Catalyst 9300L and 9300LM Stacking

[ckuwajima]

Since both, 9300L and 9300LM uses StackWise-320, is mixed stacking of 9300L and 9300LM switches supported?

[M02@rt37]

Hello @ckuwajima,

The C9300 stacking rules:

-Up to 8 Switches can be stacked together using back stacking cables

-All 9300 models are supported in the stack

-All the switches in the stack should run the same IOS and License

And you're right, stackwise-320 for these models!

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/switches/catalyst-9300-series-switches/datasheet-c78-738977.html

[ckuwajima · Accepted solution]

Documentation is clear to state that 9300 and 9300L cannot be mixed, and that any 9300L switch model can be put together in a single stack.

But it is not clear whether 9300L and 9300LM can be stacked together. My intention is to stack a 9300LM in a 9300L stack, since there is no 9300L model with 25G uplinks.

[ckuwajima · Accepted solution]

Never mind, found this document which states that 9300L and 9300LM can be mixed:

https://community.cisco.com/t5/networking-blogs/introducing-catalyst-9300lm-ibn-innovations-in-shallow-form/ba-p/4724746

[M02@rt37]

Thanks for that sharing.

[ckuwajima]

I would like to warn everyone that the C9300L-STACK-KIT2 used by C9300LM uses a cable that is incompatible with C9300L-STACK-KIT which is offered to C9300L switches.

Therefore, it is not possible to simply add a C9300LM into an existing C9300L stack of switches.

TAC told me that it would be necessary to replace all the stack kits of the existing C9300L switches in the stack with C9300L-STACK-KIT2.

[Giuseppe Larosa]

Hello @ckuwajima ,

I'm sorry to read that Cat9200LM have a different stack cable and kit when the speed is the same of Cat9200L.

have you asked the Cisco TAC if there are technical reasons for the stack cable change ?

Hope to help

Giuseppe

[ckuwajima]

@Giuseppe Larosa , TAC excused themselves from giving the technical reasons.

 It must be a very good and an unavoidable reason because Cisco put existing 9300L customers in a very difficult situation.

[ts-stg]

Just to highlight the difference between

C9300L-STACK-KIT, uses cable STACK-T3-... with push tab / sheet metal hooks, the included adapters accept only thoose cables with sheet metal hooks

An C9300L-STACK-KIT2 uses cable STACK-T3A-... with thumb screws, the included adapters accept only thoose cables with screws.

Both are single core cables whereas the C9300- and C9300x- use the three core screw on STACK-T1-... cables