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Building a SummitStack Configuration
Summit Family Switches Hardware Installation Guide
100
Placing Summit Family Switches for Stacked Operation
This section summarizes the recommended best practices for installing Summit switches for a
SummitStack configuration. For detailed information about how to configure and manage the stack and
how a stack operates, refer to the ExtremeXOS Concepts Guide.
When you install switches for a SummitStack configuration, follow these recommendations:
● Use the shortest possible stacking cables to connect the switches in the stack; this reduces the
likelihood that the stacking cables might be accidentally damaged or disconnected. Stacking cables
are available in lengths from 0.3 meters to 5 meters (see Table 19).
● When possible, place all switches for the stack in the same rack or in adjacent racks; this facilitates
using shorter stacking cables.
● The stack master is the switch through which you will perform the initial stack configuration, using
the console port. For simplicity and ease of connecting the stacking cables, plan to designate the top
switch in a vertical physical stack as the stack master. If switches are installed in several adjacent
racks, place the stack master at one end of the row.
● Physically locate the intended master and backup nodes adjacent to each other, and connect these
switches directly to each other.
● For easier software configuration of the stack, connect the stacking cables in the order and
arrangement shown in the tables that accompany the examples.
● On the stack master switch, connect the Ethernet management port to your management network.
● To provide management access to the stack in case of a failure in the master switch, connect all
switches that will participate in redundancy to your management network using the Ethernet
management port on each switch.
● Because of the weight of the cable, Extreme Networks strongly recommends the use of cable
management hardware to support the cables and provide strain relief at the connectors when you
use the SummitStack 128G cable, SummitStack 64G cable, or SummitStack 128G/64G cable (see
“Connecting Stacking Cables” on page 108).
17038 900619-10 SummitStack 64G/20G,
1.0 meter
64-Gbps ports on VIM2-SummitStack128 modules
in Summit X480 series switches
and
• 40-Gbps fixed stacking ports on Summit X250e,
X450, X450a, X450e series switches
• 40-Gbps stacking ports on VIM1-SummitStack or
VIM1-10G8X modules in Summit X650 series
switches
• 40-Gbps stacking ports on VIM2-SummitStack
modules in Summit X480 series switches
NOTE: Additional types of stacking cables may have been released since this guide was published. Contact your
Extreme Networks sales representative for the most recent information about available cables.
Table 19: Available Stacking Cables (Continued)
Model
Number
Manufacturing
Part Number
Cable Type, Length Compatible Ports and Devices