Adding a 3750X to a 3750V2 stack

[gp1200x]

I have a large stack of all 3750V2 switches running ipbase code. There is no option for the universal code on these models in the download section, The 3750V2s do not support ipservices and they are only ipbase. The 3750X is also ipbase but has the universal code on it. I will change it and install the ipbase code first before joining it to the stack. My question is this.....even though the 3750V2s and the 3750X unit will all have ipbase code with web mgr and have the same code level, the code loads are not the same name. The 3750V2 model is c3750-ipbasek9-tarxxxx   versus the 3750X code of c3750e-ipbasek9-tarxxxx.

I am pretty sure it will work in the same stack since the stack version major/minor are the same. But how does the software code update work now?  Lets say I want to update the stack using the command lines such as    "archive download-sw /overwrite  etc......"    I would have one version for the 3750v2 and one version for the 3750X model. How does the switch stack load the code correctly or do I now manually have to load every switch position with the appropriate code it needs?   Same scenario for using the GUI to update the code. How does this work now that there are two code loads in the stack. Do I load each one at a time -- or is this no longer an option with mixed code loads?  I don't want to waste hours trying the scenarios to figure this out but I haven't anything that clearly explained the process in this mixed environment.

[Joseph W. Doherty · Accepted solution]

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Posting

I believe you didn't need to migrate from universal to IPBase image on the -X.  As long as the IOSs versions are the same (actually really more so the stack software versions, you mention), it should work.  Feature sets don't need to match.  However, if your -X was only licensed for IPBase, using the IPBase image saves a bit on IOS footprint.

It's been a long while since I dealt with mix series 3750 stacks, but I recall, yes you no longer use the archive commands to upgrade the whole stack.  You can copy images to each stack member.  I didn't bother with the web support versions, I just used the .bin images.

You do need to remember, when not using the archive command, to update the boot var.

Somewhere buried in Cisco's documentation, you should find information for upgrading "mixed" stacks.  (Unfortunately, I too would need to search for such, better to leave it as a "student exercise".)

It's been too long, so I don't recall whether mix stacks support autoload, but again, I used to insure every stack member had its own correct IOS image.  Fortunately, you often didn't need to upgrade these units too often, which should be especially true now.

Personally I recommend against mixing StackWise and StackWisePlus units in the same stack, not only to avoid the maintenance hassle, but because when you mix the two series, you negate many of the improvements found in StackWisePlus.  Of course, sometimes, you really want just one stack, and so, you mix them.

[gp1200x]

Thanks

I normally never mix stacks and like to be able to use the GUI or command lines to update my stacks...and we have a lot. The problem with this stack is that it only supports 200 phones and they added a few more but there is phsycally no more room to add another 24 port switch...so I need to buy a refurbished 48 3750V2 or use a 3750X-48PS that we have in stock. Neither solution is what I want but thanks for confirming that this stack would probably be a PITA for upgrades for the people that come after me if I stick a 3750X in it.