Nortel business policy switch 2000, User Manual

Page: 103 / 412

Chapter 2 Network configuration 103
Using the Business Policy Switch 2000 Version 2.0
Stack MAC address
When the switch is participating in a stack configuration, a stack MAC address is
automatically assigned during the stack initialization. The base unit’s MAC
address, with a software offset, is used for the stack MAC address.
For example, if the base unit’s MAC address is 00-00-82-99-44-00, and the stack
software offset is
1F,
then the stack MAC address becomes:
00-00-82-99-44-1F
If another unit in the stack is assigned as the base unit, the MAC address of the
new base unit (with offset) now applies to the stack configuration. The original
stack IP address still applies to the new base unit.
Temporary base unit
If an assigned base unit fails, the next unit in the stack order automatically
becomes the new
temporary base unit . This change is indicated by the base LED
on the temporary base unit’s LED display panel turning on (amber). For detailed
information about the base LED, see Chapter 1.
This automatic failover is a temporary safeguard only. If the stack configuration
loses power, the temporary base unit will not power up as the base unit when
power is restored. For this reason, you should always assign the temporary base
unit as the base unit (set the Unit Select switch to Base) until the failed unit is
repaired or replaced.
Note: If you do not reassign the temporary base unit as the new base
unit, and the temporary base unit fails, the next unit directly downstream
from this unit becomes the new temporary base unit. This process can
continue until there are only two units left in the stack configuration.