Administrator Guide
20
Uplink Failure Detection (UFD)
Supported Modes
Standalone, PMUX, VLT, Stacking
Feature Description
UFD provides detection of the loss of upstream connectivity and, if used with network interface controller (NIC) teaming, automatic
recovery from a failed link.
A switch provides upstream connectivity for devices, such as servers. If a switch loses its upstream connectivity, downstream
devices also lose their connectivity. However, the devices do not receive a direct indication that upstream connectivity is lost
because connectivity to the switch is still operational
UFD allows a switch to associate downstream interfaces with upstream interfaces. When upstream connectivity fails, the switch
disables the downstream links. Failures on the downstream links allow downstream devices to recognize the loss of upstream
connectivity.
For example, as shown in the following illustration, Switches S1 and S2 both have upstream connectivity to Router R1 and
downstream connectivity to the server. UFD operation is shown in Steps A through C:
• In Step A, the server conguration uses the connection to S1 as the primary path. Network trac ows from the server to S1
and then upstream to R1.
• In Step B, the upstream link between S1 and R1 fails. The server continues to use the link to S1 for its network trac, but the
trac is not successfully switched through S1 because the upstream link is down.
• In Step C, UFD on S1 disables the link to the server. The server then stops using the link to S1 and switches to using its link to S2
to send trac upstream to R1.
NOTE: In Standalone and VLT modes, the UFD group number is 1 by default and cannot be changed.
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Uplink Failure Detection (UFD)