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Configuring Switches in a Stack
The information in the following sections is important to understand A4 switch operation and
installations in a stack configuration.
About A4 Switch Operation in a Stack
The A4 switches are stackable switches that can be adapted and scaled to help meet your network
needs. These switches provide a management platform and uplink to a network backbone for a
stacked group of up to eight A4 switches.
Once installed in a stack, the switches behave and perform as a single switch. As such, you can
start with a single switch and add more switches as your network expands. You can also mix
different products in the A4H family in a single stack to provide a desired combination of port
types and functions to match the requirements of individual applications. In all cases, a stack of
switches performs as one large product, and is managed as a single network entity.
When switches are installed and connected as described in
page 2-5, the following occurs during initialization:
•
The switch that will manage the stack is automatically established and is referred to as the
manager switch.
•
All other switches are established as member switches in the stack.
•
The hierarchy of the switches that will assume the function of backup manager is also
determined in case the current manager malfunctions, is powered down, or is disconnected
from the stack.
•
The Console port on the manager switch remains active for out-of-band (local) switch
management, but the Console port on each member switch is deactivated. This enables you to
set the IP address and system password using a single Console port. Now each switch can be
configured locally using only the manager's Console port, or in-band using a remote device
and the CLI set of commands described in this section. For procedures used for various types
of connections to the Console port, refer to
Management" on page 2-20.
Once a stack is created (more than one switch is interconnected), the following occurs:
1.
Switch (unit) IDs are arbitrarily assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.
2.
Switch IDs are saved against each module. Then, every time a switch is power-cycled, it will
initialize with the same switch ID. This is important for port-specific information (for
example: fe.4.12 is the 12th Fast Ethernet port on switch number 4).
3.
The management election process uses the following precedence to assign a manager switch:
a.
b. Management assigned priority (values 1–15)
c.
d. Highest MAC Address
Note: You can stack an A4H model switch only with other A4H model switches. You cannot stack
an A4H model switch with switches that are not A4H model switches. That is, A4 switches do NOT
stack with A2 switches.
Previously assigned/elected manager switch
Hardware preference level
"Connecting Stacking
"Connecting to the Console Port for Local
Enterasys A4 Fast Ethernet Switch Hardware Installation Guide 2-7
Configuring Switches in a Stack
Cables" on
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