Build Stacks
on page 33
A stack consists of a group of up to eight switches that are connected to form a ring. The stack offers
the combined port capacity of the individual switches, it operates as if it were a single switch, making
network administration easier.
Stacking is facilitated by the SummitStack feature – part of the Switch Engine and ExtremeXOS Edge
license.
This chapter describes the supported configurations for stacking switches, the considerations for
planning a stack, and the steps for setting up the hardware. Read this chapter before installing the
switches that will make up the stack.
Refer to the Stacking chapter in the
for information about configuring a
stack, maintaining the stack configuration, and troubleshooting.
Introduction to Stacking
When stacking switches, the stack operates as if it were a single switch with a single IP address and a
single point of authentication. One switch – called the primary switch – is responsible for running
network protocols and managing the stack. The primary runs Switch Engine software and maintains all
the software tables for all the switches in the stack.
All switches in the stack, including the primary switch, are called nodes.
shows four nodes in a
stack, connected to each other by SummitStack cables.
All connections between stack ports must be directly between switches. A stacking connection cannot
pass through a third device, for example a Virtual Port Extender or an LRM/MACsec Adapter.
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