Dell PowerConnect 7024 Getting Started Guide - Page 20

3 Repeat this process until all of the devices are connected. 4 Use the remaining stacking cable to connect the remaining free ports, one each on the top and bottom switches. Figure 1-12. Connecting a Stack of Switches XG1 Port XG2 Port Unit 1 Unit 2 Unit 3 The stack in Figure 1-12 is connected in a ring topology and has the following physical connections between the switches: • The XG1 port on Unit 1 is connected to the XG2 port on Unit 2. • The XG1 port on Unit 2 is connected to the XG4 port on Unit 3. • The XG3 port on Unit 3 is connected to the XG2 port on Unit 1. Stacking Standby The stacking feature supports a Standby or backup unit that assumes the Master unit role if the Master unit in the stack fails. As soon as a Master failure is detected in the stack, the Standby unit initializes the control plane and enables all other stack units with the current configuration. The Standby unit maintains a synchronized copy of the running configuration for the stack. During switchover, all the ports are brought down and brought up to avoid possible loops and to get new master software applications to a consistent state. The Standby unit is pre-configured in the stack; however, you can use the CLI to select a different stack member as Standby. See the User's Configuration Guide or the CLI Reference Guide for more information. 18 Getting Started Guide