IRF vs VRRP+MSTP

[mhawas]

Hi , I know that IRF is a great thing to implement, but I wonder if is it trustworthy to implement it rather than VRRP + MSTP combination (with load balancing in mind!), in the distribution layer ? Sure you can configure IRF in ring topology or implement techniques to detect split brain case, but is it then the de facto to replace VRRP +MSTP ? if yes, do we still have to configure MSTP (according to HP documentation the answer is NO but I think a loop can still occur due to wiring error in any of access switches) ? Kind regards

[Vince-Whirlwind]

IRF is better, because you can use all links for passing traffic instead of having STP blocking the redundant links.

Personally, I always try to design a topology that isn't going to need STP, and I always enable STP as well.

[RyanBiddle]

IRF works great, but buyer beware: if you have an IRF stack with more than 2 switches you will take downtime when updating the stack's software. (2 switches work fine)
<learned the hard way>. other than that listen to Vince.

[Apachez-]

Isnt that what ISSU is supposed to handle (by automagic)?