vstack basic not working on a 2960x

[mario.jost]

We would like to test the autoinstall feature with the vstack technology. Earlier, we had no vstack on our switches, cause it would fill our log files with unnecessary messages all the time. I enabled vstack on one test switch, but i cant get the service to work with vstack basic.

swTST01#show running-config | include vstack
vstack director 172.16.220.4
no vstack
swTST01#configure terminal 
Enter configuration commands, one per line.  End with CNTL/Z.
swTST01(config)#vstack 
swTST01(config)#vstack director 172.16.220.4
swTST01(config)#vstack basic
                       ^
% Invalid input detected at '^' marker.

swTST01(config)#vstack ?
  director  Configure director's IP address
  <cr>
swTST01(config)#end    
swTST01#show vstack ?
  config       View configuration parameters under Vstack mode 
  group        Show vstack group information
  join-window  Show the join window information
swTST01#show vstack config 
 Capability: Client
 Oper Mode: Enabled
 Role: Client
 Vstack Director IP address: 172.16.220.

Some details on what we use:

swTST01#show version | include IOS
Cisco IOS Software, C2960X Software (C2960X-UNIVERSALK9-M), Version 15.2(2)E7, RELEASE SOFTWARE (fc3)

swTST01#show ver | include \*
*    1 28    WS-C2960X-24PS-L          15.2(2)E7             C2960X-UNIVERSALK9-M   

swTST01#show license 
Index 1 Feature: lanlite        
        Period left: 0  minute  0  second  
Index 2 Feature: lanbase        
        Period left: Life time
        License Type: Permanent
        License State: Active, In Use
        License Priority: Medium
        License Count: Non-Counted  

I checked on the official Cisco Documentation: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/lan/smart_install/configuration/guide/smart_install/commands.html#53643

That the vstack basic command should be supported by the IOS version we use:

12.2(52)SE       This command was introduced.
15.1(1)SY        This command was integrated into Cisco IOS Release 15.1(1)SY.
3.4SG            This command was integrated into Cisco IOS XE Release 3.4SG.
15.1(2)SG        This command was integrated into Cisco IOS Release 15.1(2)SG.
15.0(2)EX        This command was integrated into Cisco IOS Release 15.0(2)EX.
15.0(2)EX1       This command was integrated into Cisco IOS Release 15.0(2)EX1.
3.2(0)SE         This command was integrated into Cisco IOS Release 3.2(0)SE.

As well the model and license we use:

2960-X LAN Base

2960X-24PD-L   24 ports, 2 SFP+, PoE
2960X-24PS-L   24 ports, 4 SFP, PoE
2960X-24PSQ-L  24 ports, 2 SFP, 8PoE
2960X-24TD-L   24 ports, 2 SFP+
2960X-24TS-L   24 ports, 4 SFP
2960X-48FPD-L  48 ports, 2 SFP+, PoE
2960X-48FPS-L  48 ports, 4 SFP, PoE
2960X-48LPD-L  48 ports, 2 SFP+, PoE
2960X-48LPS-L  48 ports, 4 SFP, PoE
2960X-48TD-L   48 ports, 2 SFP+,
2960X-48TS-L   48 ports, 2 SFP

2960-X LAN Lite

2960X-24TS-LL  24 ports, 2 SFP
2960X-48TS-LL  48 ports, 2 SFP

So all the vstack based commands like dhcp-localserver, backup and hostname-prefix are missing. I tried to just write the command without autocomplete, as i know of some "hidden" commands. Can anybody shed some light on this? Has this feature been cancelled?

[Leo Laohoo]

That's not going to work.
VStack Director role is supported on Catalyst 2K. It has to be Catalyst 3K (minimum), 4K or 5K. Read THIS.

Please be aware that any IOS/IOS-XE releases after July 2018 "vstack" is permanently disabled.  

Cisco's recommendation is to use DNAc for switch & router preprovioning.

[mario.jost]

Dear Leo

Thanks for your answer. I already read your blogpost, but there was no mention of the 2960X model, so I assumed that maybe after all these years, Cisco might have built in director support on these devices.

There are a lot of automatic setup routines that have accumulated over the years. We have lots of small offices with 2960X switches only. So as far as i understand, we cannot use any of these routines without buying something new:

• Smart Install (2960X only)
• Zero Touch Provisioning (IOS-XE only)
• Autonomic Networking (Registrars on routers only?)
• Prime Infrastructure Plug & Play (We have Prime but we'd need APIC-EM)
• Cisco DNA (DNA Center needed)
• Cisco Configuration Express (We dont order directy from Cisco)
• Cisco Configuration Engine (Configuration Engine Media Kit needed)

We do have Cisco 89x series routers at every small office, so i will try to use these as vStack directors in the future.

[Leo Laohoo]

ZeroTouch SmartInstall is supported on 2960X but only as a slave (and not a Director).
The minimum requirement for a Director are Cat 3K.
You don't need anything "new". Get a 3750X from e-bay (or something).

[mario.jost]

You wrote:

" Please be aware that any IOS/IOS-XE releases after July 2018 "vstack" is permanently disabled "

Do you mean, no vstack will be in the default configuration (show running-config all) from that point on, or do you mean that vstack isn't supported at all on all IOS versions in the future?

Thanks and best regards,
Mario

[Leo Laohoo · Accepted solution]

No, I mean if the slave &/or director use IOS/IOS-XE released after July 2018, ANY "vstack" command will NOT be allowed.

NOTE:  And no, this fact is not documented anywhere else (not even in the Release Notes).  

[mario.jost]

OK, thank you very much for this informaiton. I just checked this and can confirm that the vstack is gone. Tested IOS version 15.2(4)E7 released in September 2018.

Knowing that, smart install isn't an option as this path sadly has no future...

[mario.jost]

Just to sum this topic up. After we tried to get APIC-EM Working for 2 days (absolute nightmare product) we ended up using AUTOINSTALL on the switch side, and combine it with a internal Website, that generates configuration on the fly, uploads them to the TFTP server and sets corresponding DHCP options for the scopes, the switches needs to be setup. If anyone is interested in AUTOINSTALL, here is a short blog post that covers everything important: http://itblog.antik.sk/?p=3

[Leo Laohoo]

---

@mario.jost wrote:

After we tried to get APIC-EM Working for 2 days (absolute nightmare product) 

Mario, 

APIC-EM was a stop-gap product to assist in the development of DNAc.