Intelligent Resilient Framework

Intelligent Resilient Framework (IRF) is a proprietary software virtualization technology developed by H3C (3Com). Its core idea is to connect multiple network devices through physical IRF ports and perform necessary configurations, and then these devices are virtualized into a distributed device. This virtualization technology realizes the cooperation, unified management, and non-stop maintenance of multiple devices.^[1] This technology follows some of the same general concepts as Cisco's VSS and vPC technologies.

History

This technology was originally developed by 3Com and released in 2003 as XRN (eXpandable Resilient Networking). When HP purchased 3Com in April 2010, HP renamed the technology to IRF.^[2]

General overview

Simplified topology and streamlined management. An IRF virtual device appears as a node on the network. You can log in to it by connecting to any port of any member to manage all members of the IRF virtual device.

• Simple network operation. Various control protocols running on different member devices as if they are running on one device. For example, routing protocols calculate the routes of the IRF virtual device instead of calculating the routes of each member. This avoids a great number of protocol packet exchanges among the members, simplifies network operation, and shortens the convergence time during network flapping. In addition, this advantage of the IRF technology is not delivered by the common cluster technology, which only realizes the unified management of devices, and the devices in a cluster operate as independent nodes.
• Low cost. The IRF technology creates an IRF virtual device from multiple low-end devices, and thus the IRF virtual device has a higher port density and bandwidth and costs lower than using high-end devices.
• Powerful network expansion capability. By adding member devices, the number of IRF ports, network bandwidth, and processing capability of the IRF virtual device can be easily expanded.
• Protecting investment. Users only need to add new devices rather than replacing the original ones when upgrading a network because of the powerful network expansion capability of the IRF virtual device.
• High reliability. IRF provides both link and node redundancy. An IRF virtual device comprises multiple member devices that operate in 1:N redundancy: the master runs, manages and maintains the IRF virtual device, whereas the slaves process services as well as functioning as the backups. As soon as the master fails, the IRF virtual device immediately elects a new master to prevent service interruption. In addition, you can aggregate both IRF links of members and the links between the IRF virtual device and its upper or lower layer devices.
• High resiliency. You can increase the bandwidth and processing capability of an IRF virtual device simply by adding member devices. Each member device has its own CPU and they independently process and forward protocol packets.
• Diversified functions. IRF provides all features supported by a switch, such as IPv4, IPv6, MPLS, security features, OAA cards, high availability, which can run effectively and stably on the IRF virtual device, and thus expands the application of IRF virtual devices.
• Comprehensive product support. An IRF virtual device can be created from box-type devices or chassis-type distributed devices.^[3]
• Only devices of the same series can form an IRF.

Companies currently using this technology

The only companies that use this technology are Hewlett-Packard (HP) and H3C (also HP, formerly 3Com^[4]).

Devices which support IRF

• HP HSR6800 Router Series
• HP A12500 Switch Series
• HP A11900 Switch Series
• HP A10500 Switch Series
• HP A9500 Switch Series
• HP A7500 Switch Series
• HP 5700 Switch Series
• HP 5920 Switch Series^[5]
• HP 5900 Switch Series^[6]
• HP 5830 Switch Series^[7]
• HP 3600 Switch Series
• HP A5820 Switch Series
• HP A5800 Switch Series
• HP A5500HI Switch Series
• HP A5500EI Switch Series
• HP A5500SI Switch Series
• HP A5130EI Switch Series
• HP A5120EI Switch Series
• HP A5120SI Switch Series^[8]
• HP E4800G Switch Series
• HP E4210G Switch Series^[9]
• HP Moonshot-45XGc Switch

^[10][11]

See also

• IEEE 802.1aq (Shortest Path Bridging)
• Link aggregation

References

1. H3C - Products & Solutions - IRF2.0 Technology White Paper
2. David Newman. "XRN Interconnect architecture". Retrieved 26 June 2014.
3. Broadhead, Steve. "Buyer's Guide: HP's Intelligent Resilient Framework (IRF) put to the test". Retrieved 2 June 2013.
4. http://www8.hp.com/us/en/hp-news/press-release.html?id=342187#.VcI8lLOqpBc
5. HP 5920 Switch Series, HP
6. HP 5900 Switch Series, HP
7. HP 5830 Switch Series, HP
8. A5120SI requires a software upgrade for IRF over Gig ports.
9. Search HP US - Search results for 'irf'
10. http://h10144.www1.hp.com/docs/irf/irf.pdf
11. only on models with fixed or optional 10G ports(except the A5120SI)

External links

• Very large L2 networks for cloud and virtualization
• How does FlexFabric fit in HP's data center networking vision?