Benefits of VSF

Simplified topology and easy management

A VSF fabric appears and behaves as one node and is accessible by the network through a single IP address. This single IP address allows for any member device to manage the logical switch through a single management interface and not just an IP address.

	NOTE: Spanning tree features are not necessary among VSF members.

1:1 redundancy

One member acts as the Commander to manage and control the entire VSF fabric. Standby takes over if Commander fails. Up to two members process services while backing up the Commander.

VSF link aggregation

Up to wight VSF ports can be assigned between neighboring members ports. This creates a load-balanced aggregate VSF connection with redundancy.

Multichassis link aggregation

The Ethernet link aggregation feature can be used to aggregate physical links between the VSF and its upstream or downstream devices across the VSF members. This helps eliminate the need for spanning tree and also provides for load balancing across all links of the link aggregation and faster redundancy.

Network scalability and resiliency

Total processing capacity of the VSF is equal to the total processing capacity of all VSF members combined.