Stacking Configuration Requirements; Stacking Cables; Stack Size; Stacking Topologies - Brocade Communications Systems ICX 6430 Installation Manual

2
Connecting devices in a traditional stack
•
•
•

Stacking configuration requirements

Before configuring the traditional stack using the CLI, physically connect the devices using stacking
cables. For information about configuring a stack, see the FastIron Ethernet Switch Stacking
Configuration Guide.

Stacking cables

Use copper stacking cables or SFP+ fiber optic cables to connect ICX 6450 devices or ICX 6430
devices in a traditional stack. The active copper cable lengths for 1-Gbps ports are 1 meter and 5
meters. The copper cable lengths for 10-Gbps ports are 1 meter, 3 meters, and 5 meters.

Stack size

A traditional stack can contain a maximum of eight ICX 6450 devices or four ICX 6430 devices. A
traditional stack cannot contain both ICX 6430 and ICX 6450 devices.

Stacking topologies

Both linear and ring topologies are supported in a traditional stack. In a linear stack topology there
is a connection between each switch that carries two-way communications across the stack. This
connection can use one port or two ports per trunk.
For example, in a four-unit stack using a linear topology, unit 1 connects to unit 2, unit 2 to unit 3,
and unit 3 to unit 4.
In ring stack topology, there is an extra connection between the logical first and last devices
forming a"ring" or "closed-loop." The closed-loop connection provides a redundant path for the
stack link, so if one link fails, stack communications can be maintained.
For example, in a four-unit stack using a ring topology, unit 1 connects to unit 2, unit 2 to unit 3,
unit 3 to unit 4, and unit 4 connects to unit 1.
You can connect stacking units using one port per trunk or both ports in a trunk. For maximum
bandwidth and link redundancy, use both ports per trunk.
The following figures show supported stacking topologies:
•
•
•
24
If you connect both ports in a trunk, both ports must connect to both ports of one trunk on
another device.
When configuring a trunk, the ports in the same column are always trunked (port 1 to port 2,
port 3 to port 4). One or both of the two sets of stacking ports can be trunked (or un-trunked).
For ICX 6430 devices, all stacking ports must be at 1-Gbps port speed to enable trunking. For
ICX 6450 devices, all stacking ports must be configured to 10-Gbps port speed to enable
trunking.
Figure 28—Linear and ring stacking topologys using one port per trunk. (the most commonly
configured stacking topology.)
Figure 29—Linear stacking topology using both ports in each trunk.
Figure 30—Ring stacking topology using both ports in each trunk.
Brocade ICX 6430 and ICX 6450 Stackable Switches Hardware Installation Guide
53-1002738-02