some questions when stacking the C3750 switches.

[syjeon]

Hi there.

2 X stacking swtich C3750 is already running on. we will intend to add 2 X more C3750 switch with existing stacking switches.

 - Do we have to have same IOS upgrade before stacking?

 - Do we need additional configuration to stack new 2 X C3750 switches?

 - Can we add new 2 X stacking switches without power down of existing C3750 stack switches?

 - the stacking step I thought is like below.

   step.1 IOS upgrade to have same version in new 2 X stacking switches

   step.2 Extend the stack cabling from exiting to new C3750 switches(remained as power down)

   step.3 Once the stacking cabling is done, then power up new C3750 switches

   step.4 once the new C3750 stacking come up, then we can see new C3750 has been recognized in Master switch.

   step.5 Complete the validation.

Thanks.

[Leo Laohoo · Accepted solution]

Do we have to have same IOS upgrade before stacking?

Yes.

Do we need additional configuration to stack new 2 X C3750 switches?

This process is called switch pre-provisioning and is an optional step. 

Can we add new 2 X stacking switches without power down of existing C3750 stack switches?

Yes but the new switches MUST BE POWERED DOWN.  If the a new switch is powered and gets connected to a stack the entire stack will reboot.  This behaviour is not a bug.  

[syjeon]

Hi Leo, for safety get connected new stacking switch with exiting stack switch, we connect the stack cable with power down new stack, once the cable is done then, we can turn on the devices. would it be ok then?

If the switch is connected with single stack cable, it will operate with half-duplex, but, no outage will be happened.

Thanks.

[Leo Laohoo]

Hi Leo, for safety get connected new stacking switch with exiting stack switch, we connect the stack cable with power down new stack, once the cable is done then, we can turn on the devices. would it be ok then?

Correct.  The new switch member MUST BE POWERED DOWN before stacking cable gets connected.  

If the switch is connected with single stack cable, it will operate with half-duplex, but, no outage will be happened.

Correct.