Stacking on Cisco 2960x

[Amit Mahajan]

Hi,

With new Cisco 2960x , i was trying to configure stacking between 4 switches. 

Below is the console output while booting:-

FIPS: Flash Key Check : Begin
FIPS: Flash Key Check : End, Not Found, FIPS Mode Not Enabled

POST: MA BIST : Begin
POST: MA BIST : End, Status Passed

POST: TCAM BIST : Begin
POST: TCAM BIST : End, Status Passed

POST: ACT2 Authentication : Begin
POST: ACT2 Authentication : End, Status Passed
FlexStack Module SmartChip Authentication Failed

extracting front_end/front_end_ucode_info (43 bytes)
 Software version is different so extracting
 the whole bundle

--- Dont know why am i getting "FlexStack Module SmartChip Authentication Failed" i tried reinserting modules, changed stack cables but in vain..

All four switches have the same IOS :- "c2960x-universalk9-mz.150-2.EX5.bin"

Surprisingly I am getting the following error on all the four switches:

"Switch_1#
May 11 12:25:51.879: %ILET-1-DEVICE_AUTHENTICATION_FAIL: The FlexStack Module inserted in this switch may not have been manufactured by Cisco or with Cisco's authorization. If your use of this product is the cause of a support issue, Cisco may deny operation of the product, support under your warranty or under a Cisco technical support program such as Smartnet.  Please contact Cisco's Technical Assistance Center for more information"

Output of "show switch" command :-

Switch_1#sh switch
Switch/Stack Mac Address : 8890.8d14.9e80
                                           H/W   Current
Switch#  Role   Mac Address     Priority Version  State 
----------------------------------------------------------
*1       Master 8890.8d14.9e80     15     4       Ready 

Switch_2#sh switch 
Switch/Stack Mac Address : 8890.8d14.5300
                                           H/W   Current
Switch#  Role   Mac Address     Priority Version  State 
----------------------------------------------------------
*2       Master 8890.8d14.5300     12     4       Ready   

Switch_3#sh switch 
Switch/Stack Mac Address : 8890.8d14.9280
                                           H/W   Current
Switch#  Role   Mac Address     Priority Version  State 
----------------------------------------------------------
*3       Master 8890.8d14.9280     10     4       Ready 

Switch#sh switch 
Switch/Stack Mac Address : 40a6.e827.9c80
                                           H/W   Current
Switch#  Role   Mac Address     Priority Version  State 
----------------------------------------------------------
*4       Master 40a6.e827.9c80     5      4       Ready          

   cant figure our why is this happening .... please help before i upgrade IOS on all the switches...

waiting for your mail...

Thanks in advance,

amit

[will.cullen · Accepted solution]

There is a possibility that you may have hit the following bug, suggest you get a TAC case raised so Cisco can confirm that the bug is the cause.

CSCuu00752

Symptom:Incorrect license was programmed to a limited number of 2960X FlexStack-Plus modules. Cisco PID: C2960X-STACK=. With the wrong license, the FlexStack module cannot pass SmartChip authentication during bootup and thus cannot be recognized/supported by 2960X


When a 2960X is booted up with an affected Flexstack-Plus module, the following error messages could be seen.
Error Message 1:
POST: ACT2 Authentication : Begin
POST: ACT2 Authentication : End, Status Passed FlexStack Module SmartChip Authentication Failed
Error Message 2:
%ILET-1-DEVICE_AUTHENTICATION_FAIL: The FlexStack Module inserted in this switch may not have been manufactured by Cisco or with Cisco's authorization. If your use of this product is the cause of a support issue, Cisco may deny operation of the product, support under your warranty or under a Cisco technical support program such as Smartnet. Please contact Cisco's Technical Assistance Center for more information.

Conditions:Cisco PID: C2960X-STACK=

Workaround:Replace the FlexStack module. Part Number C2960X-STACK=
 

[Leo Laohoo]

I've seen this error message before with 2960S stacking module.  The fix, believe it or not, is to take out the module.  Tap it several times (two or three times) against a flat object/surface and putting it back in.  I'm not saying DESTROY the module.  Tap it gently.  The objective is to jar the internal component.  

Done this several times to fix them and all without the need to RMA anything.

[josef.dusek]

Hi,

I had the same issue.

What helped is upgrade to IOS 15.0.2a.EX5 and hard restart!

There is a bug that describes this issue. Hard restart (power off) is critical step to solve issue, just IOS upgrade will not help.

Josef

.