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

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:
Brocade ICX 6430 and ICX 6450 Stackable Switches Hardware Installation Guide
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Stacking cables
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