8.1.2 Configuring a stack with standalone switches

(1) Check licenses and software of Switch A and Switch B

Use the operation command to check whether the optional licenses for Switch A and Switch B and the software version meet the conditions for stacking. For details about the conditions, see 7.2.3 Stack configuration conditions.

[Procedure]

1. Check the optional licensing by show license command on Switch A.

2. Check the software version with show version software command on Switch A.

3. Check the optional licensing by show license command on Switch B.

4. Check the software version using show version software command. This is done on Switch B.

(2) Switch A moves to one stack as switch number 1.

Enable the stack function on Switch A.

Points to note

To operate the Switch in a stacked mode, use stack enable command.- To enable stack enable command-setting, the Switch must be restarted. Therefore, make settings before starting operation. If stack enable command is set, all configurations cannot be changed until the Switch is restarted.

Command examples

1. (config)# stack enable

   After this command execute, please save configuration editing now in startup-config, and please reboot a device.

   Do you wish to continue ? (y/n):

   Configure the settings to operate on the stack. Enter y for the configuration change confirmation message.

2. (config)# save

   (config)# exit

   Saves the configuration and returns to administrator mode from configuration command mode.

3. # reload

   Restarts the Switch. After rebooting, the Switch operates as a member switch for a single stack.

(3) Configuration settings for member switch A and member switch B

Set member switch A to the configuration of all member switches that make up the stack.

Points to note

The configuration of member switch B, which is the backup switch, is synchronized with the configuration of member switch A, which is the master switch. For this reason, the following configuration must be set for member switch A:

• Stacking port on member switch A

• Master election priority of member switch A

• Model of member switch B

• Stacking port on member switch B

• Master election priority of member switch B

When a member switch B model is set, the configuration of the Ethernet interface corresponding to the specified model is automatically created. Also, set the master election priority of member switch A to a value greater than member switch B so that member switch A becomes the master switch.

Command examples

1. (config)# interface tengigabitethernet 1/0/29

   (config-if)# switchport mode stack

   (config-if)# exit

   (config)# interface tengigabitethernet 1/0/30

   (config-if)# switchport mode stack

   (config-if)# exit

   Sets the stack port on the Ethernet interface of member switch A (switch number 1).

2. (config)# switch 1 priority 20

   Sets the master election priority of member switch A (switch number 1) to 20.

3. (config)# switch 2 provision 2630-24t4xw

   Set the model of the device you plan to use as member switch B. Here, the modelsare set in AX2630S-24T4XW.

4. (config)# interface tengigabitethernet 2/0/29

   (config-if)# switchport mode stack

   (config-if)# exit

   (config)# interface tengigabitethernet 2/0/30

   (config-if)# switchport mode stack

   (config-if)# exit

   Sets the stack port on the Ethernet interface of member switch B (switch number 2).

5. (config)# switch 2 priority 10

   Sets the master election priority of member switch B (switch number 2) to 10.

6. (config)# save

   (config)# exit

   Saves the configuration and returns to administrator mode from configuration command mode.

(4) Switch B is moved to one stack as switch number 2.

Set the Switch number of Switch B to 2 to enable the stack function.

Points to note

Set the switch number of Switch B to 2. You must then use stack enable command. Then, you must restart the Switch.

Command examples

1. # set switch 2

   # configure

   Set the switch number to 2.

2. (config)# stack enable

   After this command execute, please save configuration editing now in startup-config, and please reboot a device.

   Do you wish to continue ? (y/n):

   Configure the settings to operate on the stack. Enter y for the configuration change confirmation message.

3. (config)# save

   (config)# exit

   Saves the configuration and returns to administrator mode from configuration command mode.

4. # reload

   Restarts the Switch. After rebooting, the Switch operates as a member switch for a single stack.

(5) Configuration settings for member switch B to connect to member switch A

Sets the minimum configuration for member switch B to connect to member switch A and configure the stack.

Points to note

Set the master election priority of member switch B to 1 so that member switch B does not operate as a master switch even if member switch A restarts due to a failure or other reason when it is connected to member switch A.

The configuration set here is replaced by the configuration set by member switch A, which is the master switch.

Command examples

1. (config)# interface tengigabitethernet 2/0/29

   (config-if)# switchport mode stack

   (config-if)# exit

   (config)# interface tengigabitethernet 2/0/30

   (config-if)# switchport mode stack

   (config-if)# exit

   Sets the stack port on the Ethernet interface of member switch B (switch number 2).

2. (config)# switch 2 priority 1

   Sets the master election priority of member switch B (switch number 2) to 1.

3. (config)# save

   (config)# exit

   Saves the configuration and returns to administrator mode from configuration command mode.

(6) Migrating to two stacks, member switch A and member switch B

A member switch A operating as a member switch of a single stack and a member switch B stack port are connected to move to a two-member stack.

Because the master election priority of member switch B is 1, member switch A continues to operate as the master switch, and member switch B automatically restarts.

After reboot, member switch B will automatically reboot to synchronize with the configuration of member switch A. Then, it operates in a stacked configuration where member switch A is the master switch and member switch B is the backup switch.

[Procedure]

1. Connect member switch A to the stacking port of member switch B.

2. # show switch detail

   Execute the operation command show switch detail to confirm that member switch A is running on the stack that is the master switch and member switch B is the backup switch.