Chapter 43 Virtual Chassis—Overview, Components, And Configurations - Dell PowerConnect J-EX4200-24T Software Manual

CHAPTER 43
Virtual Chassis—Overview, Components,
and Configurations
Virtual Chassis Overview
Virtual Chassis Overview on page 691
Understanding Virtual Chassis Components on page 694
Understanding How the Master in a Virtual Chassis Configuration Is Elected on page 698
Understanding Software Upgrade in a Virtual Chassis Configuration on page 698
Understanding Global Management of a Virtual Chassis Configuration on page 699
Understanding Nonvolatile Storage in a Virtual Chassis Configuration on page 702
Understanding the High-Speed Interconnection of the Virtual Chassis
Members on page 702
Understanding Virtual Chassis Configurations and Link Aggregation on page 702
Understanding Virtual Chassis Configuration on page 704
Understanding Virtual Chassis J-EX4200 Switch Version Compatibility on page 705
Understanding Fast Failover in a Virtual Chassis Configuration on page 706
Understanding Split and Merge in a Virtual Chassis Configuration on page 712
Understanding Automatic Software Update on Virtual Chassis Member
Switches on page 715
The Dell PowerConnect J-Series J-EX4200 Ethernet Switch is the basis for the Virtual
Chassis flexible, scaling switch solution. You can connect individual J-EX4200 switches
together to form one unit and manage the unit as a single chassis, called a Virtual Chassis.
Up to ten J-EX4200 switches can be interconnected, providing up to a total of 480 access
ports. The available bandwidth increases as you include more members within the Virtual
Chassis configuration. See "Understanding the High-Speed Interconnection of the Virtual
Chassis Members" on page 702.
This topic describes:
Basic Configuration of a Virtual Chassis with Master and Backup Switches on page 692
Expanding Configurations—Within a Single Wiring Closet and Across Wiring
Closets on page 692
691