Stacking Topologies - Brocade Communications Systems ICX 6430 Installation Manual

Stacking topologies

Two basic ring topologies are supported in a mixed stack: single ring and dual ring.
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.
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 on all stack units.
Topology 1: single ring
In Figure
devices. There can be up to six ICX 6450 peripheral devices.
This is a single ring configuration in which the second ICX 6610 device is connected to the first
ICX 6450 device, and the first ICX 6610 device is connected to the last ICX 6450 device. There is
one substack that contains three peripheral devices.
FIGURE 35
ICX 6610
ICX 6610
ICX 6450
ICX 6450
ICX 6450
Topology 2: dual ring
In Figure
devices in two rings. This is a dual ring configuration.
The first ICX 6610 device is connected to the last ICX 6450 device in the "vertical" ring. The
backbone devices are also connected to the first and last ICX 6450 devices in the "horizontal" ring.
There are two substacks, each containing three peripheral devices.
Brocade ICX 6430 and ICX 6450 Stackable Switches Hardware Installation Guide
53-1002738-02
35, two ICX 6610 devices form the backbone and there are three ICX 6450 peripheral
Topology 1: single ring
36, two ICX 6610 devices form the backbone and there are six ICX 6450 peripheral
Connecting devices in a mixed stack
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