Managing Stacking
All stack members are accessed through a single IP address through which the stack is managed. Stacks are managed using
:
•
Web-based
Interface
•
SNMP Management Station
The system supports up to six stacking members per stack to a maximum of 192 ports
,
or devices can operate as stand-alone systems.
During the Stacking setup, one device is selected as the Stacking Master. All other devices are named as stack members, and assigned a unique
Unit ID. The Stack Master provides a Single point of control and management as well as a single interface in which to control and manage the
stack. The device software is downloaded separately for each of the stack members. All units in the stack must be running the same software
version. The Stacking Master maintains switch stacking and configuration. The Stacking Master detects and reconfigures the ports with minimal
operational impact in the event of:
•
Unit
Failure
•
Inter-unit Stacking Link Failure
•
Unit
Insertion
•
Removal of a Stacking Unit
Operation Modes
A stack can operate in one of the following modes:
•
Stand-alone Mode
— Indicates the device is operating as a single unit and is not connected in a stack.
•
Stacking Master
— Manages the stacking configuration for all stack members.
•
Secondary Master
— Operates as a backup to the Stacking Master. If the Stacking Master is no longer operating, the Secondary Master
takes over the stack management.
•
Stacking Member
—Indicates a device within the stacking topology. The stacking member receives its device configuration from the
Stacking Master.
This section provides an introduction to the user interface and includes the following topics:
•
Understanding Stack Topology
•
Stacking Ring Topology
•
Stacking
Ports
•
Stacking Members and Unit ID
•
Removing and Replacing Stacking Members
•
Inserting a Stacking Member
•
Exchanging Stacking Members
•
Switching the Stacking Master
•
Configuring
Stacking
Understanding Stack Topology
Stacked devices operate in a Ring or chain topology. The Ring topology connects all stacked devices in a circle. Each stacked device accepts data
and sends it to the device to which it is physically connected. The packet continues through the stack until it reaches the destination port. The
system automatically discovers the optimal path by which to send traffic. A chain topology connects stacking members from one to the next. This
provides a single data path flow. The stacking members linked in the middle of the chain are connection to the stacking member on either side of
them. The members on the ends of the chain only have one connection.
Stacking Ring Topology
One of the benefits of the Ring topology is that it offers redundancy in case the connections between two units fail, including the case where a unit
in the stack fails. If a failure occurs in the stacking topology, the stack reverts to Chain Stacking Topology. In the Chain topology, devices operate in
a chain formation. The system automatically switches to a Stacking Failover topology without any system downtime. An SNMP message is
automatically generated, but no stack management action is required. However, the stacking link or stacking member must be repaired to return to
the Ring topology.
After the stacking issues are resolved, the device can be reconnected to the stack without interruption and the Ring topology is restored.
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