Stacking Dell PowerConnect Switches: 8132, 8132F, 8164, 8164F 
23 
 
Adding new member units to a stack 
It is important that all stack member units run the same version of firmware.  Make sure to either 
upgrade firmware on the new units to be added to match the firmware on the Master, or use the 
automatic firmware update method found in section Automatic firmware updates for new members 
joining the stack. 
Caution: 5.0.x.x firmware will not load on a switch with the newer “B1” CPU. It is 
therefore recommended to upgrade all PowerConnect 8100 switches to the latest 
firmware.  See “Important Firmware Update for PowerConnect 81xx Stacking” at the 
beginning of this document for more information. 
The example below shows how to add a stack member to an existing stack.  Before cabling a new 
switch into the stack, perform the commands below to setup the switch ports to be stacked.  Once 
configured, continue to follow the instructions for cabling to complete the task.  If multiple new 
members are to be added, complete the installation of one switch before going to the next.  Complete 
these steps again for each switch to be added. 
This example allows adding new members without preconfiguring the existing stack, though the new 
members themselves will need to be configured.  To preconfigure a stack before connecting the new 
stack member, consult the User Guide under Preconfiguring a Stack Member. 
Command-line interface method  
Run the commands below on the switch to be added using either the console port or a telnet session.  
console#show switch stack-ports 
 
  Configured Running 
   Stack     Stack      Link        Link 
 Interface   Mode      Mode       Status      Speed (Gb/s) 
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------   ------------ 
Te1/0/1    Ethernet   Ethernet   Link Down    Unknown 
Te1/0/2    Ethernet   Ethernet   Link Down    Unknown 
Te1/0/3    Ethernet   Ethernet   Link Down    Unknown 
      . 
      . 
      . 
Te1/0/22   Ethernet   Ethernet   Link Down    Unknown 
Te1/0/23   Ethernet   Ethernet   Link Down    Unknown 
Te1/0/24   Ethernet   Ethernet   Link Down    Unknown 
Fo1/1/1    Ethernet   Ethernet   Link Down    40 
Fo1/1/2    Ethernet   Ethernet   Link Down    40 
Te1/1/1    Ethernet   Ethernet   Detach       10 
Te1/1/2    Ethernet   Ethernet   Detach       10 
Te1/1/3    Ethernet   Ethernet   Detach       10 
Te1/1/4    Ethernet   Ethernet   Detach       10 
Te1/1/5    Ethernet   Ethernet   Detach       10 
Te1/1/6    Ethernet   Ethernet   Detach       10 
Te1/1/7    Ethernet   Ethernet   Detach       10 
Te1/1/8    Ethernet   Ethernet   Detach       10