Overview - Allied Telesis AlliedWare Plus Installation Manual

Chapter 2: Virtual Chassis Stacking

Overview

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The Virtual Chassis Stacking (VCStack) feature allows multiple x930
Switches to function as a single networking unit. Benefits of the VCStack
feature include:
Simplifies management - You can manage the devices of the stack

as a single unit, rather than individually. Your local and remote
management sessions automatically give you management
access to all the devices.
Reduces IP addresses - A stack requires only one IP address for

remote management access, thereby reducing the number of IP
addresses you have to assign to network devices. The one
address gives you management access to all the units.
Adds network redundancy - You can add redundancy to your

network topology by distributing functions across multiple
switches. For instance, static port trunks on standalone switches
have to consist of ports from the same switch. In contrast, static
port trunks in a stack can have ports from different switches.
Reduces protocol requirements - Creating a stack might eliminate

your need to configure some protocols, such as the Virtual Router
Redundancy Protocol and Spanning Tree Protocol.