Configuration Guide User guide

FastIron Configuration Guide 249
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Connecting ICX 6450 and ICX 6430 devices in a stack
IronStack construction methods
There are three ways to build an IronStack.
1. Use the secure-setup utility to form your stack. Secure-setup gives you control over the design
of your stack topology and provides security through password verification. For the
secure-setup procedure, refer to “Scenario 1 - Three-member IronStack in a ring topology using
secure-setup” on page 250.
2. Automatic stack configuration. With this method, you enter all configuration information,
including the module type and the priorities of all members into the unit you decide will be the
Active Controller and set its priority to be the highest. When you enable stacking on the Active
Controller the stack then forms automatically. This method requires that you start with clean
units (except for the Active Controller) that do not contain startup or run time configurations.
Refer to “Scenario 2 - Three-member IronStack in a ring topology using the automatic setup
process” on page 254.
3. Manual stack configuration. With this method, you configure every unit individually, and enable
stacking on each unit. Once the units are connected together, they will automatically operate
as an IronStack. With this method the unit with the highest priority becomes the Active
Controller, and ID assignment is determined by the sequence in which you physically connect
the units. Refer to “Scenario 3 - Three member IronStack in a ring topology using the manual
configuration process” on page 257.
IronStack configuration notes
Before you configure your IronStack, consider the following guidelines:
• Consider the number of units and how the stacking ports on the units will be connected. For
more information, refer to the Brocade FCX Hardware Installation Guide.
• The stack should be physically cabled in a linear or ring topology. Connect only those units that
will be active in the stack.
• Make sure all units intended for the stack are running the same software version. Refer to
“Confirming IronStack software versions” on page 282.
• When you have a full stack of 8 units, you may need to increase the trap hold time from the
default, which is 60 seconds, to five minutes (300 seconds). This will prevent the loss of initial
boot traps. To increase the trap hold time, use the following command.
Brocade(config)#snmp-server enable traps holddown-time 300
Syntax: [no] snmp-server enable traps holddown-time <seconds>
NOTE
The router image requires more time to boot than the switch image.