The Virtual Switching Framework (VSF) is a technology that allows two or more Aruba switches to operate as a single logical device, providing high availability, simplified management, and increased performance. VSF is supported on Aruba 5400R zl2 switches, which are modular switches that can accommodate different types of line cards and power supplies1.
The VSF fabric requires two types of connections between the member switches: VSF links and VSF ports. VSF links are the physical connections that carry the VSF control and data traffic, while VSF ports are the logical interfaces that bundle the VSF links into a single logical link. VSF links can be either 10 GbE or 40 GbE, and VSF ports can be either 10 GbE or 40 GbE1.
To create a VSF fabric with two 5406R zl2 switches, the architect needs to ensure that the switches have the compatible modules, transceivers, and cables for the VSF links and ports. According to the ArubaOS-Switch Management and Configuration Guide1, the following requirements apply for the VSF fabric:
The switches must have the same chassis model, the same number and type of modules, and the same firmware version.
The switches must have at least one v3 module in slot A or B. The v3 modules are the ones with the letter “M” in the part number, such as J9990A, J9991A, and J9992A. The v2 modules are the ones with the letter “A” in the part number, such as J9534A, J9535A, and J9536A.
The switches must have the same type of transceivers and cables for the VSF links. The supported transceivers are the Aruba 10G SFP+ LC SR, the Aruba 10G SFP+ LC LR, the Aruba 40G QSFP+ LC SR4, and the Aruba 40G QSFP+ MPO SR4. The supported cables are the Aruba 10G SFP+ to SFP+ 1m DAC Cable, the Aruba 10G SFP+ to SFP+ 3m DAC Cable, the Aruba 40G QSFP+ to QSFP+ 1m DAC Cable, and the Aruba 40G QSFP+ to QSFP+ 3m DAC Cable.
Based on the exhibit, the architect has planned to use the Aruba 40G QSFP+ to QSFP+ 1m DAC Cable (JH234A) for the VSF links, which is a supported option. However, the architect has also selected the Aruba 24p 10GBASE-T v2 zl Module (J9536A) and the Aruba 20p 10GbE SFP+ v2 zl Module (J9535A) for the switches, which are not compatible with the VSF fabric. The architect should change these v2 modules to v3 modules, such as the Aruba 24p 10GBASE-T v3 zl2 Module (J9996A) and the Aruba 20p 10GbE SFP+ v3 zl2 Module (J9990A), to meet the VSF requirements.
The other options are not issues with the plan. Adding two QSPF+ MP0 SR4 transceivers (A) is not necessary, as the DAC cable already provides the 40 GbE connection for the VSF links. Adding stacking modules and cables © is not required, as the VSF fabric does not use the traditional stacking technology. Changing the power supply type (D) is not relevant, as the VSF fabric does not impose any restrictions on the power supply type.
References: 1: ArubaOS-Switch Management and Configuration Guide - Aruba, Chapter 12: Virtual Switching Framework, pages 219-227.
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