The question asks which tables are synchronized between a pair of CX 8325 switches in a Virtual Switching Extension (VSX) cluster. VSX is a high-availability solution that synchronizes specific tables to ensure consistent operation across both switches.
Analysis of Options:
A. BGP Neighbors:BGP neighbor tables are not synchronized in VSX; each switch maintains its own BGP sessions.
B. MAC address:Correct. VSX synchronizes the MAC address table to ensure consistent Layer 2 forwarding across both switches.
C. Spanning-Tree Protocol (STP):STP states are not synchronized; each switch runs its own STP instance, though they coordinate to avoid loops.
D. IP Routing:Correct. VSX synchronizes the IP routing table to ensure consistent Layer 3 forwarding.
E. Link Layer Discovery Protocol (LLDP):LLDP information is not synchronized; each switch maintains its own neighbor information.
Why B and D are Correct:In a VSX cluster, the MAC address table and IP routing table are synchronized to ensure seamless Layer 2 and Layer 3 operations. This synchronization allowsboth switches to share a common view of the network, enabling features like active-active forwarding and hitless failover. The vsx-sync feature in AOS-CX ensures these tables are kept consistent across the VSX pair.
Relevance to Certification Objectives:
Network Resiliency and Virtualization (8%):Involves designing and troubleshooting VSX for resiliency and redundancy.
Switching (19%):Includes implementing and troubleshooting Layer 2 technologies like MAC address tables.
Routing (16%):Covers IP routing table synchronization in VSX environments.
[References:, HPE Aruba Networking AOS-CX Configuration Guide: VSX Configuration, detailing table synchronization., HPE7-A06Study Guide: Covers VSX architecture and synchronization mechanisms., HPE Aruba Networking Technical Documentation: VSX Overview, explaining MAC and routing table synchronization., , VSX (Virtual Switching Extension) synchronizes state information between the two switches in a cluster to enable active-active forwarding and provide a single logical view to downstream devices., , Analysis of Options:, , A. BGP Neighbors: BGP sessions are typically established independently by each VSX member. While configurations can be synced, the dynamic state/neighbor table itself is not a core VSX synchronization item., B. MAC address: The MAC address table is synchronized between VSX members. This is crucial for Layer 2 forwarding consistency and allowing either switch to forward traffic destined for a known MAC address learned via the VSX pair. , C. Spanning-Tree Protocol (STP): STP runs independently on each physical switch. VSX uses technologies like MC-LAG to provide loop-free active-active paths downstream, reducing reliance on STP blocking, but the STP state itself isn't synchronized via the ISL. , D. IP Routing: While the full IP routing table (RIB) is built independently on each switch via routing protocols, VSX Active Gateway synchronizes necessary Layer 3 information (like virtual gateway IP and MAC, and potentially ARP entries) to ensure consistent first-hop routing and failover. Some sources might broadly categorize ARP synchronization under L3/IP routing context in VSX. Given that the ARP table (essential for L3 forwarding consistency) is synchronized, and it's not listed separately, "IP Routing" might encompass this synchronization aspect. , E. Link Layer Discovery Protocol (LLDP): LLDP information relates to physically connected neighbors of each switch and is not synchronized across the VSX ISL. , Conclusion: The MAC address table (B) is definitively synchronized. The ARP table is also synchronized, which is fundamental for Layer 3 forwarding consistency provided by Active Gateway. As ARP is not explicitly listed, and "IP Routing" (D) is, D is the most likely second answer intended to cover the necessary L3 state synchronization (primarily ARP and Active Gateway state) performed by VSX., , References: AOS-CX VSX Guide (specifically sections on State Synchronization, ISL, Active Gateway), VSX Fundamentals documentation. This relates to "Network Resiliency and virtualization" (8%) and "Switching" (19%) objectives., , ]
Submit