all modules can be “hot swapped”; that is, they can be removed or installed while the switch is powered on. however, note the following differences between module types with respect to redundancy:

    1 when the primary switch fabric module fails, the redundant switch fabric module takes over (in less than five seconds) and continues to function as the primary module even after the failed module is replaced.

    2 when hot swapping interface and switch fabric modules, use the cli redundancy switchover fabric-module lock command to prevent a redundant switch fabric module from taking over as the primary switch fabric module. once the hot swap is completed, re-enable fabric protection switching by using the redundancy switchover fabric-module clear command

    3 when the primary management module fails, the redundant management module takes over immediately as the new primary management module. however, this new primary management module will reboot the other modules resulting in a loss of traffic until all modules are back on line. when the failed management module is replaced, the replacement management module serves as the redundant management module.

    4 interface modules do not have redundant protection. if an interface module fails, traffic on the module will stop until you can replace the module.

    fail over protection

    if the primary management module fails, the redundant management module will reboot the switch fabric module and interface modules. during this time, service is affected.

    to perform a controlled shutdown on a management or fabric module and cause the redundant module to take over, enter the following command:

    switch 8100fl(config)#halt [slot]

    you can also perform a controlled shutdown on a module, by entering the following command:

    switch 8100fl(config)#power down [slot]

    to display a list of the slot numbers of all installed modules, type ? after the command; for example, halt ? or power down ?.

    configuration changes

    in normal operation, whenever changes are made to the primary management module’s configuration file, the changes are copied to the redundant management module’s configuration file. in this way, if the primary management module fails, the redundant module has all the configuration information necessary to take over as the primary.