Configuring IRF bridge MAC persistence

	IMPORTANT: This feature does not take effect if the IRF bridge MAC address is configured by using the irf mac-address mac-address command. The IRF bridge MAC address change causes transient traffic disruption.

Depending on the network condition, enable the IRF fabric to retain or change its bridge MAC address after the address owner leaves. Available options include:

• irf mac-address persistent timer—Bridge MAC address of the IRF fabric remains unchanged for 6 minutes after the address owner leaves. If the owner does not return before the timer expires, the IRF fabric uses the bridge MAC address of the current master as its bridge MAC address. This option avoids unnecessary bridge MAC address changes caused by device reboot, transient link failure, or purposeful link disconnection.

• irf mac-address persistent always—Bridge MAC address of the IRF fabric does not change after the address owner leaves.

• undo irf mac-address persistent—Bridge MAC address of the current master replaces the original one as soon as the owner of the original bridge MAC leaves.

IRF fabrics cannot merge if they contain member devices that have the same bridge MAC address.

When you configure IRF bridge MAC persistence, follow these restrictions and guidelines:

• If ARP MAD or ND MAD is used with the spanning tree feature, disable IRF bridge MAC persistence by using the undo irf mac-address persistent command.

• Use the irf mac-address persistent always command in the following situations:

  • TRILL is configured. The persistence setting ensures that other devices in the TRILL network can maintain correct network topology after the address owner leaves.

  • The IRF fabric uses a daisy-chain topology, and it has aggregate links with upstream or downstream devices. The persistence setting prevents transmission delay or packet loss after the address owner leaves.

To configure the IRF bridge MAC persistence setting: