Configuration Guide User guide

236 FastIron Configuration Guide
53-1002494-02
Brocade IronStack overview
Brocade IronStack overview
This section gives a brief overview of IronStack technology, including IronStack terminology. This
section also lists the FastIron models that support stacking.
Brocade IronStack features
A stack is a group of devices that are connected so that they operate as a single chassis. Brocade
IronStack technology features include:
• Management by a single IP address
• Support for up to eight units per stack. ICX 6430 supports only up to four units in the stack
• Flexible stacking ports
• Linear and ring stack topology support
• Secure-setup utility to make stack setup easy and secure
• Active Controller, Standby Controller, and member units in a stack
• Active Controller management of entire stack
• Active Controller download of software images to all stack units
• Standby Controller for stack redundancy
• Active Controller maintenance of information database for all stack units
• Packet switching in hardware between ports on stack units
• All protocols operate on an IronStack in the same way as on a chassis system
Brocade stackable models
FCX devices
All FCX devices can be active members of a Brocade IronStack. FCX-E and FCX-I models require an
optional 10 Gbps SFP+ module to support stacking. For information about how to install FCX
devices, refer to the Brocade FastIron CX Hardware Installation Guide.
All FCX devices can be ordered from the factory as -ADV models with support for Layer 3 BGP.
ICX devices
All ICX 6610, ICX 6430, and ICX 6450 devices can be active members of a Brocade IronStack. For
information about how to install ICX 6610 devices, refer to the Brocade ICX 6610 Series Hardware
Installation Guide. For information about how to install ICX 6430 and ICX 6450 devices, refer to
the Brocade ICX 6450 and ICX 6430 Hardware Installation Guide.
ICX devices also support trunked ports. For ICX 6610 devices, refer to“ICX 6610 stack topologies”
on page 242 for details. For ICX 6450 and ICX 6430 devices, refer to “Connecting ICX 6450 and
ICX 6430 devices in a stack” on page 244.
All ICX 6610 devices can be ordered from the factory as -ADV models with support for Layer 3 BGP.