Dell Networking 7048 - 8 Managing a Switch Stack; Stacking Overview

Managing a Switch Stack 141
8
Managing a Switch Stack
This chapter describes how to configure and manage a stack of switches.
The topics covered in this chapter include:
• Stacking Overview
• Default Stacking Values
• Managing and Monitoring the Stack (Web)
• Managing the Stack (CLI)
• Stacking and NSF Usage Scenarios
Stacking Overview
PowerConnect 7000 Series switches include a stacking feature that allows up
to 12 switches to operate as a single unit. The PowerConnect 7000 Series
switches have two plug-in modules at the rear. Each module has two ports
which can be SFP+, 10GBase-T, or CX-4. The CX-4 ports can be configured
to operate as either 10GbE switching or 16 Gb HiGig2 uplinks for stacking.
PowerConnect 7000 Series switches will stack with each other and the
PC6348 switches.
A single switch in the stack manages all the units in the stack (the stack
master), and you manage the stack by using a single IP address. The IP
address of the stack does not change, even if the stack master changes.
A stack is created by daisy-chaining stacking links on adjacent units. Up to
eight links per stack unit can be used for stacking (four in each direction). A
stack of units is manageable as a single entity when the units are connected
together. If a unit cannot detect a stacking partner on any port enabled for
stacking, the unit automatically operates as a standalone unit. If a stacking
partner is detected, the switch always operates in stacking mode. One unit in
NOTE: Each PowerConnect 7000 Series switch in the stack must have the optional
Stacking module installed in one of the two expansion slots on the back panel.
Figure 3-13 in Expansion Slots for Plug-in Modules shows the stacking module.