How to Form a Catalyst 3850 Data-Stack and Power-Stack

[jap66]

Can you help me if i can stack ( WS-C3850-48P-S ) with ( WS-C3850-12X48U-S )

[balaji.bandi · Accepted solution]

StackWise-480 supports a mixed stack of any Catalyst 3850 models (48 ports 10/100/1000, 24 ports 10/100/1000, and 12/24 Ethernet SFP ports; see Figure 1). You can mix the switches with different number of access ports (48, 24, and 12), different type of access ports (copper and fiber, PoE, and non-PoE-capable), and different network modules. But all switches in one stack must have the same version of IOS XE and the same feature set license. A mixed stack of LAN base switches with IP base or IP services is not supported. Catalyst 3850 Series Switches with a LAN base feature set can only stack with other Catalyst 3850 Series LAN base switches. The same applies to IP base and IP services as well.

Check the below guide : 

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/switches/catalyst-3850-series-switches/white-paper-c11-734429.html#_Toc417362558

BB

[jap66 · Accepted solution]

The reason I ask the question I am having problems with VoIP Phone running SIP on the WS-C3850-12X48U-S running 16.06.04.

[andresfr · Accepted solution]

Hello jpetersen66,

You can stack Catalyst 3850 multi-Gigabit switches (like the WS-C3850-12X48U-S switch) with Catalyst 3850 legacy switches (like the WS-C3850-48P-S switch).

However, one important consideration to keep in mind is that both models should be running the same software version and the same license level so they can form the stack without facing software/license mismatch issues that will prevent you from achieving this goal. Since Catalyst 3850 multi-Gigabit switches only support 3.7.x (not recommended because of EoL/EoS) and 16.x code, that would mean that you will also have to run 16.x code on the Catalyst 3850 legacy switch and you’ll not be able to run 3.6.x code since this one is not supported on Catalyst 3850 multi-Gigabit switches.

Also, if you refer to the Catalyst 3850 FAQ you will find the following:
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/switches/catalyst-3850-series-switches/qa_c67-722110.html

Q. How many Cisco Catalyst 3850 switches can stack into a single logical entity?
A. Up to 9 Cisco Catalyst 3850 switches can be stacked together to build single logical StackWise-480 switch since Cisco IOS XE Release 3.3.0SE. Prior to Cisco IOS XE Release 3.3.0SE, up to 4 Cisco Catalyst 3850 switches could be stacked together.
If you have 3850-XU (multigigabit) switches or Cisco Catalyst 3850-XS (10G SFP+) switches in the stack, then up to 8 switches can be stacked together to build a single logical StackWise-480 switch.

Catalyst 3850 stacks are limited to support up to 32 ASICs, so when having a mixed stack, you cannot exceed that same limit. (Normally, multi-Gigabit switches do have 4 ASICs in them) .


Please check the following documentation for guidelines regarding Data Stack Cabling and StackPower Cabling:


Data Stack Cabling Configurations

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/lan/catalyst3850/hardware/installation/guide/b_c3850_hig/b_c3850_hig_chapter_010.html#concept_731340C54C5C4974B300779F6D2728B6



StackPower Cabling Configurations
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/lan/catalyst3850/hardware/installation/guide/b_c3850_hig/b_c3850_hig_chapter_010.html#reference_7F5B76985FD4489EB3DFEF7F392E174A

I hope you find this information useful.

Regards,