HP H3C IRF Setting - 3.

MAD overview

- December 28, 2018

Index
3.MAD overview
3-1. What is MAD (Multi-Active Detection)?
3-2. On the necessity of MAD
3-3. MAD (Multi-Active Detection)
- LACP MAD
- BFD MAD
- ARP MAD
3-4. Supplementary information when using MAD

3. MAD overview
3-1. What is MAD (Multi-Active Detection)?
To ensure fault tolerance when configuring the IRF stack, we recommend the configuration
of ring type or bus type + Link Aggregation.

In the case of a bus type configuration with one stack cable, a function called MAD is
prepared as a countermeasure against failure of the cable.

The following three types exist in MAD.

BFD MAD
If you can provide a port that directly connects IRF members.

LACP MAD
If the switches under the two IRF members are HPN A series switches that support LACP
MAD and can be connected with LACP.

ARP MAD
The switch under the two IRF members is the A series, but BFD MAD or LACP MAD can
not be used, or it is composed of E series or third-party switches and MSTP.

3-2. On the necessity of MAD

Since redundancy is secured for a failure of one stack cable in the ring type configuration,
the setting of MAD is basically unnecessary.
Two IRF logical ports are respectively set on two switches, IRF logic When connecting the
ports to each other, it is not a bus type but a ring type, so MAD is not mandatory.

In the case of bus type + Link Aggregation configuration MAD setting is valid.
Even in the case of a bus type configuration, if multiple physical interfaces can be allocated
to one IRF logical port, redundancy can be secured within the IRF logical port, so MAD is
not indispensable.
When using LACP MAD, LACP MAD must be supported on the far side Switch (not IRF
member) configuring LACP.
BFD MAD is not supported on A5120-EI / -SI, A5500-SI.
3-3. MAD(Multi-Active Detection)
BFD MAD
When a port that directly connects switches can be prepared.

(1) When normal, send BFDMAD Packet periodically.

(2) Failure occurs in Stack Link.
(3) All logical / physical ports on the switch side with large Member ID are shutdown. For
MAD Port, it is in the Link Down state.

LACP MAD
When the subordinate switch is connected by HPAC A series switch with LACP.

(1) Periodically send LACP MAD Packet when normal.

(2) Failure occurs in Stack Link.
(3) All logical / physical ports on the switch side with large Member ID are shutdown.

ARP MAD
If the switch underneath is the A series, but BFD MAD, LACP MAD can not be used, or
when it consists of E series or manufacture's switch with MSTP.
(1) Gratuitous ARP is sent periodically at normal times, but it is blocked halfway.
(2) Failure in Stack Link.
(3) Blocking is canceled and Gratuitous ARP reaches the other switch.
(4) All logical / physical ports on the switch side with a large member ID are shutdown.

3-4. Supplementary information when using MAD

If a failure occurs in the Switch with the smallest Member ID as shown below,
communication can not be performed because the port of the switch other than the switch
with the smallest Member ID is Shutdown . In that case, you can recover the port with the
mad restore command.