(Optional) Configuring Network Topology Collection

The network topology collection function is provided by the Commander using the Neighbor Discovery Protocol (NDP) and Network Topology Discovery Protocol (NTDP). When this function is enabled on the Commander to deploy unconfigured devices, users do not need to manually collect such information as device's MAC address or ESN. After unconfigured devices are powered on and started, the Commander automatically collects device information and assigns client IDs to devices to bind device information with devices. That is, the Commander can collect network topology information and specify information of files to be downloaded based on the collected network topology information.

Procedure

1. Enable NDP.

   1. Run the system-view command to enter the system view.

   2. Run the ndp enable command to enable NDP globally.

      By default, NDP is disabled globally.

   3. (Optional) Run the ndp enable interface { interface-type interface-number [ to interface-type interface-number ] }&<1-10> command to enable NDP on interfaces.

      By default, NDP is enabled on an interface.

   4. (Optional) Run the ndp timer aging aging-time command to configure an aging time for NDP packets.

      By default, the aging time of the NDP packets on the receiving switch is 180 seconds. The aging time of the NDP packets must be larger than the interval for sending NDP packets.

   5. (Optional) Run the ndp timer hello interval command to set the interval for sending NDP packets.

      By default, the interval for sending NDP packets is 60 seconds. The interval for sending NDP packets must be smaller than the aging time of the NDP packets.

2. Enable NTDP.

   1. Run the ntdp enable command to enable NTDP globally.

      By default, NTDP is disabled globally.

   2. (Optional) Enable NTDP on an interface.

      1. Run the interface range { interface-type interface-number1 [ to interface-type interface-number2 ] } &<1-10> command to enter the interface group view.

      2. Run the ntdp enable command to enable NTDP on an interface.

         By default, NTDP is enabled on an interface.

      3. Run the quit command to return to the system view.

   3. (Optional) Run the ntdp hop max-hop-value command to set the maximum number of hops for collecting topology information through NTDP.

      By default, the maximum number of hops for collecting topology information through NTDP is 8. When the maximum number of hops is set to a large value, large memory space is occupied on the topology collection device.

   4. (Optional) Run the ntdp timer hop-delay hop-delay-time command to set the delay for the first interface to forward NTDP topology request packets.

      By default, the delay for the first interface to forward NTDP topology request packets is 200 milliseconds.

   5. (Optional) Run the ntdp timer port-delay port-delay-time command to set the delay for the other interfaces to forward NTDP topology request packets.

      By default, the delays for the first and other interfaces to forward NTDP topology request packets are 200 and 20 milliseconds respectively.

   6. Run the ntdp timer interval command to set the interval for collecting topology information.

      By default, the interval for collecting topology information through NTDP is 0, which indicates that topology information is not periodically collected.

      NOTE:

      The Commander collects network topology information at an interval of 5 minutes; therefore, you are advised to set the interval for collecting topology information through NTDP to less than 5 minutes.

   7. (Optional) Run the ntdp explore command in the user view to collect topology information manually.

      You can run this command to collect network topology information at any time.

3. Configure a cluster management VLAN.

   1. Run the system-view command to enter the system view.

   2. Run the cluster enable command to enable the cluster function.

      By default, the cluster function is disabled.

   3. Run the cluster command to enter the cluster view.

   4. Run the mngvlanid vlanid command to configure a cluster management VLAN.

      By default, the cluster management VLAN is VLAN 1. However, VLAN 1 is not recommended as the cluster management VLAN. You are advised to run a command to change the cluster management VLAN to another VLAN.

      NOTE:

      The cluster management VLAN must be the same as the VLAN to which the Commander's interfaces connected to clients.

4. Configure Commander topology collection.

   1. Run the system-view command to enter the system view.

   2. Run the easy-operation command to enter the Easy-Operation view.

   3. Run the topology enable command to enable the Commander to collect network topology information.

      By default, the Commander cannot collect network topology information.

   4. (Optional) Run the topology save command to save the currently collected network topology information.

   5. (Optional) Run the client auto-join enable command to enable clients to automatically join the management domain of the Commander.

      By default, clients do not join the management domain of the Commander automatically.

      After a client automatically joins the management domain of the Commander, the Commander automatically learns client information and assigns the minimum ID not in use to the client. If the auto-join function is not enabled, the Commander does not assign IDs to clients, and you must run the client [ client-id ] { mac-address mac-address | esn esn } command to assign IDs to clients.