Cisco SFE2000 Administration Guide - Page 18

Chapter Linksys One Ready Communications Solution Stacking Multiple Switches Stacking Highlights 3 The Stacking configuration provides multiple switch management through a single point as if all stack master and stack members were a single Ethernet switch. All stack masters are accessed through a single IP address through which the stack is managed. The stack can be managed from the web-based interface or the console interface. • In stacking mode, each Ethernet switch is given a unique ID, from 1 to 8. • Stack IDs 1 and 2 are Master-Enabled units. You can build stacks by building a new stack from a group of switches, or adding new units to an existing stack. Stacks can be automatically or manually configured. • All Ethernet switches in the stack must run the same version of software. NOTE: Two ports of each unit in a stack mode (ports 12 and 24 on GE units, and ports G1 and G2 on FE units) are reserved for stacking links, and cannot be used for regular network connections. • The Stack Master switch maintains the configuration. • Stack cannot combine Linksys SFE2000 and SGE2000 family Ethernet switches. Switch software is downloaded separately for each stack member. However, all units in the stack must be running the same software version. • By factory default, Ethernet switches boot in stacking mode. A stack unit can operate in one of the following modes: • Stand-alone - A switch operating in standalone mode runs as an independent, single unit. All ports of a standalone switch operate as normal Ethernet links. A standalone switch does not participate in a stack even if physically connected to a stack. • Stack - Indicates the device operates as a Stacked unit after the system is reset. A switch operating in stack mode is not an independent unit, but a member of an organized group of switches known as a stack. A stack consists of one Stack Master control switch, one Master Backup switch and up to six Stack Member switches. In some cases, a unit that is not connected to any other units may operate as a "stack- of-one." • Stack ID can be user assigned or automatically assigned. • Stacking ports are available to user in standalone mode as regular network ports. • Settings are applied only to the master unit; certain changes take place only after reset. The Stack Master unit manages the stack and is responsible for the configuration. The Master Backup Runs as a slave unit and monitors the operation of the stack master. A stack member runs a slave version of the switching algorithm, which allows the applications running on the master unit to control the resources of the member unit. 12 Chapter 3: Connecting the Switch Stacking Multiple Switches