Standby Command Switches Window

This window appears when you choose Cluster > Standby Command Switches on the menu bar. You can also click here to launch it. Use it to:

Creating and Enabling a Cluster Redundancy Group

The Current Candidates list contains the names of cluster members that meet these qualifications:

If a Catalyst 3550 switch is the command switch, only Catalyst 3550 switches are command-capable. If a non-3550 switch is the command switch, only non-3550 switches are command-capable.

If cluster redundancy is not configured on the cluster, the Standby Comand Group list contains only the name of the command switch with the CC (cluster command) designation. If cluster redundancy is configured, this list contains the names of the active command (AC) switch, the standby command (SC) switch, and one or more passive standby (PC) switches. A passive standby switch replaces the switch listed above it if the current standby (SC) becomes the active command switch.

Switches listed in the Standby Command Group list make up the current cluster redundancy group. These switches share a virtual IP address that is assigned to the cluster.

Note: After a virtual IP address is assigned to the cluster redundancy group, always use the virtual IP address to access the command switch.

To create a group and enable it:

  1. Select a standby switch from the Current Candidates list and click Add.
    The standby switch moves to the Standby Command Group list with an SC designation, and the command switch receives its active command (AC) designation.
  2. The Group VLAN list shows all the VLANs to which the command switch belongs. Select a VLAN from the list that the standby switches also belong to.
  3. Enter an IP address in the Virtual IP Address field.
    The virtual IP address is assigned to the entire group; switches use this address if they are called on to be the command switch. The virtual IP address must be in the same subnet as the IP addresses of all switches on the Current Candidates list.
  4. Enter a group number in the Group Number field.
    Numbers from 0 through 255 are valid group numbers. If necessary, consult with your network administrator before assigning this number.
    Note: If you change your mind about any entry, click Cancel to close the window without saving your changes.
  5. In the Group Name field, enter a descriptive name for the standby command group.
  6. Click OK to put your changes in effect and to close the window.

Adding and Removing Switches in a Cluster Redundancy Group

You can add any switch in the Current Candidates list to the Standby Command Group list. You can remove any switch from the Standby Command Group list except the standby command (SC) or active command (AC) switch. Removing either of these switches removes the entire group.

To add a switch to the group:

  1. Select a switch from the Current Candidates list.
  2. Click Add.
    The switch is moved to the Standby Command Group list.
  3. Click OK to put your change in effect and to close the window.

To remove a switch from the group:

  1. Select a switch from the Standby Command Group list.
  2. Click Remove.
    The switch is moved to the Current Candidates list.
  3. Click OK to put your change in effect and to close the window.

Removing a Cluster Redundancy Group

To remove a group, click Remove Group. Then click OK to put your changes into effect and to close the window.