Hot-Swapping Modules In A Stack; Removing Switches From An Existing Stack; Inserting Switches Into An Existing Stack - Alcatel OmniSwitch 6800 Series Hardware User's Manual

Hot-Swapping Modules In a Stack

Hot-Swapping Modules In a Stack
As with chassis-based switches such as the OmniSwitch 7700/7800 or OmniSwitch 8800, NI modules
within an OmniSwitch 6800 Series virtual chassis are hot-swappable. NI modules are essentially those
modules operating in the stack in idle mode. These modules can be removed from, or added to, an exist-
ing stack without disrupting other modules in the stack.

Removing Switches from an Existing Stack

When removing switches from an existing stack, observe the following important guidelines:
Do not attempt to hot-swap modules operating in primary or secondary management roles
•
Be sure the stacking cables and stacking cable redundancy are not disrupted
•
Hot-swapping is intended for switches in idle and, if applicable, pass-through status only. Removing
primary or secondary management modules from a stack will trigger a failover sequence—i.e., one or
more additional modules within the stack must reload in order to reassign the management roles. When-
ever possible, avoid removing a switch that is operating as a primary or secondary management module.
Also, removing a switch from a stacked configuration can disrupt stack cabling at the rear of the stack.
When removing a module, be sure that stacking link integrity—including important stacking cable redun-
dancy—is maintained between all remaining modules. For more information on stacking cable connec-
tions, refer to page 3-15.

Inserting Switches Into an Existing Stack

When inserting switches into an existing stack, observe the following important guidelines:
Avoid duplicate saved slot numbers
•
Never attempt to operate more than eight switches in a single stack
•
Be sure that there are adequate tokens available to accommodate the incoming module(s)
•
Make sure all switches are running the same software version.
•
Note. Other stackable Alcatel products, such as the OmniSwitch 6600 Series switch, cannot be added to an
OmniSwitch 6800 Series virtual chassis.
To avoid duplicate slot numbers, simply make sure that any modules being added to an existing stack have
been cleared of preassigned slot information. In other words, verify that there is no boot.slot.cfg file
present in the /flash directory of any switch being added. When the switch is connected to the existing
stack and booted, the system software automatically assigns it a unique slot number. No duplicate slot
errors occur.
Note. If it is preferable to add a switch with an existing boot.slot.cfg file to a stack, be sure that the saved
slot number of the incoming switch is not already assigned to a switch operating in the stack.
page 3-22
Managing OmniSwitch 6800 Series Stacks
OmniSwitch 6800 Series Hardware Users Guide July 2005