Connecting Switches In A Stack - SMC Networks SMC8724ML3 Installation Manual

I
NSTALLING THE

Connecting Switches in a Stack

Figure 3-7 shows how the stack cables are connected between switches in a
stack. Each stacking connection is a 40 Gbps full-duplex high-speed serial
link using proprietary stacking cables. The switch supports a line- and
ring-topology stacking configuration, or can be used stand alone.
In line-topology stacking there is a single stack cable connection between
each switch that carries two-way communications across the stack. In
ring-topology stacking, an extra cable is connected between the top and
bottom switches forming a "ring" or "closed-loop." The closed-loop cable
provides a redundant path for the stack link, so if one link fails, stack
communications can be maintained. Figure 3-7 illustrates a ring-topology
stacking configuration.
To connect up to eight switches in a stack, perform the following steps:
1. Plug one end of the stack cable (ordered separately) in the Down
(right) port of the top unit.
2. Plug the other end of the stack cable into the Up (left) port of the next
unit.
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 for each unit in the stack. Form a simple chain
starting at the Down port on the top unit and ending at the Up port
on the bottom unit (stacking up to 8 units).
3-10
S
WITCH