Dell Networking S3100 Series Getting Started Manual page 36

Figure 27. Connecting a Stack of Switches
A stack of three switches connected in a ring topology has these physical connections between the
switches:
1. The bottom mini-SAS port on Unit 1 is connected to the top mini-SAS port on Unit 2.
2. The bottom mini-SAS port on Unit 2 is connected to the top mini-SAS port on Unit 3.
3. The bottom mini-SAS port on Unit 3 is connected to the top mini-SAS port on Unit 1.
After you power up a stack for the first time, the switches elect a master switch, which may occupy any
location in the stack. The Master LED on the front panel is illuminated on the master unit.
If a master failure is detected in the stack, the stacking feature supports a standby unit that assumes the
master unit role. The standby unit is automatically selected in the stack. When a master failure is
detected, the standby unit initializes the control plane and enables all other stack units with the current
configuration. The standby unit maintains a synchronized copy of the running configuration for the stack.
NOTE: You can (optionally) use the CLI to assign the master unit role, or select a different stack
member as the standby unit, based on priority or MAC address. For more information, see the Dell
Configuration Guide for the S3100 Series or the Dell Command Line Reference Guide for the S3100
Series.
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Installation