SDA stackwise support

[Kanan Huseynli]

Hi team,

does SDA support stackwise? For example, if I want to use several 9300 switches at access layer (SDA edge) can I mix them and use as single logical switch (as in traditional network)?

[Karthik Kumar Thatikonda · Accepted solution]

Yes, it is supported. SD-Access supports stackwise-480. You can use stack-ports on the back and cable them up to represent one logical switch. Moreover, we also can support LAN Automation to automate underlay configuration for stacks deployed in SD-Access. Please, refer to below link for additional info.

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/cloud-systems-management/network-automation-and-management/dna-center/tech_notes/b_dnac_sda_lan_automation_deployment.html

[Scott Hodgdon · Accepted solution]

Kanan,

Yes, we support StackWise with 9300 acting in any fabric role in which 9300 is supported. Please reference the latest SD-Access Compatibility Matrix for supported software versions for various platforms / roles: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/solutions/enterprise-networks/software-defined-access/compatibility-matrix.html .

Cheers,

Scott Hodgdon

Senior Technical Marketing Engineer

Enterprise Networking Group

[tudor bucenica]

Hi Scott,

Could you please let me know if SDA supports StackWise with 9500? and in case the answer is yes, what would be the license needed?

Thank you!

Tudor

[Scott Hodgdon]

Tudor,

Starting with DNA Center 1.3.3.x, we support Catalyst 9500 with StackWise Virtual as a Border or Edge. See Table 7 at https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/cloud-systems-management/network-automation-and-management/dna-center/1-3-3-0/release_notes/b_cisco_dna_center_rn_1_3_3_0.html#concept_rqr_rsk_d3b .

As with all SD-Access licensing, it must be Advantage.

Cheers,

Scott Hodgdon

Senior Technical Marketing Engineer

Enterprise Networking Group

[tudor bucenica]

Thank you Scott!

Regards
Tudor

[owalter]

Hello Scott,

What about SDA support for Catalyst 9200 stacks (Stackwise 160/80).

Is this supported in SDA as Edge device or will it be supported?

Cheers

Oliver

[hafeezali]

Yes 9200 (StackWise-160) which is a modular model and 9200L (StackWise-80) a fixed model, both are supported model for SDA. However, you cannot stack fixed with modular type. Also should have same SKUs.

But remember, for SDA solution in enterprise it is recommended to use 9300 series switches as edge nodes or atleast to have C9200 Enhanced SKUs due to limitation of configuring number of VNs. 

The Fixed model (C9200L SKUs) support only 1VN and Modular model (C9200 SKUs) can support upto 4VNs.

However, the C9200 Enhanced VN SKUs can support higher numbers upto 32 VNs.

Regards

[mingjuwu]

One point may be ignored for C9200.

this limitation happens to C92 box and C92 stacks

1 Catalyst 9200 standalone and stack can support 25 Access Tunnels (for fabric enabled APs). Note: Over the top fabric deployments eventually migrating to fabric wireless architecture should consider this limit during design/deployment

Have Fun

[fatalXerror]

Hi @mingjuwu,

Stacking the Catalyst switches will provide redundancy/resiliency in the underlay but how about on the overlay? Will the DNAC treat the Stacked Catalyst switch as two devices or just one? Would it be better not to do stacking so that DNAC can treat it as two devices which still achieve redundancy?

For example, for Border Node, the two separate border node (non-stacked) will still have identical databases because of the DNAC right? thanks

[andy!doesnt!like!uucp]

1. DNAC treats stack as single switch with corresponding number of S/Ns in inventory
2. as u referred to BN as example to non-stacked approach, consider cases with L2-handoff BN & FIAB w/ eWLC. w/o stacking implementing redundancy will be a bit tricky & in the last case i'm not sure it would be even possible .
for the FE switches only availability of extra ports, fiber & SFP is a matter to choose either stacking or non-stacking