How to Stacking Cisco 2960-S switches? Detailed Examples Here

How to stack Cisco 2960-S switches? If you know some general information about Stacking technology and stacking switches, it would be simpler for you. In this article, we will share the main tips and steps of stacking 3 Cisco 2960-S switches.

Before stacking, the main components that you will need are: Catalyst 2960 switches, stack modules and stack cables

Once you remove the stack module cover on the rear of the switch, you will of course have gaping holes that you will need to insert the modules into!

You can go ahead and plug in the stack cables and allow the switches to select the MASTER through an election process, or you can define which switch you’d like to be the MASTER by setting the priority to the highest level which is 15.

switch(config)# switch 1 priority 15

The Cisco 2960-S switches are in order from top to bottom: 1, 2 and 3. (MASTER, MEMBER, MEMBER)

*Notice the white/gray tabs on the stack cables. If the cables are on the top position, the tabs are on top. If they are connected on the bottom, the tabs are on the bottom!

If everything is done right, you can visually tell which switch is the MASTER by looking at the front display LED lights. Take a look at it below.

Stacking Benefits

20Gbps Bandwidth –It is full duplex, that’s how they arrived with 20Gbps.

Management – When stacked, all your switches are logically one switch. One management IP address to manage all three switches.

Cabling - Cleaner cabling since they stack from behind and would not interfere with any other cables you may have. So it is aesthetically pleasing.

4 Member Switch capacity - You can stack up to four switches in your Flexstack switching fabric. This gives you much room for growth and 192 Ethernet 10/100/1000 ports with 16 optional modules.

Hot pluggable switches -You can remove and add switches while the stack is running. A working stack can accept new members or delete old ones without service interruption.

FlexStack-Hardware drop table.

 

Stacking Rules

Make sure your IOS versions are the same, if not, update each switch with the same IOS version before proceeding.

All switches out of the box (if not stacked, meaning they are standalone) defaults to being their own MASTER.

If you manually change the stack member number, you need to RELOAD that member switch in order for it to take effect. (hint: use the RELOAD SLOT command)

Priorities range from 1 through 15. The higher the priority, the higher the chances of the member switch becoming the MASTER.

 

Stack Commands

If you want to see the status of your stack ports.

Verify that your stack is connected at full duplex.

Verify that you have access to all your interfaces. (I’ve cut the output for brevity)

Verify all your switches are part of the stack and who your MASTER switch is.

FlexStack vs StackWise Plus

So what is the difference between the two “stacking” technologies from Cisco? Have a look at the chart below!

Whether you are stacking the 3750 or 2960 series switches, you will gain performance benefits. At the end of the day, you will have to decide if there is a business need for this type of technology for your network.

Reference from http://www.brandontek.com/cisco/stacking-cisco-2960-s-switches/

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