Merging Two Operational Stacks; Preconfiguration; Upgrading Firmware - NETGEAR 7000 Series Administration Manual

Merging Two Operational Stacks

It is strongly recommended that two functioning stacks (each having an independent master) not
be merged simply by the reconnection of stack cables. That process may result in a number of
unpredictable results and should be avoided.
1. Always power off all units in one stack before connecting into another stack.
2. Add the units as a group by unplugging one stacking cable in the operational stack and
physically connecting all unpowered units at that point.
3. Completely cable the stacking connections, making sure the redundant link is also in place.
4. Then, power up each unit, one at a time, by following

Preconfiguration

All configuration on the stack except unit numbers is stored on the management unit. This means
that a stack unit may be replaced with another device of the same type without having to
reconfigure the switch. Unit numbers are stored independently on each switch, so that after power
cycling the stack the units always come back with the same unit numbers. The unit type associated
with each unit number may be learned by the management unit automatically as the units are
connected or preconfigured by the administrator.
1. Issue the member <unit-id> <switchindex> command to preconfigure a unit. Supported unit
types are shown by the show supported switchtype command.
2. Next, configure the unit you just defined with configuration commands, just as if the unit were
physically present.
3. Ports for the preconfigured unit come up in "detached" state and can be seen with the show
port all command. The detached ports may now be configured for VLAN membership and
any other port-specific configuration.
4. After a unit type is preconfigured for a specific unit number, attaching a unit with different unit
type for this unit number causes the switch to report an error. The show switch command
indicates "config mismatch" for the new unit and the ports on that unit don't come up. To
resolve this situation the customer may change the unit number of the mismatched unit or
delete the preconfigured unit type using the no member <unit-id> command.

Upgrading Firmware

New code is downloaded via TFTP or xmodem to the management unit using the copy command.
Once code is successfully loaded on the management unit, it automatically propagates the code to
the other units in the stack. If some error occurs during code propagation to stack units then the
Managing Switch Stacks
NETGEAR 7000 Series Managed Switch Administration Guide Version 7.2
v1.0, May 2008
"Adding a Unit to an Operating Stack".
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