Use of vrf in access switch

[Manoj Naik]

Hi ,

I have noticed that catalyst access switches are supporting the vrf technologies. My doubt is , what is the use of vrf in the access switches ? how can we use that ?

[Mark Malone]

Hi

depends on the platform and software , some only use vrf for mgmt. traffic to isolate it

some are l3 capable and can use features like vrf lite

[Manoj Naik]

Hi ,

How it will manage the traffic in access switch. Actually VRF is divides the device logically ( as per my knowledge ). In access switch how it works exactly ? Is it really helpful in access switch ?

[Mark Malone]

Its specifically for mgmt. traffic only through the physical isolated MGMT port on the hardware , its very helpful to build a pure oob network that's isolated from production , if the switch goes into a spin in production say due to an stp loop , you will still be able to access the switch through the dedicated vrf mgmt. port , you build a parallel mgmt. network through it with other switches mgmt. ports to a centrally managed oob switch that's connected to a fw to process the mgmt. traffic, that's one way of doing it all isolated through the MGMT vrf

[Julio E. Moisa]

Hi

If the switch has L3 capability it can work as a CE router or also it can be used to isolate traffic from different networks. Remember VRF is not just used for MPLS it can be used internally to separate network flows. 

I have used that scheme internally. 

:-)