Stacking 2960S

[RB117892]

I have checked over documents on cisco.com but still unclear.

We would like to start stacking some 2960S switches. We currently have one 2960S in production now, and are ready to create the stack with a second 2960S. A few questions regarding this:

• Does the current 2960S we have in production need to be powered off when we insert the stack module? Or is it hot swappable?
• Is there any loss of network connectivity when you create the stack (plugging the second one into the production one)? Just trying to do this during normal business hours if possible.
• Is it necessary to set the production one as a master ahead of time?  Command I would use: switch 1 priority 14 (anything higher than 1 I was told would make it the master)
• Is it necessary to have all switches on the same firmware?

Thanks.

[glen.grant · Accepted solution]

1.  No the current one does not have to be powered off .

2.  The new one does have to be powered off , then connect the stack cables and then power on. To have a succssful addition make sure the new switch has the same code as the existing .

3.  Yes its a good idea to make current switch master ahead of time.