TP-Link T3700G-52TQ User Manual page 57

When stack merge occurs, the previous masters compete to be the new master. The
stack members of the defeated stack will join the winner stack as a member to form a
new stack. Master will assign Unit Number to the newly joined members and compare
their configuration files. The members with different configurations files with the master
will download the configuration files of the master and re-configure.
Split: It occurs when stack splits into two or more stacks because of stack link failures,
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as shown in the following figure:
After stack partition occurs, each newly established stack elects their own new master
and use the MAC address of the master as its stack MAC address. However, stack
partition probably brings about routing and forwarding problems on the network since
the partitioned stacks keep operating with the previous IP address by default, which
results in same IP address being reused in the same LAN.
2. Operation Procedure
Stack management involves these four stages: Connecting the stack members, Topology
collection, Master election, and Stack management and maintenance.
1） Connecting the stack members
To establish a stack, please physically connect the stack ports of the member devices with
cables. The stack ports of T3700G-52TQ can be used for stack connection or as normal
Ethernet Gigabit port. When you want to establish a stack, the stack mode of the related
ports should be configured as "Enable". If the stack mode of the port is "Disable", then the
port will work as a normal Ethernet port.
Stack typically adopts a daisy chain topology or ring topology as shown in Figure 5-6:
Figure 5-5 Stack Split
Stack Connect Topology
Figure 5-6
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