8100 only) are installed. The license is for the chassis, not the CFC.
A VCStack needs to have consistent licensing on all stack members. Therefore, an AMF
master license would be required on both devices in an SBx908 stack.
When more than one AMF master node exists in an AMF network, it is important to know
that these operate completely independently of each other, and there is no
synchronization between AMF master nodes.
For redundancy, an AMF network can have multiple master nodes, each acting as a master
for the network. However, there is no synchronization of status or data files between the
masters. The behavior of a master node is not changed at all by the presence of other
master nodes.
Core distance This is the distance (hop count) between a particular domain and its Core domain. The
Core domain has a Core distance of 0, and the maximum recommended Core distance in
an AMF network is 8.