Dell Force10 S50N Series Installing Manual page 26

Figure 4-4. Stacking Topology Using 24G Single-port Modules
Module A
Switch 1
Switch 2
Switch 3
Connecting Two Switches
Insert one end of the special stacking cable into a stack port, and insert the other end into a stack port of
the adjacent switch. Optionally, insert a second cable into the other open stack port, as shown in
Figure 4-5. The second cable provides both backup connectivity and increased data transfer between the
units.
Figure 4-5. Stack Ports of Two S50V Switches Connected in a Ring
STACK
STACK
Stack Port A
NOTE: These diagrams and instructions use "Stack Port A" and "Stack Port B" for clarifying the connections,
but the modules are not labeled.
Connecting Three Switches
Dell Force10 recommends the ring topology, as outlined above
Series switches, providing redundant connectivity. Using the example of three switches in the stack
(Figure 4-6), and starting with the switch at the bottom of the stack:
• Insert one end of the first cable into Stack Port A.
• Insert the other end of the cable into Stack Port A of the middle switch.
• Insert the second cable into Stack Port B of the middle and top switches.
26 | Installing the Switch
Module B
A
A
A
STACK
STACK
Stack Port B
Ring topology
using two
B
24Gig modules
per unit
B
B
FG -48V -48V Current
FG -48V -48V Current
(Figure 4-3 on page
RTN Sharing
RTN Sharing
25), for stacking S-