Specifications

ExtremeWare XOS 10.1 Concepts Guide 165
11 Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol
This chapter covers the following topics:
• Overview on page 165
• Determining the VRRP Master on page 166
• Additional VRRP Highlights on page 168
• VRRP Operation on page 169
• VRRP Configuration Parameters on page 171
• VRRP Examples on page 172
This chapter assumes that you are already familiar with the Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol
(VRRP). If not, refer to the following publications for additional information:
• RFC 2338—Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol (VRRP)
• RFC 2787—Definitions of Managed Objects for the Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol
• Draft IETF VRRP Specification v2.06
Overview
Like ESRP, VRRP is a protocol that allows multiple switches to provide redundant routing services to
users. VRRP is used to eliminate the single point of failure associated with manually configuring a
default gateway address on each host in a network. Without using VRRP, if the configured default
gateway fails, you must reconfigure each host on the network to use a different router as the default
gateway. VRRP provides a redundant path for the hosts. If the default gateway fails, the backup router
assumes forwarding responsibilities.
NOTE
IGMP snooping must be enabled for VRRP to operate correctly.