Stack Configuration Maintenance; Stack Master Election - NETGEAR M4300 User Manual

M4300 Series and M4300-96X Fully Managed Switches User Manual
We recommend that you set the active image for all stack members
Note:
the same as the active image of the stack master. In other words, if
image1 is the active image on the stack master, all units must use
image1 as the active image. For information about configuring the
active image, see

Stack Configuration Maintenance

The stack master stores and maintains the saved and running configuration files for the
switch stack. The configuration files include the system-level settings for the switch stack and
the interface-level settings for all stack members. Each stack member retains a copy of the
saved file for backup purposes. If the master is removed from the stack or becomes
unavailable, another member is elected master and then runs from that saved configuration.
The switch master copies its running configuration to the stack member configured as the
standby unit whenever it changes (subject to some restrictions to reduce overhead). This
enables the standby unit to take over the stack operation with minimal interruption if the stack
master becomes unavailable. The running-config synchronization also occurs when the
running configuration is auto-saved on the stack master or when the standby unit changes.

Stack Master Election

All stack members are eligible stack masters. If the stack master becomes unavailable, the
remaining stack members participate in electing a new stack master from among themselves.
The following factors determine which switch is elected the stack master:
The switch that is master always has priority to retain the role of master.
•
Assigned priority.
•
MAC address.
•
When the stack is powered up and completes the boot process or the original stack master
becomes unavailable, the stack master is determined through an election process.
The rules for stack master election are as follows:
If a unit was elected stack master previously, then it remains the stack master and other
•
units are stack members.
If no units were stack masters, or more than one unit was a stack master, then the unit
•
with the highest management preference is elected stack master. The management
preference can be assigned by the administrator. However, if all units are assigned the
same management preference, then the unit with the highest MAC address is assigned
as the stack master.
Configure Dual Image Settings
Stacking
162
on page 669.