Overview - Allied Telesis x530 Series Installation Manual

Chapter 2: Virtual Chassis Stacking

Overview

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The VCStack feature is used to connect multiple x530 Series switches into
a single, virtual networking unit. Some of the benefits of the VCStack
feature are listed here:
Simplifies management - You can manage the devices of the stack

as a single unit, rather than individually. Your local and remote
management sessions give you management access to all the
switches in the stack.
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.
Adds redundancy to your network topology by distributing

functions across multiple switches. For example, you can create
port aggregators of ports from different switches in a stack, rather
than from only one switch. Distributing the ports of an aggregator
across two or more switches in a stack increases its resiliency
because it can continue to function, though at a reduced
bandwidth, even if one of the switches stops functioning.
Reduces protocol requirements - Building a stack might eliminate

the need to configure some protocols, such as the Virtual Router
Redundancy Protocol or Spanning Tree Protocol.