Madge Networks CrossFire 8300, Manual To Operation

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CrossFire 8300/8301 Stacker Guide to Operation, DOC-7092 v. 1.0 2. Switch Stacker Operation
2. Switch Stacker Operation
This chapter explains how the switch stacker equipment improves network
performance.
Switch Stacker: A Unique Concept
Any of the CrossFire 8600 Series Switches as well as the CrossFire 8730 Switches
can be stacked together. The switches in the stack combine to form a single unit.
You can stack two to eight switches and manage them as a single entity. All of the
switches in the stack must, however, run the same switch software version.
There are two ways of configuring the switch—as a single stand-alone unit or as a
logical combination of up to eight units. This logical combination of units is called
a
switch stack .
A switch stack can be created in three different ways. The simplest configuration is
a back-to-back stack, in which two switches are connected directly using the
CrossFire 8630 Stacker Link Module and a stacker link cable.
You can also connect up to five switches by using the CrossFire 8635 Internal
Stacker Module. You install this module in one of the switches in the stack, and
then you connect the other switches to it using the CrossFire 8630 Stacker Link
Module and cables.
A stack can also consist of up to eight switches, connected by the CrossFire 8300
Switch Stacker. In this case, you connect each switch in the stack to the switch
stacker using CrossFire 8630 Stacker Link Modules and cables.
When a switch is turned on, it runs a set of self-test diagnostics. After the
diagnostics, the switch runs a
stack discovery mode . The discovery mode is used to
sense if the switch is cabled to other switches or to the CrossFire 8300 Switch
Stacker. If the switch discovers other switches, a stack is formed automatically. If
no other switches are detected during the stack discovery mode, the switch starts
operating as a stand-alone unit.
You will not need any special tools, extra software, or expensive equipment to form
a stack of switches. See
Chapter 4, “Installation” for details on how to connect
the stack equipment.