Overview - Allied Telesis x950 Series Installation Manual

Chapter 3: Virtual Chassis Stacking

Overview

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The Virtual Chassis Stacking (VCStack) feature enables you link together
up to four x950 Switches into a virtual stack so that they function as a
single networking unit. The feature provides the following benefits:
Simplifies management - You can manage the devices as a single

unit, rather than individually. Your local and remote management
sessions automatically give you management access to all the
switches.
Reduces IP addresses - A stack requires only one IP address for

remote management access, reducing the number of IP addresses
you have to assign to network devices. The one address gives you
management access to all the stack units.
Adds feature flexibility and resiliency - Stacking gives you more

flexibility in how you can configure some features. For instance,
you can create port aggregations using ports from different
switches, rather than ports from only one switch. By distributing the
ports of an aggregation across multiple switches, you increase its
resiliency because the aggregation can continue to function,
though at a reduced bandwidth, even if a switch in a stack stops
functioning.
Reduces protocol requirements - Creating a stack might eliminate

the need to configure some protocols, such as the Virtual Router
Redundancy Protocol or Spanning Tree Protocol.