Stacking Functionality Delivery; Stack Enabled Switches; Standalone Configuration With License Files - Nortel 2500 Series System Configuration Manual

40 Nortel Ethernet Routing Switch 2500 Series stacking

Stacking functionality delivery

The Nortel Ethernet Routing Switch 2500 series switches allow you to
stack multiple switches together to create a single virtual switch that can
be managed as a single device. Stacking functionality is delivered in
two distinctively different ways on Ethernet Routing Switch 2500 series
switches:
•
•

Stack enabled switches

The stack enabled unit rear ports are configured in Stacking Mode at
the factory and are ready for immediate use for connection in a stack
configuration. Stacking Mode is the default operating mode that cannot be
overridden by a factory default. Standalone Mode operation is still available
for configuration on the rear-ports of stack enabled units. For information
on adding or replacing a new unit, see
(page
All factory pre-enabled units are identifiable through CLI, Web UI, and
Device Manager with the text Stack Enabled included in the switch
description for identification purposes.
Standalone configuration with license files
Standalone units are not pre-enabled with stacking capability in the factory
and require the use of a software based licensing mechanism to unlock
stacking functionality for activation on the rear ports. Standalone units use
the GenLic engine for decryption of a license file. The license file must
contain the switch MAC address to unlock the stacking functionality.
Standalone units require the purchase of an Ethernet Routing Switch 2500
series Stacking License Kit, of which there are four types available. Each kit
contains a License Certificate with a License Authorization Code (LAC) that
enables a specific number of stacking licenses for one or multiple ERS 2500
series switches. Each ERS 2500 series switch requires one license file to
unlock stacking functionality. A single license file can contain up to 1000
switch MAC addresses for installation on multiple switches.
Copyright © 2007, Nortel Networks
.
Through stack enabled units with order codes AL2515xxx-E6. The
rear ports of stack enabled ERS 2500 switch are factory pre-enabled,
configured, and operating in Stacking Mode by default and are ready
to stack. These units do not require or use the software licensing
mechanism.
Through software using a licensing mechanism for standalone units with
order codes AL2500xxx-E6. Standalone ERS 2500 switches require the
purchase of a Stacking License Kit for each license to create a license
file, which unlocks stacking capability on standalone units.
53).
Nortel Ethernet Routing Switch 2500 Series
Overview — System Configuration
NN47215-500 (323162-B) 02.02 Standard
4.1 19 November 2007
"Adding/Replacing a stack unit"