Extreme Networks ExtremeSwitching 5320 Series User Manual

Build Stacks
Introduction to Stacking on page 41
Plan to Create Your Stack on page 51
Set up the Physical Stack on page 55
A stack consists of a group of up to eight switches that are connected to form a ring.
The stack offers the combined port capacity of the individual switches; it operates as if
it were a single switch, making network administration easier.
Stacking is facilitated by the SummitStack-V feature – part of the SwitchEngine Basic
License features.
This topic describes the supported congurations for stacking switches, the
considerations for planning a stack, and the steps for setting up the hardware. Read
this chapter before installing the switches that will make up the stack.
Refer to the Stacking chapter in the SwitchEngine 32.1 User Guide for information
about conguring a stack, maintaining the stack conguration, and troubleshooting.
Introduction to Stacking
When stacking switches, the stack operates as if it were a single switch with a single IP
address and a single point of authentication. One switch – called the primary switch –
is responsible for running network protocols and managing the stack. The primary runs
SwitchEngine software and maintains all the software tables for all the switches in the
stack.
All switches in the stack, including the primary switch, are called nodes. Figure 22
shows four nodes in a stack, connected to each other by SummitStack cables.
All connections between stack ports must be directly between switches. A stacking
connection cannot pass through a third device, for example a Virtual Port Extender or
an LRM/MACsec Adapter.
ExtremeSwitching 5320 Series Hardware Installation Guide 41

Extreme Networks ExtremeSwitching 5320 Series Specifications

General

Brand	Extreme Networks
Model	ExtremeSwitching 5320 Series
Category	Switch
Language	English