Stacking Dell PowerConnect 8100 Series Switches: 8132, 8132F, 8164, 8164F Victor Teeter Network Enabled Solutions Team
Stacking Dell PowerConnect 8100 Series Switches: 8132, 8132F, 8164, 8164F This document is for informational purposes only and may contain typographical errors and technical inaccuracies. The content is provided as is, without express or implied warranties of any kind. © 2012 Dell Inc. All rights reserved. Dell and its affiliates cannot be responsible for errors or omissions in typography or photography. Dell, the Dell logo, and PowerEdge are trademarks of Dell Inc.
Stacking Dell PowerConnect 8100 Series Switches: 8132, 8132F, 8164, 8164F Contents Introduction ............................................................................................... 4 Stacking and management ........................................................................................... 5 Simplified firmware updates for stack members................................................................. 5 Stacking and redundancy ..............................................................
Stacking Dell PowerConnect 8100 Series Switches: 8132, 8132F, 8164, 8164F Introduction Most Dell PowerConnect switches today include a stacking feature that allows multiple switches to operate as a single unit.
Stacking Dell PowerConnect 8100 Series Switches: 8132, 8132F, 8164, 8164F Stacking and management An important advantage of stacking is that it provides a consolidated interface for management of multiple switches that are linked together. One switch acts as the Master, and the entire stack is managed through the management interface (Web, CLI, or SNMP) of the stack Master.
Stacking Dell PowerConnect 8100 Series Switches: 8132, 8132F, 8164, 8164F copies of the stack configuration for the user’s knowledge. The actual stack information used by the switch is not that which is stored in the startup configuration. A stack member configuration is always present on stacking capable switches, so there always is a line in the configuration that says stack and a second line that says member even if there are no devices stacked.
Stacking Dell PowerConnect 8100 Series Switches: 8132, 8132F, 8164, 8164F 3. A unit is selected as standby by the administrator, and a fail over action is manually initiated or occurs due to a Master unit failure. Note: The terms Master and Manager/Management Unit are often used interchangeably in regards to stacking. In most cases, a switch that is added to an existing stack becomes a stack member, and not the Management Unit.
Stacking Dell PowerConnect 8100 Series Switches: 8132, 8132F, 8164, 8164F Note that in this example Switch 1 is the Master (Mgmt Sw) and Switch 2 is the Standby (Oper Stby) ready to take over as Master in the event the Master fails. To find the same information from the Web UI go to System > Stack Management > Stack Summary. How to select a Master during initial stack setup After creating a stack it is easy to go into the settings on the Master and select any of the members to take its place as Master.
Stacking Dell PowerConnect 8100 Series Switches: 8132, 8132F, 8164, 8164F Stacking scenarios The following sections present examples in a variety of areas concerning stacking the Dell PowerConnect 8100 switches and provides step-by-step guidance using the CLI and Web UI, with screen shots as a visual guide. Consult the table of contents above for a list of examples covered in this document. Each scenario in this document assumes that all Dell PowerConnect devices are using the same firmware revision.
Stacking Dell PowerConnect 8100 Series Switches: 8132, 8132F, 8164, 8164F Figure 5. 10Gbase-T four-port expansion module for the Dell PowerConnect 81xx and 81xxF LNK ACT 10GBASE-T MODULE Figure 6. 40G QSFP+ two-port expansion module for the Dell PowerConnect 81xx and 81xxF LNK ACT Figure 7.
Stacking Dell PowerConnect 8100 Series Switches: 8132, 8132F, 8164, 8164F Stacking Dell PowerConnect 8100 series switches using 40G and 10G stack links Figure 8.
Stacking Dell PowerConnect 8100 Series Switches: 8132, 8132F, 8164, 8164F Stacking Dell PowerConnect 8100/8100F series switches using multiple stack links Figure 9.
Stacking Dell PowerConnect 8100 Series Switches: 8132, 8132F, 8164, 8164F Command-line interface method Make sure all switches are at the same firmware version prior to configuring the stack, or use the Stack Firmware Synchronization (boot auto-copy-fw) feature to synchronize all firmware during the stack setup process to that of the Master. The boot auto-copy-fw command is explained below in this example. Connect power to all switches to be stacked.
Stacking Dell PowerConnect 8100 Series Switches: 8132, 8132F, 8164, 8164F Configured Stack Interface Mode ---------- ---------Te1/0/1 Ethernet Te1/0/2 Ethernet Te1/0/3 Ethernet Running Stack Mode ---------Ethernet Ethernet Ethernet Link Status ---------Link Down Link Down Link Down Link Speed (Gb/s) -----------Unknown Unknown Unknown Ethernet Ethernet Ethernet Ethernet Link Link Link Link Unknown Unknown 40 40 . . .
Stacking Dell PowerConnect 8100 Series Switches: 8132, 8132F, 8164, 8164F console#show switch SW --1 2 3 Management Status ---------Mgmt Sw Stack Mbr Stack Mbr Standby Preconfig Status Model ID --------- ----------PCT8164F Oper Stby PCT8164 PCT8132 Plugged-in Model ID ----------PCT8164F PCT8164 PCT8132 Switch Status -------OK OK OK Code Version ------5.0.0.3 5.0.0.3 5.0.0.
Stacking Dell PowerConnect 8100 Series Switches: 8132, 8132F, 8164, 8164F After login, the first screen to appear is the Home screen, which shows the current stacking member number. Before stacking, the single member has the Stack number of 1 (one). The example above shows a Dell PowerConnect 8132F with a QSFP+ two-port expansion module installed in Slot 1. The two 40G QSFP+ ports are interfaces F01/1/1 and F01/1/2. We will use these two interfaces for stacking in the example below.
Stacking Dell PowerConnect 8100 Series Switches: 8132, 8132F, 8164, 8164F Selecting the Edit check box activates the drop-down menu in the Configured Stack-mode column. Use this menu to change port modes from Ethernet to Stack. Clicking Apply at the bottom of the screen with set the Configured Stack Mode to Stack, but the Running Stack Mode remains Ethernet until the switch is reloaded as instructed below.
Stacking Dell PowerConnect 8100 Series Switches: 8132, 8132F, 8164, 8164F Perform the same steps for the remaining switches. Don’t forget to configure stacking ports on the last and first switch to create a ring topology if desired. Once every switch has been configured, remove power from all switches. While powered off, cable all of the switches together using the stack ports that were configured.
Stacking Dell PowerConnect 8100 Series Switches: 8132, 8132F, 8164, 8164F The following figure shows shows the Stack LED that is located on the back panel of every Dell PowerConnect 8100 series switch. Figure 12. Stacking LED for the Dell PowerConnect 8100/8100F series switch When the switch is the Master of a stack, the LED glows solid blue. If it is a stack member only, it glows solid amber. When in stand-alone mode, the LED is off.
Stacking Dell PowerConnect 8100 Series Switches: 8132, 8132F, 8164, 8164F Save the configuration to the Startup-Configuration on the System > File Management > Copy Files page. Adding new member units to a stack It is important that all stack member units run the same version of firmware.
Stacking Dell PowerConnect 8100 Series Switches: 8132, 8132F, 8164, 8164F The example below shows how to add a stack member to an existing stack. Before cabling a new switch into the stack, perform the commands below to setup the switch ports to be stacked. Once configured, continue to follow the instructions for cabling to complete the task. If multiple new members are to be added, complete the installation of one switch before going to the next. Complete these steps again for each switch to be added.
Stacking Dell PowerConnect 8100 Series Switches: 8132, 8132F, 8164, 8164F Fo1/1/1 Fo1/1/2 Stack Stack Stack Stack Ethernet Ethernet Link Link Down Link Down Link 40 40 The Configured Stack Mode is now Stack, but the Running Stack Mode is still Ethernet. The Running Mode changes to Stack upon reloading the switch, as instructed below. Save the configuration to the Startup-Configuration. console#copy running-config startup-config This operation may take a few minutes.
Stacking Dell PowerConnect 8100 Series Switches: 8132, 8132F, 8164, 8164F 2. Unplug the stacking cables from any existing member going to another existing member in the stack. Only unplug the cables from one end, leaving them plugged into the other member. Note: Only half of the stack cables in this member will be unplugged. The cables going in the other direction to a third existing member will not be removed. 3.
Stacking Dell PowerConnect 8100 Series Switches: 8132, 8132F, 8164, 8164F Web interface method The example below shows how to add a stack member to an existing stack using the Web user interface. Before cabling an additional member to a stack, perform the steps below to setup the switch to join the stack. Once configured, continue to follow the instructions for cabling to complete the task. This works best when adding one stack member at a time.
Stacking Dell PowerConnect 8100 Series Switches: 8132, 8132F, 8164, 8164F After saving the configuration, remove power from the switch. Note: Hot insertion of units into the stack is not supported. Do not connect a new member to the stack while the new unit is powered up. Follow the steps in the following section to properly add the stacking cables and complete the process. Ring vs.
Stacking Dell PowerConnect 8100 Series Switches: 8132, 8132F, 8164, 8164F 1. Plug new cables into half of the stack ports configured on the new switch to be added. 2. Unplug the stacking cables from any existing member going to another existing member in the stack. Only unplug the cables from one end, leaving them plugged into the other member. Note: Only half of the stack cables in this member will be unplugged. The cables going in the other direction to a third existing member will not be removed. 3.
Stacking Dell PowerConnect 8100 Series Switches: 8132, 8132F, 8164, 8164F Updating firmware on a stack Note: Make sure to check the Release Notes and any special instructions that may have come with new firmware updates. It is important to follow instructions found in those documents if they deviate from this white paper. Steps for upgrading the firmware on a stack of switches are similar to upgrading the firmware on a single switch.
Stacking Dell PowerConnect 8100 Series Switches: 8132, 8132F, 8164, 8164F Attempting to send the STK file to other units in the stack… File transfer operation completed successfully. Note: This procedure may take a few minutes longer than updating a single, non-stacked switch. Perform another show version command to see the new firmware has been downloaded to all members of the stack. Notice the firmware was only copied into the backup image for each member.
Stacking Dell PowerConnect 8100 Series Switches: 8132, 8132F, 8164, 8164F console#reload Are you sure you want to reload the stack? (y/n) y Connection to host lost. The “Connection to host lost” message appears only if performing the reload from a telnet session. It will not appear if performing the command from a console session. Updating and rebooting the stack takes a few minutes longer than a single switch. After reload, the firmware upgrade is complete.
Stacking Dell PowerConnect 8100 Series Switches: 8132, 8132F, 8164, 8164F To find the firmware versions the stack members are using, go to System > File Management > Active Images. Each member of the stack will be updated with the latest firmware simply by updating the Master switch. The screenshot below demonstrate how to copy the firmware to the Master using a TFTP server.
Stacking Dell PowerConnect 8100 Series Switches: 8132, 8132F, 8164, 8164F Click Apply. A warning will appear. Click OK. Note: Be patient as this procedure may take several minutes longer than updating a single, non-stacked switch. The following screen appears for several minutes while the firmware is being downloaded to the Master and distributed to all members of the stack.
Stacking Dell PowerConnect 8100 Series Switches: 8132, 8132F, 8164, 8164F Once the file has been distributed to the entire stack, the following dialog box appears. Click Close. Go back to the Active Images screen to confirm that the new firmware was downloaded to all members of the stack. Notice the firmware was only copied into the backup image for each member.
Stacking Dell PowerConnect 8100 Series Switches: 8132, 8132F, 8164, 8164F The next step is to activate the image that contains the new firmware using the drop-down menus in the Next Active Image column. In this example the backup image is selected for each unit. After selecting backup for each unit, click Apply. Go to the System > General > Reset page to reload the switch.
Stacking Dell PowerConnect 8100 Series Switches: 8132, 8132F, 8164, 8164F Click Apply to reload all switches in the stack. If the following screen appears, click OK. Click OK again if this screen appears. If either of the following screens appear, they are simply notifying the user that the network has been lost. This is only temporarily while the stack reloads.
Stacking Dell PowerConnect 8100 Series Switches: 8132, 8132F, 8164, 8164F Click OK if prompted with the above screen. Rebooting the stack may take a few minutes longer than a single switch. After reload, the firmware upgrade is complete. To validate each switch, login again to the Web UI of the stack Master, and then go to System > File Management > Active Images. Notice that as the backup versions become active, the previous active versions now become the backup.
Stacking Dell PowerConnect 8100 Series Switches: 8132, 8132F, 8164, 8164F Command-line interface method Since any interface on these switches can be used for stacking, make sure to verify exactly which ports are being used for stacking so they are un-cabled and re-routed last. This information is found with the following command.
Stacking Dell PowerConnect 8100 Series Switches: 8132, 8132F, 8164, 8164F LAGs, VLANs, STP, ACLs, security, and so on, that needs to be configured on the new ports to accept cables, establish links, and begin to forward traffic. Note: It is highly recommended not to continue until these things have been considered and proper preparations are made. Note: Do not remove or re-route stacking cables until prompted in the last step below. Do not remove or re-route stacking cables until prompted.
Stacking Dell PowerConnect 8100 Series Switches: 8132, 8132F, 8164, 8164F Removal of a stack unit Figure 14.
Stacking Dell PowerConnect 8100 Series Switches: 8132, 8132F, 8164, 8164F Removing units from the stack configuration Once a unit has been physically removed, it may be desired to remove it from the configuration as well, if there are no plans on restoring it later. For the above example Unit 5 wasremoved; however, the show switch command continues to show the removed switch in the configuration.
Stacking Dell PowerConnect 8100 Series Switches: 8132, 8132F, 8164, 8164F Type the switch renumber command to change the number of the switch. console(config)#switch 4 The switch will be reset and the configuration of Are you sure you want to renumber 3 to perform unit renumbering switch interfaces will be cleared. renumber? (y/n)y Allow a few minutes for the switch to renumber, then enter the following.
Stacking Dell PowerConnect 8100 Series Switches: 8132, 8132F, 8164, 8164F Web interface method Since any interface on the 8100 series switches can be used for stacking, make sure to verify exactly which ports are being used for stacking so they are un-cabled and re-routed last, after the normal traffic-passing cables have been re-routed. This information is found at System > Stack Management > Stack Port Summary.
Stacking Dell PowerConnect 8100 Series Switches: 8132, 8132F, 8164, 8164F Consider all LAGs, VLANs, STP, ACLs, security, and so on, that needs to be configured on the new ports in order to accept cables, establish links, and begin to forward traffic. Note: It is highly recommended not to continue until these things have been considered and proper preparations are made. Note: Do not remove or re-route stacking cables until prompted in the last step below.
Stacking Dell PowerConnect 8100 Series Switches: 8132, 8132F, 8164, 8164F Removal of a stack unit Figure 16.
Stacking Dell PowerConnect 8100 Series Switches: 8132, 8132F, 8164, 8164F Removing units from the stack configuration Once a unit has been physically removed, it may be desired to remove it from the configuration as well, if there are no plans on restoring it later. For the above example Unit 5 was removed; however, the Stack Summary screen continues to show the removed switch in the configuration. To remove the switch from the configuration, go to the System > Stack Management > Unit Configuration screen.
Stacking Dell PowerConnect 8100 Series Switches: 8132, 8132F, 8164, 8164F Caution: Renumbering stack units may hinder management scripts and monitoring software that collect data based on particular port traffic. Use renumbering with caution when monitoring ports and be aware that scripts and monitoring parameters may need to be modified. In this example there are three stack members numbered 1, 3, and 4. It may be desired to move 3 to 2, and then 4 to 3.
Stacking Dell PowerConnect 8100 Series Switches: 8132, 8132F, 8164, 8164F Click OK on the next screen. Allow a few minutes for the switch to renumber, then verify the new ID from the System > Stack Management > Stack Summary screen. The switch that was Unit #4 is now Unit #2 and Unit #4 is no longer present. To remove it from the list, select it on the System > Stack Management > Unit Configuration screen, and then select the Remove Switch check box at the bottom.
Stacking Dell PowerConnect 8100 Series Switches: 8132, 8132F, 8164, 8164F Clicking Apply deletes the removed switch from the stack configuration on the running-configuration. Go back to the Stack Summary screen to verify the switch was removed. A backup of the configuration (copying the running-configuration to the startup-configuration) in System > File Management > Copy Files is required to make the change persist after a reload.
Stacking Dell PowerConnect 8100 Series Switches: 8132, 8132F, 8164, 8164F Managing the standby unit If the Master unit fails or is taken offline, a Standby unit automatically takes place as Master. During this time there is no more than a 50 ms interruption in unicast connectivity. The commands below are used to manage your Standy unit. Command-line interface method To find out which unit is currently in Standby status, run the show switch command.
Stacking Dell PowerConnect 8100 Series Switches: 8132, 8132F, 8164, 8164F Would you like to save them now? (y/n) y Configuration Saved! Management unit will be reloaded. Are you sure you want to failover to the backup unit? (y/n) y If using the CLI through the console port, the session will no longer be valid. The console port on the new Master switch will now be activated for management. The IP and MAC addresses of the stack will remain the same with the new Master.
Stacking Dell PowerConnect 8100 Series Switches: 8132, 8132F, 8164, 8164F Select the Switch ID to be assigned as the Standby. Use the Unit Type drop-down menu and select Configured Standby. Note: Assigning the current Stack Master to the Standby role is not allowed using this method and results in an error. Instead, use the initiate failover method described in the next section. Click Apply. Copying the running-configuration to the startup-configuration is not required.
Stacking Dell PowerConnect 8100 Series Switches: 8132, 8132F, 8164, 8164F If there is a need to change the role of the Master or make the Standby the Master, use the initiate failover command from the Command Line Interface. This command results in a warm restart of the stack Master, triggering the Standby unit to take over as a new Master switch. console(config)#stack console(config-stack)#initiate failover The system has unsaved changes.
Stacking Dell PowerConnect 8100 Series Switches: 8132, 8132F, 8164, 8164F Appendix A – Commands used in this document All CLI commands used in this document, along with a brief description, are listed below in order of appearance. Some commands are used multiple times in the document.
