Dell Powerconnect 8164f Manual
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Stacking Dell PowerConnect Switches: 8132, 8132F, 8164, 8164F 21 The following figure shows shows the Stack LED that is located on the back panel of every Dell PowerConnect 8100 series switch. Stacking LED for the Dell PowerConnect 8100/8100F series switch Figure 12. 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. Note: Each stack members’ role (including the Master and Standby) can be defined at any time after the initial stack is created. Automatic firmware updates for new members joining the stack For member units to work properly within a stack, they need to have the same firmware as the Master. Perform a manual update of the firmware on a new member to synchronize the firmware prior to cabling it into the stack. Or, another way to accomplish this is to configure the Master switch to use Stack Firmware Synchronization, which automatically upgrades firmware on new members as they join the stack. In the event the new stack member unit being added has a newer firmware version, a downgrade is also allowed. To prevent the downgrade of the new stack member unit’s firmware, the Master needs to be configured with the Allow-Downgrade option. This allows all new member units to synchronize with the Master only if the firmware revision of the new members is older than that of the Master. Use the System > Stack Management > Stack Firmware Synchronization page to view and set these features.
Stacking Dell PowerConnect Switches: 8132, 8132F, 8164, 8164F 22 Caution: 5.0.x.x firmware will not load on a switch with the newer “B1” CPU. It is therefore recommended to upgrade all PowerConnect 8100 switches to the latest firmware. See “Important Firmware Update for PowerConnect 81xx Stacking” at the beginning of this document for more information. Save the configuration to the Startup-Configuration on the System > File Management > Copy Files page.
Stacking Dell PowerConnect Switches: 8132, 8132F, 8164, 8164F
23
Adding new member units to a stack
It is important that all stack member units run the same version of firmware. Make sure to either
upgrade firmware on the new units to be added to match the firmware on the Master, or use the
automatic firmware update method found in section Automatic firmware updates for new members
joining the stack.
Caution: 5.0.x.x firmware will not load on a switch with the newer “B1” CPU. It is
therefore recommended to upgrade all PowerConnect 8100 switches to the latest
firmware. See “Important Firmware Update for PowerConnect 81xx Stacking” at the
beginning of this document for more information.
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.
This example allows adding new members without preconfiguring the existing stack, though the new
members themselves will need to be configured. To preconfigure a stack before connecting the new
stack member, consult the User Guide under Preconfiguring a Stack Member.
Command-line interface method
Run the commands below on the switch to be added using either the console port or a telnet session.
console#show switch stack-ports
Configured Running
Stack Stack Link Link
Interface Mode Mode Status Speed (Gb/s)
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ------------
Te1/0/1 Ethernet Ethernet Link Down Unknown
Te1/0/2 Ethernet Ethernet Link Down Unknown
Te1/0/3 Ethernet Ethernet Link Down Unknown
.
.
.
Te1/0/22 Ethernet Ethernet Link Down Unknown
Te1/0/23 Ethernet Ethernet Link Down Unknown
Te1/0/24 Ethernet Ethernet Link Down Unknown
Fo1/1/1 Ethernet Ethernet Link Down 40
Fo1/1/2 Ethernet Ethernet Link Down 40
Te1/1/1 Ethernet Ethernet Detach 10
Te1/1/2 Ethernet Ethernet Detach 10
Te1/1/3 Ethernet Ethernet Detach 10
Te1/1/4 Ethernet Ethernet Detach 10
Te1/1/5 Ethernet Ethernet Detach 10
Te1/1/6 Ethernet Ethernet Detach 10
Te1/1/7 Ethernet Ethernet Detach 10
Te1/1/8 Ethernet Ethernet Detach 10
Stacking Dell PowerConnect Switches: 8132, 8132F, 8164, 8164F
24
Notice the two 40G QSFP+ ports represented by interfaces F01/1/1 and F01/1/2. These two interfaces
will be used for stacking in the example below, though any of the interfaces listed may be used.
Perform the following commands to convert each desired port to Stack mode.
console#config
console(config)#stack
console(config-stack)#stack-port fortygigabitethernet 1/1/1 stack
console(config-stack)#stack-port fortygigabitethernet 1/1/2 stack
console(config-stack)#show switch stack-ports | include Stack
Stack Stack Link Link
Fo1/1/1 Stack Ethernet Link Down 40
Fo1/1/2 Stack Ethernet Link Down 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.
Management interfaces will not be available during this time.
Are you sure you want to save? (y/n) y
Configuration Saved!
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. daisy-chain topology
If the original stack is cabled in a ring topology where a stacking port on the last switch is connected to
a stacking port on the first switch, the entire stack continues to work correctly through the process of
adding a new switch regardless of where the new switch is cabled within the stack. This is due to the
built-in resiliency of the ring topology that allows all switches to remain in communication with each
other in the event a single link or switch is lost or removed.
When adding a switch to a daisy-chain topology stack, add it to one end of the stack and not in the
middle. Adding to the middle requires breaking the daisy-chained stack which will cause the stack to
split, creating a new Master on the group of switches that lost contact with the original Master. This
Stacking Dell PowerConnect Switches: 8132, 8132F, 8164, 8164F
25
would result in two stacks. Adding a new switch to the either end of the daisy-chain allows all other
members to stay in constant communication and in turn allow the stack to stay intact during the
process.
On a daisy-chain stack:
1. Configure the existing stack with new stack ports to be used to connect to the new switch.
2. Cable the new switch into the existing stack.
3. Power up the new switch. The switch will be added to the stack.
On a ring topology stack:
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. Plug the other end of the new cables of the switch being added into the stack ports that were
unplugged in step 2.
4. Plug the remaining cable ends (removed in step 2) into the remaining stack ports configured on
the new switch unit.
5. Power up the new switch. The switch will be added to the stack.
Allow a few minutes for the new switch to boot up completely.
Validation
After the entire stack is created, it can be validated with the show switch command from the Master
switch:
console#show switch
Management Standby Preconfig Plugged-in Switch Code
SW Status Status Model ID Model ID Status Version
--- ---------- --------- ----------- ----------- -------- -------
1 Mgmt Sw PCT8164F PCT8164F OK 5.0.0.3
2 Stack Mbr Oper Stby PCT8164 PCT8164 OK 5.0.0.3
3 Stack Mbr PCT8132 PCT8132 OK 5.0.0.3
4 Stack Mbr PCT8132F PCT8132F OK 5.0.0.3
The example above shows a new stack member (PCT8132F) was added. The show switch stack-
ports command can also be used to see all of the ports that have been added to the stack as well as
which ones are being used for stacking.
If a switch (SW) number is configured prior to adding it to the stack and there are no other devices
using that number, then the switch continues to use the same number. Otherwise, the switch sets its
number to the lowest unassigned number upon joining the stack.
Stacking Dell PowerConnect Switches: 8132, 8132F, 8164, 8164F
26
Note: Once added to a stack, a switch’s out-of-band IP address and console port are no longer
accessible. Use the IP address and console port of the Master unit for management access,
since the stack now acts as a single large switch.
Repeat the above steps to add more new members to the stack.
Stacking Dell PowerConnect Switches: 8132, 8132F, 8164, 8164F 27 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. If multiple new members are to be added, follow these directions and complete the install of one before going to the next. Complete these steps again for each remaining switch to be added. Caution: 5.0.x.x firmware will not load on a switch with the newer “B1” CPU. It is therefore recommended to upgrade all PowerConnect 8100 switches to the latest firmware. See “Important Firmware Update for PowerConnect 81xx Stacking” at the beginning of this document for more information. Note: The example given below allows the new member to be added without preconfiguring the existing stack, though the new member itself needs to be configured. To preconfigure a stack before connecting the new stack member, consult the User Guide under Preconfiguring a Stack Member. On the new member switch to be added to the stack, select System > Stack Management > Stack Port Summary from the main navigation menu. In this example, two 40G QSFP+ interfaces F01/0/1 and F01/0/2 will be used for stacking, though any of the interfaces shown may be used. In the Edit column, select the check box to allow editing on the ports to be used for stacking. Then use the drop-down menu in the Configured Stack-mode column to put each port in stack mode. The Configured Stack Mode is now Stack, but the Running Stack-mode does not show Stack until the switch is reloaded, as instructed below. Save the configuration to the Startup-Configuration using the System > File Management > Copy Files page.
Stacking Dell PowerConnect Switches: 8132, 8132F, 8164, 8164F 28 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. daisy-chain topology If the original stack is cabled in a ring topology, where a stacking port on the last switch is connected to a stacking port on the first switch, the entire stack continues to work correctly through the process of adding a new switch regardless of where the new switch is cabled within the stack. This is due to the built-in resiliency of the ring topology that allows all switches to remain in communication with each other in the event a single link or switch is lost or removed. When adding a switch to a daisy-chain topology stack, add it to one end of the stack and not in the middle. Adding to the middle requires breaking the daisy-chained stack, which causes the stack to split, creating a new Master on the group of switches that lost contact with the original Master. This would result in two stacks. Adding a new switch to the either end of the daisy-chain allows all other members to stay in constant communication and in turn allow the stack to stay intact during the process. On a daisy-chain stack: 1. Configure the existing stack with new stack ports to be used to connect to the new switch. 2. Cable the new switch into the existing stack. 3. Power up the new switch. The switch will be added to the stack. On a ring topology stack: 1. Plug new cables into half of the stack ports configured on the new switch to be added.
Stacking Dell PowerConnect Switches: 8132, 8132F, 8164, 8164F
29
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. Plug the other end of the new cables of the switch being added into the stack ports that were
unplugged in step 2.
4. Plug the remaining cable ends (removed in step 2) into the remaining stack ports configured on
the new switch unit.
5. Power up the new switch. The switch will be added to the stack.
Allow a few minutes for the new switch to boot up completely.
Validation
After the entire stack is created, validate it with the show switch command from the Master switch:
The example above shows a new stack member (Unit 4) was added.
If a switch (SW) number is configured prior to adding it to the stack and there are no other devices
using that number, then the switch continues to use the same number. Otherwise, the switch sets its
number to the lowest unassigned number upon joining the stack.
Note: Once added to a stack, a switch’s out-of-band IP address and console port are no longer
accessible to the user. Use the IP address and console port of the Master unit for management
access, since the stack now acts as a single large switch.
Repeat the above steps to add more new members to the stack.
Stacking Dell PowerConnect Switches: 8132, 8132F, 8164, 8164F 30 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. Whether downloading a new image to the Master by using the System > File Management > File Download page in the Web UI or the copy command in the CLI, the downloaded image is distributed to all member units of the stack. The instructions below guide the user through these steps. Command-line interface method To find the firmware versions the stack members are using, enter the following. console#show version Image Descriptions active : backup : Images currently available on Flash unit active backup current-active next-active ----- ------------ ------------ ----------------- ----------------- 1 5.0.0.1 4.2.0.0 5.0.0.1 5.0.0.1 2 5.0.0.1 4.2.0.0 5.0.0.1 5.0.0.1 3 5.0.0.1 4.2.0.0 5.0.0.1 5.0.0.1 4 5.0.0.1 4.2.0.0 5.0.0.1 5.0.0.1 Each member of the stack is updated with the latest firmware simply by updating the Master switch. The commands below demonstrate how to copy the firmware file down to the Master using a TFTP server. The stack needs access to the TFTP server on the network and the firmware file needs to be present in the download folder of the TFTP server. Perform the following command from the CLI interface. Press “y” when prompted. console#copy tftp://10.10.1.10/PC8100v5.0.0.3.stk backup Transfer Mode.................................. TFTP Server IP Address.............................. 10.10.1.10 Source File Path............................... ./ Source Filename................................ PC8100v5.0.0.3.stk Data Type...................................... Code Destination Filename........................... backup Management access will be blocked for the duration of the transfer Are you sure you want to start? (y/n) y TFTP code transfer starting 12487236 bytes transferred... File contents are valid. Copying file to flash...