Managing Device Information
Managing Stacking
Cisco Small Business SFE/SGE Managed Switches Administration Guide 15
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• The stacking members operate under the control of the Master unit. Device
software is downloaded separately for each stack member. All stacking
members must run the same software version. A stack may contain from zero
to six stacking members (not including the Backup unit).
Defining Stacking Unit ID
Each member unit of a stack is assigned a Unit ID. The Unit ID assignment can be
manually selected by the system administrator or automatically selected by the
software. The value of the Unit ID also signifies the class of unit. For a stack
comprised of factory default units only, the Unit IDs are assigned as follows:
• Unit ID 1 - Stacking Master
• Unit ID 2 - Backup Master
• Units ID 3 - 8 - Stacking members.
The Unit ID is displayed by a LED indicator on the front panel.
Units of a stack do not have to be connected in sequential order. For example, a
stack may consist of the units connected in the following order:
Unit 3—Unit 5—Unit 1—Unit 4—Unit 2
It is recommended that a stack of new, factory default switches be initially
configured in the automatic mode. This ensures that a group of factory delivered
switches can be easily configured as a stack. After the initial setup of the stack,
the Unit ID mode for a stack member may be changed.
Master-enabled Units and Force Master
Unit 1 and Unit 2 are called Master-Enabled units because they are the only units in
an existing stack that are eligible to become the Master unit. One of these units
becomes the Master unit and the other becomes the Backup unit. The Master unit
selection can be made automatically by the system, or manually by the system
administrator by setting one of the Master-enabled units as Force Master. The
Backup unit may also be selected automatically by the system, or manually by
setting the Unit ID. For example, the system administrator may set Unit 2 as Force
Master and manually number another unit to be Unit 1. In this case Unit 2 becomes
the Master unit and Unit 1 becomes the Backup unit.
Stacking Member Unit IDs
Units 3 through 8 are assigned to stacking members. Stacking members are
managed by the Master unit.
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