This document describes the NT-7000 N-Ring mode used for the Multi-Member and Multi-Manager configuration.
APPLICABLE PRODUCTS
N-Tron® NT7000 Series
PRE REQUISTIES: Understanding N-Ring Mode Setting
- Auto-Member: The ring automatically detects when it is part of an N-Ring for participation in the ring.
- Static Member: The ring will participate in an N-Ring as a member using the user-configured Ring Number/Ring VLAN ID
- Manager: The ring will operate as an N-Ring Manager.
- Backup Manager: The ring will communicate with other potential Backup Managers in the ring (if any) to determine the selected Backup Manager that is to be promoted to Manager if the original N-Ring Manager becomes unresponsive. If multiple Backup Managers exist in the ring, the one with the lowest MAC Address is selected. Having a mode of Backup Manager, this ring will operate as an Auto Member but, if it is the selected Backup Manager, it will promote itself to become the Manager of the ring if needed.
N-Ring Single Switch Multi Manger
A multi-member configured device behaves similarly to an Auto Member except that it is always in an active member state, no transition into or out of. Furthermore, a multi-member can participate in multiple N-Rings. It can work alongside Auto Member devices, and it can work with N-Rings managed by standard Managers or Multi-Managers.
Click here to review the NT24k N-Ring Multi-Member configuration.
Figure 1 Network Topology
Configuring N-Ring Single Multi Manager
Step 1 Interconnect two ring networks using the figure 1 network topology example above. Note: Make sure to connect to the switch members associated with their ring group. This is a verify important step in the N-Ring configuration. and will come into play in the configuration of N-Ring multi member.
Step 2 Log in to the switch web GUI. Browse to Redundancy> Ring. to configure the ring instance.
Step 4 Select the Enabled toggle switch to enable the N-Ring protocol.
Step 5 Enter in a name for Ring1 or keep the default settings.
Step 6 Select the Mode drop box and choose Manager.
Step 7 Click on the Number drop box and select ring number for the ring Name.
Step 8 Select the ports that will be used for ring number.
Step 9. Click on the icon in top right-hand corner to repeat steps 1 - 6 for configuring the second ring.
Step 10. Click on the to save N-Ring configure.
Step 11 After N-Ring settings have been saved click on the icon to save switch configuration settings to enabled N-Ring multi member. If the switch ring configuration is wired correctly the power LED should tun soldi green. If the power LED is blinking red, then N-Ring wiring is incorrect. Click here to review a instructions for wiring N-Ring correctly.
Before enabling multi-manager in production, verify each individual N-Ring is fully operational and stable. Troubleshooting is significantly easier when ring-level issues are resolved prior to multi-manager deployment.
Below is an image of N-Ring single manager Config page with N-Ring enabled.
Step 12 After the switch configuration has been saved. Log in to the switch designated N-Ring manager to verify the configuration. Browse to Redundancy> N-Ring> Summary to review the ring status of the manager.
N-Ring Status of the Ring 1
N-Ring Status of Ring 2
N-Ring Multi-Manager/Backup Manager
The basic support of N-Ring Multi-Manager protocol is to manage multiple N-Rings as one configuration point. The backup manager must behave like N-Ring single multi-member until the time comes for it to take over as the active Manager. Figure 2 network Topology image below depicts the wiring configuration:
Figure 2 N-Ring Network Topology
The Paired Backup Manager support will use two adjacent N-Ring Multi-Manager devices to join a single segment used by multiple rings. Each manager will act as a backup for the other. If the primary manager goes offline, the standby manager will take over so members will remain in an active member state. When the primary manager comes back online, it will take the role of the standby manager to avoid an unnecessary topology change.
Important: It is necessary to make the paired managers act like a single manager. The wiring configuration steps will be similar to N-Ring single manager configuration however a second manager will switch will be added to the network.
It is desirable for the shared link to be a trunk of multiple ports. This would alleviate a bandwidth issue and prevent a single point of failure on the Shared segment. A backup single shared link would help avoid the single point of failure. The N-Ring backup manager will only be enabled if both links on the primary manager fail.
N-Ring Multi Manager Config page
N-Ring Backup Manager Config page
N-Ring Manager Summary page
N-Ring Backup Manager Summary page
N-Ring Ring 1 Manager Status Page
N-Ring 2 Manager Backup Manager Status page
Proposed Multiple Grouped Rings
Figure 3 topology below show the joining of two or more N-Rings. It would provide an alternative to N-Link support. The same rules apply for configuring a single multi manager network. The only difference will be the multi manager ring port set configure based on the network topology.
Figure 3 N-Ring Network Topology
Disclaimer
It is the customer's responsibility to review the advice provided herein and its applicability to the system. HMS makes no representation about specific knowledge of the customer's system or the specific performance of the system. HMS is not responsible for any damage to equipment or connected systems. The use of this document is at your own risk. HMS standard product warranty applies.
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