cisco 3450 stack images

[Fotiosmark]

Hello,

I was wondering. I have 2 3750 stacked. One of it had an issue with the fan and had to take it out. I ordered a new one but it came with a different image as the one that is working right now.

The new one has c3750-ipbase9-mz and the old htat is Online now has ipservices

Will it work if I stack them with different image?

Thanks

[Jaderson Pessoa]

No, you will have a version mismatch... Update for the same IOS version before stacking.

[Mark Malone]

You can stack with different images once the major and minor numbers match

Read page 12 of the guide below for what to look for , but running same image as previously stated will make things smoother

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/lan/catalyst2960x/software/15-0_2_EX/stack_manager/configuration_guide/b_stck_152ex_2960-x_cg/b_stck_152ex_2960-x_cg_chapter_010.pdf

[Jaderson Pessoa]

[Mark Malone]

Having exact image will just ensure it stacks fully with all features you can still stack different models and versions once the major minor numbers match , the issue is some features available on image may not be available on both , which is why its recommend to use the same image but may not always be possible when stacking different platforms ,

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/lan/catalyst2960x/software/15-0_2_EX/stack_manager/configuration_guide/b_stck_152ex_2960-x_cg/b_stck_152ex_2960-x_cg_chapter_010.html

Stack Protocol Version

Each software image includes a stack protocol version. The stack protocol version has a major version number and a minor version number (for example 1.4, where 1 is the major version number and 4 is the minor version number). Both version numbers determine the level of compatibility among the stack members. You can display the stack protocol version by using the show platform stack manager all privileged EXEC command.

Switches with the same Cisco IOS software version have the same stack protocol version. Such switches are fully compatible, and all features function properly across the switch stack. A switch with the same Cisco IOS software version as the stack master can immediately join the switch stack.

If an incompatibility exists, the fully functional stack members generate a system message that describes the cause of the incompatibility on the specific stack members. The stack master sends the message to all stack members.

• Major Stack Protocol Version Number Incompatibility Among Stack-Capable Switches
• Minor Stack Protocol Version Number Incompatibility Among Stack-Capable Switches
• Auto-Upgrade
• Auto-Advise

Major Stack Protocol Version Number Incompatibility Among Stack-Capable Switches

Switches with different major Cisco IOS software versions usually have different stack protocol versions. Switches with different major version numbers are incompatible and cannot exist in the same switch stack.

Minor Stack Protocol Version Number Incompatibility Among Stack-Capable Switches

Switches with the same major version number but with a different minor version number are considered partially compatible. When connected to a switch stack, a partially compatible switch enters version-mismatch (VM) mode and cannot join the stack as a fully functioning member. The software detects the mismatched software and tries to upgrade (or downgrade) the switch in VM mode with the switch stack image or with a tar file image from the switch stack flash memory. The software uses the automatic upgrade (auto-upgrade) and the automatic advise (auto-advise) features.