Multiple HP Core Switches

[colly72]

Hi all,

 

I've got 2 HP 5500 HI switches that I want to be core switches. Ideally, I'd set them up in an IRF stack but as we don't have a 10GB link between them, thats currently not possible. Is there another way that I can still have them both as core switches and if so, how's the best way of setting that up? Or, should I just have one core switch and have the other sat on a shelf as a spare?

[Julian]

You could trunk them together using 4 * 1Gb (or more) links to get a 4GB link, not as good as 10GB link, but you do not have to buy anything.

[graeme81]

Hi colly,

 

You can use VRRP to offer resiliency and failover across the two core switches. In effect this gives you a logical IP address that "floats" between both switches offering clients redundant gateways.

 

How far apart will the two 5500s be located? If they could be close together there are relatively cheap local connect modules you could buy to enable IRF.

 

5500-HI is a great (and costly) switch so be a shame not to utilise both.

 

Cheers,

 

Graeme

[twin--turbo]

I have IRF across our two 5700, very simple compared to anything else.

[njc235]

You can connect them with DAC cables if they're <=7m apart. IRF does require 10G which can be fibre or DAC.