Dell PC6248P Switch User Manual


 
Getting Started Guide 17
System Initialization
If the Master Switch determines during the firmware version consistency check that all switches are running
the same version of firmware, the switch will be initialized for Stacking Mode.
System Initialization for Normal Stacking Mode
The Master Switch will initialize the stack using the last saved system configuration file. For those switches
that do not have a configuration file, the system will apply default settings to those switches.
If the configuration file is corrupted, the Master Switch will initialize the stack and set it to the Factory Default
Configuration.
You can save the configuration file. The Master Switch will automatically distribute the configuration file to
the member switches. If the Master Switch later becomes unavailable, a Member Switch can become the new
Master Switch and apply the configuration file that was saved on the original Master Switch.
System Initialization for Suspended Stacking Mode
After system initialization is complete, the Master Switch will enter Suspended Stacking Mode if the firmware
versions of the stack are inconsistent. In this mode, only the Master Switch is initialized with configuration file
information. None of the member switches are initialized. This forces all member switches to remain in non-
operational mode.
CLI/ Telnet/ Web Interface
You can use the CLI / WEB / SNMP to synchronize the firmware that is stored in the Master Switch to a member
switch.
Insertion and Removal of Switches
You can insert and remove switches to/from the current stack without cycling the power. The entire network may
be affected when a topology change occurs, as a stack reconfiguration will take place. A new Master Switch will
not be re-elected, unless the Master Switch was removed from the stack. Stack reconfiguration takes a maximum
of two minutes in a stack of twelve switches, less time for smaller stacks.
Operating as Standalone Switch
If a switch cannot detect a stacking partner on a port enabled for stacking, the switch will operate as a standalone
switch. If a stacking partner is detected, the switch will always operate in stacking mode.
Stack ID Renumbering
You can manually assign Stack IDs to a switch. A switch can only be assigned a Stack ID that has not already
been assigned to another switch in the stack. Any configuration information that was saved for the new Stack ID
is applied to the switch that is taking that Stack ID.