Stackwise

This guide explains the concept, functionality and configuration of Stackwise. Multiple switches are set up and connected directly to each other. Four Cisco Catalyst 9300 Layer 3 switches have been used for this guide.

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Introduction

Preparation

Introduction

Stackwise is a Cisco technology that allows multiple physical switches to be combined into a single logical switch. Stackwise enables switches to become a single switching unit, allowing for simplified management and increased scalability. With Stackwise, up to 8 physical switches can be connected together using specialized stacking cables, which create a single logical switch unit. This logical switch unit can then be managed as a single entity, with the ability to manage and configure all switches in the stack from a single user interface. This technology also provides additional benefits such as increased bandwidth and resiliency. Stacked switches operate as a single unit, allowing traffic to be distributed across all available links for increased throughput. Additionally, if one switch in the stack fails, the other switches in the stack can continue to operate, maintaining network uptime and availability.

Description

Multiple physical devices become a single logical device

Up to 8 physical switches can be connected together using specialized stacking cables

Stackwise uses physical stack port interfaces on the back of the devices

Up to a maximum of eight switches can be stacked together physically in a ring topology

The device management is simplified, because the whole stack can be accessed via 1 management IP address

This architecture provides resiliency, scalability, and central management

All switches share the same configuration

All control plane functions are managed by the active device

The active device takes management control of all members

If the switches are initiated simultaneously, the switch with the lower MAC address becomes the active virtual switch

All devices actively forward traffic simultaneously, regardless of which member currently holds the active role

It is possible to mix switches with different model variants and different network modules in the stack

Stacking cables are mandatory for stacking architecture

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