Ip services image for 3750G stack

[Phil Bradley]

Hello. I currently have a stack of 3750G switches that have the IP base image. I have a scenario where I need to implement policy based routing which requires the ip services or EMI image. My question is do all switches in the stack need the same image (purchase EMI image for all switches)?

Also, I need to add another switch to my 3750G stack and currently it looks like the 3750X is the replacement switch. I assume this can be stacked with the 3750G switches? 

[paul driver]

Hello

have a scenario where I need to implement policy based routing which requires the ip services or EMI image. My question is do all switches in the stack need the same image (purchase EMI image for all switches)?  - yes they do to stackable

Also, I need to add another switch to my 3750G stack and currently it looks like the 3750X is the replacement switch. I assume this can be stacked with the 3750G switches?  - Never done it but I am saying yes assuming the switches should require the same IOS and feature set

res

Paul

[Leo Laohoo]

My question is do all switches in the stack need the same image (purchase EMI image for all switches)?

All switch members of the same stack must be running the same IOS and have the same feature set, example IP Services. 

Also, I need to add another switch to my 3750G stack and currently it looks like the 3750X is the replacement switch. I assume this can be stacked with the 3750G switches? 

3750X can stack with 3750G provided the 3750X can load the same IOS version and feature set as the rest of the stack. 

I would recommend you use IOS version 12.2(55)SE9 for your stack and your new 3750X.

[Phil Bradley]

Thanks for the replies. Do you know if mixing feature sets has changed recently? I found this post that states mixing feature sets is supported across a stack: https://supportforums.cisco.com/discussion/10040926/3750-mixing-emi-and-smi-stack

The only recommendation is that you upgrade at least two members in the stack to the EMI version for redundancy. According to this site the EMI version will always get elected stack master as long as you have the same priority for all switches. Thanks.

[Leo Laohoo]

Do you know if mixing feature sets has changed recently?

A lot of people mix 3750/G/E/X.  Not everyone has endless supply of cash and upgrade every switch in a stack.  

The only recommendation is that you upgrade at least two members in the stack to the EMI version for redundancy. According to this site the EMI version will always get elected stack master as long as you have the same priority for all switches. Thanks.

At the end of the day, you make that decision.  You should also know the implication when you mix EMI and SMI in a stack.  When your master, an EMI, fails and the SMI should take over.  The SMI can take over but if you have configuration exclusively found in EMI, the SMI won't understand those lines and ignores them.  

[Reza Sharifi]

Hi,

I would recommend using the same feature set for all switches in the stack. I know it is more expensive, but it can save you lot of headache in the long run.  Also, use different priory for each switch in the stack, so you you know which switch is the master and which once are the members.

HTH 

[Phil Bradley]

My initial thoughts are to only upgrade two of the five members to EMI. I think I will have bigger issues if I lose more than two switches in the stack. I'm not to concerned with upgrading all five unless it's impossible. My other option is to put in an actual router or to split the stack.

[Joseph W. Doherty]

Disclaimer

The Author of this posting offers the information contained within this posting without consideration and with the reader's understanding that there's no implied or expressed suitability or fitness for any purpose. Information provided is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as rendering professional advice of any kind. Usage of this posting's information is solely at reader's own risk.

Liability Disclaimer

In no event shall Author be liable for any damages whatsoever (including, without limitation, damages for loss of use, data or profit) arising out of the use or inability to use the posting's information even if Author has been advised of the possibility of such damage.

Posting

My understanding has been the 3750 series will allow you to (legally) run a whole stack with an IPServices image as long as one stack member has a license for IPServices.

For redundancy, you should have at least two stack members with IPServices, otherwise if the sole IPServices master fails, the whole stack reverts to IPBase.

Note - the 3750X has 3 license versions, LANBase, IPBase and IPServices.  LANBase will only stack with other LANBase stack members.  I think it also requires at least IPBase to stack with the original 3750 series.

Note - the original 3750 series also, at one time, had three licenses, but for some time now, they only have IPBase and IPServices.

Note - the original 3750 series originally had lifetime free software upgrade license (IOS versions, not feature images) but I think Cisco may have rescinded that.

You can also mix IOS versions, but the StackWise version must agree (if I remember correctly, at least on its major version).  The easiest way to accomplish this it to insure all stack members are running the same IOS version.

You can mix any series of 3750s in the same stack, but if you mix StackWise (your 3750Gs) with StackWisePlus (3750X), the latter runs in StackWise mode (notably giving up half its StackRing bandwidth and its StackWisePlus spacial reuse feature).

Note - the 3750G-12S supported additional SDM templates unique to that model.  If stacking this model with other model types, you need to use the common SDM templates.

Mixed stacks are more of a pain to software upgrade, as you cannot just use the .tar image on the whole stack, but need to update individual stack members.  (It's not overly difficult.  You can copy .bin images to individual stack members and also adjust their boot variables, per switch member.)