Stacking 2960S and X switches

[Jared McPhail]

What is the recommended version of IOS to be used for stacking 2960S and 2960X switches?

[Leo Laohoo]

Look at the Cisco download page and see what IOS version for the 2960S can also be found in the 2960X.

[Jared McPhail]

I've done that in the past which meant downgrading my X to an IOS version supported by the S, and even then they wouldn't stack. They didn't recognize one another. 

[Leo Laohoo]

Post the complete output to the command "sh version".

[Jared McPhail]

Cisco IOS Software, C2960S Software (C2960S-UNIVERSALK9-M), Version 15.2(2)E6, RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc1)
Technical Support: http://www.cisco.com/techsupport
Copyright (c) 1986-2016 by Cisco Systems, Inc.
Compiled Fri 16-Dec-16 20:58 by prod_rel_team

ROM: Bootstrap program is C2960S board boot loader
BOOTLDR: C2960S Boot Loader (C2960S-HBOOT-M) Version 12.2(55r)SE, RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc1)

Switch uptime is 19 minutes
System returned to ROM by power-on
System image file is "flash:/c2960s-universalk9-mz.152-2.E6/c2960s-universalk9-mz.152-2.E6.bin"
Last reload reason: power-on



This product contains cryptographic features and is subject to United
States and local country laws governing import, export, transfer and
use. Delivery of Cisco cryptographic products does not imply
third-party authority to import, export, distribute or use encryption.
Importers, exporters, distributors and users are responsible for
compliance with U.S. and local country laws. By using this product you
agree to comply with applicable laws and regulations. If you are unable
to comply with U.S. and local laws, return this product immediately.

A summary of U.S. laws governing Cisco cryptographic products may be found at:
http://www.cisco.com/wwl/export/crypto/tool/stqrg.html

If you require further assistance please contact us by sending email to
export@cisco.com.

cisco WS-C2960S-48LPS-L (PowerPC) processor (revision G0) with 131072K bytes of memory.
Processor board ID FOC1732Y3CZ
Last reset from power-on
1 Virtual Ethernet interface
1 FastEthernet interface
52 Gigabit Ethernet interfaces
The password-recovery mechanism is enabled.

512K bytes of flash-simulated non-volatile configuration memory.
Base ethernet MAC Address       : E8:ED:F3:1E:9F:80
Motherboard assembly number     : 73-11907-09
Power supply part number        : 341-0393-02
Motherboard serial number       : FOC17320Z6A
Power supply serial number      : LIT17221N5D
Model revision number           : G0
Motherboard revision number     : A0
Model number                    : WS-C2960S-48LPS-L
Daughterboard assembly number   : 73-11933-04
Daughterboard serial number     : FOC173211QB
System serial number            : FOC1732Y3CZ
Top Assembly Part Number        : 800-30937-04
Top Assembly Revision Number    : A0
Version ID                      : V04
CLEI Code Number                : COMGZ00ARD
Daughterboard revision number   : A0
Hardware Board Revision Number  : 0x01


Switch Ports Model                     SW Version            SW Image
------ ----- -----                     ----------            ----------
*    2 52    WS-C2960S-48LPS-L         15.2(2)E6             C2960S-UNIVERSALK9-M


Configuration register is 0xF

[Jared McPhail]

Cisco IOS Software, C2960X Software (C2960X-UNIVERSALK9-M), Version 15.2(2)E6, RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc1)
Technical Support: http://www.cisco.com/techsupport
Copyright (c) 1986-2016 by Cisco Systems, Inc.
Compiled Fri 16-Dec-16 21:27 by prod_rel_team

ROM: Bootstrap program is C2960X boot loader
BOOTLDR: C2960X Boot Loader (C2960X-HBOOT-M) Version 15.2(2r)E1, RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc1)

Switch uptime is 23 minutes
System returned to ROM by power-on
System restarted at 16:26:11 UTC Wed Feb 15 2017
System image file is "flash:/c2960x-universalk9-mz.152-2.E6/c2960x-universalk9-mz.152-2.E6.bin"
Last reload reason: power-on



This product contains cryptographic features and is subject to United
States and local country laws governing import, export, transfer and
use. Delivery of Cisco cryptographic products does not imply
third-party authority to import, export, distribute or use encryption.
Importers, exporters, distributors and users are responsible for
compliance with U.S. and local country laws. By using this product you
agree to comply with applicable laws and regulations. If you are unable
to comply with U.S. and local laws, return this product immediately.

A summary of U.S. laws governing Cisco cryptographic products may be found at:
http://www.cisco.com/wwl/export/crypto/tool/stqrg.html

If you require further assistance please contact us by sending email to
export@cisco.com.

cisco WS-C2960X-48FPD-L (APM86XXX) processor (revision F0) with 524288K bytes of memory.
Processor board ID FCW1852B13D
Last reset from power-on
1 Virtual Ethernet interface
1 FastEthernet interface
50 Gigabit Ethernet interfaces
2 Ten Gigabit Ethernet interfaces
The password-recovery mechanism is enabled.

512K bytes of flash-simulated non-volatile configuration memory.
Base ethernet MAC Address       : 68:9C:E2:96:93:00
Motherboard assembly number     : 73-15964-03
Power supply part number        : 341-0527-01
Motherboard serial number       : FOC185174K8
Power supply serial number      : DCB184760KY
Model revision number           : F0
Motherboard revision number     : B0
Model number                    : WS-C2960X-48FPD-L
Daughterboard assembly number   : 73-14200-03
Daughterboard serial number     : FOC18512W0V
System serial number            : FCW1852B13D
Top Assembly Part Number        : 800-41461-03
Top Assembly Revision Number    : A0
Version ID                      : V04
CLEI Code Number                : CMMTR00BRA
Daughterboard revision number   : A0
Hardware Board Revision Number  : 0x12


Switch Ports Model                     SW Version            SW Image
------ ----- -----                     ----------            ----------
*    1 52    WS-C2960X-48FPD-L         15.2(2)E6             C2960X-UNIVERSALK9-M


Configuration register is 0xF

[Leo Laohoo]

Can I see the "sh version" when the two switches are stacked? 

I'm interested to see the error messages when they are stacked.

[Jared McPhail]

That is them stacked. I have to connect to each switch through the console port to get the "sh ver" off of each switch.  They're not stacking, even though I have them connected up to each other. That's the problem I don't error message.

[Leo Laohoo]

Ok, can I see the complete output to the command "sh switch d"?

[Jared McPhail]

This is the output from the 2960X

Switch/Stack Mac Address : 689c.e296.9300
                                           H/W   Current
Switch#  Role   Mac Address     Priority Version  State
----------------------------------------------------------
*1       Master 689c.e296.9300     1      4       Ready



         Stack Port Status             Neighbors
Switch#  Port 1     Port 2           Port 1   Port 2
--------------------------------------------------------
  1       Down       Down             None     None

This is the output from the 2960S

Switch#  Role   Mac Address     Priority Version  State
----------------------------------------------------------
*2       Master e8ed.f31e.9f80     1      5       Ready



         Stack Port Status             Neighbors
Switch#  Port 1     Port 2           Port 1   Port 2
--------------------------------------------------------
  2       Down       Down             None     None

[Leo Laohoo]

Hold on ... Exactly how are the two switches connected to each other?

The output above tells me the stacking modules (if there even is one) isn't even connected.  Not even a single cable? 

Are we still talking about connecting the two using FlexStack technology (using the stacking module at the back of the switch) or Switch Stacking (connecting using Ethernet) or Cisco's Horizontal Stacking?  

[Jared McPhail]

Picture of stacking cables connecting the switches together. 

[Leo Laohoo]

That is weird.  I've never seen a behaviour like that before.

Wait a second ... console into one of them.  Reboot the switch.  I want to see each of them doing a boot-up.  I think one of the stacking module is throwing up a tantrum about the module being a counterfeit (not true).

[Alan Daniel Chavira Rodriguez · Accepted solution]

When you stack 2960S and X you need to set to 10 gbps the stack ports

In a mixed stack of Catalyst 2960-X and 2960-S switches, you must set the stack port speed to 10 Gbps. This task is required in a mixed stack configuration and must be run on a Catalyst 2960-X switch in the switch stack before you add a 2960-S switch to the stack. Otherwise, the switches will not stack.

SUMMARY STEPS

1.    configure terminal

2.    switch stack port-speed 10

3.    end

4.    copy running-config startup-config

5.    reload

http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/lan/catalyst2960x/software/15-0_2_EX/stack_manager/configuration_guide/b_stck_152ex_2960-x_cg/b_stck_152ex_2960-x_cg_chapter_010.html#task_E4FC5C32789B42B19C79AB60E126BEC9

[Jared McPhail]

Thanks Alan that worked. They stacked as soon as I set the 2960X stack port speed to 10.