Specifications

AMF Introduction and Configuration
114 New and Enhanced Features in AlliedWare Plus 5.4.4 Major and Minor Versions
Node Interconnection
Nodes can connect either horizontally using crosslinks, or vertically using Uplinks/
Downlinks. This is shown in the illustration below:
Figure 1: AMF Uplinks, Downlinks, and Crosslinks
AMF links, of either type, are used to pass AMF management traffic between nodes;
however, they can also carry other network traffic. Configuring an interface as an AMF-link
will automatically put the port into trunk mode. An AMF link can be either a single link or a
static aggregator. For more information on trunk mode see “Configuring VLANs” in the
“VLAN Introduction” chapter in your switch’s Software Reference.
Crosslinks AMF crosslinks are used to connect AMF nodes to other AMF nodes within what is termed
an AMF Domain. Configuring an interface as an AMF-crosslink will automatically put its
port into trunk mode. A crosslink can be either a single link or a static aggregator.
AMF master nodes must be connected using AMF crosslinks to ensure they are part of the
uppermost domain level.
Up/Down Links Uplinks/Downlinks interconnect domains in what is a vertical hierarchy. The highest
domain is the core domain.
AMF Domains
Every AMF node belongs to an AMF domain. Domains can comprise of a single node or
multiple nodes. AMF master nodes are included in highest domain level, sometimes called
the core domain, and all other domains are rooted in this domain.
As previously mentioned, AMF domains are determined by AMF crosslinks, (see
“Working-Set” on page 116). All nodes connected via AMF crosslinks form part of the
same domain, and nodes connected via regular AMF links will be part of either higher of
lower level domains.
Nodes within a domain must be connected in either a chain or ring topology. This means
that a maximum of two crosslinks should be configured on any single node. The
advantage of an AMF domain is that two links from a domain to a single higher level
domain will provide redundant AMF links. We recommend that an AMF domain should
only be connected to a single higher level domain, though it may be connected to
multiple lower level domains. We also recommend that you set a maximum number of 12
nodes per domain.
AMF link (Downlink)
AMF
Member node
AMF crosslink
AMF link (Uplink)
Core Domain