Stack Unit Modes; Standalone; Native Stacking; Basic Hybrid - Cisco 500 Series Quick Start Manual

Changing the stack mode of a switch requires a reboot of the switch.

Stack Unit Modes

Devices can operate in one of the following Stack Unit modes:
• Standalone—The device is not connected to any other device and
does not have a stack port.
• Native Stacking—A device can connect to other devices of the same
type through its stack ports to form a stack. All units in a native stack
must be of the same type (either all Sx500s or all SG500Xs).
• Basic Hybrid—A device can connect to other devices from the 500
series to form a stack. In this mode, VRRP and/or RIP are not supported.
The GUI for Sx500 devices is displayed, even if the stack master is
SG500X, since the feature set is that of the Sx500.
In this mode, any type of device can function as master or backup. Only
5G stacking ports can be used as stack ports.
• Advanced Hybrid—A device can connect to other devices from the
500 series to form a stack. In this mode, VRRP and/or RIP are supported.
Only SG500X devices can function as master/backup, and auto
numbering of units is not supported.
Sx500 devices can only be slaves, therefore up to six Sx500 units can
be stacked with two SG500X devices.
• Advanced Hybrid XG — A device in the SG500XG series can connect
to other SG 500X devices to form a stack, with the SG500X feature set.
In this mode, VRRP and/or RIP are supported.
Any device can function as master, backup, or slave.
12 500 Series Stackable Managed Switches