08-14-2024 08:14 PM
hi, we have 4 new C9300 switches which are already stacked together and work as core switch. Now we have other 2x old C9300, and want to add them to the network. what is the best practice of below two options?
option 1. upgrade the os of old C9300 to the same version of new C9300, then add them to the existing stack
option 2. just stack 2x old switches and uplink connected them to existing 4x new switch stack using port-channel, this 2x old switches just used for non-important endpoints.
what is pros and cros of stacking 6 switches together? Can anyone please advise, thanks in advance!
08-14-2024 10:39 PM
Use option 1
- Verify the compatibility and make sure the model is supported to add a stack
- Update firmware with the same software version as the existing stack members. All switches must either be in Install Mode or Bundle Mode
- Backup configuration
- Connect the new 9300 switch to the stack using the appropriate stacking cables.
- Power on the new switch and verify that it boots up successfully.
- make a note of exiting stack switch numbers and priority and Use the appropriate command on the stack master switch to add the new switch to the stack.
- Once the new switch is added, verify that it has successfully joined the stack. Use the "show switch" command
https://community.cisco.com/t5/switching/c9300-add-new-switch-to-stack/td-p/4386257
08-14-2024 11:13 PM
thanks @shambhu.kumar for your advice. can you pls advise the pros and cons of option 1? why don't use option 2? any disadvantage if too many stack members? thanks.
08-14-2024 11:35 PM
@shambhu.kumar , all the switches stacked together, I think that there will be one potential issue, if any stack cable faulty, it might cause all the switches to reboot. do you agree?
08-15-2024 12:19 AM
It has their own advantages and disadvantages
with stack,it provided higher port density, redundancy and provides a single control plane with expand switching capacity with higher Forwarding rate.
you can stack 8 switches with out any performance issues.
Yes agreed with you, In some cases, the unexpected reloads triggered due to bad stack cables, stack adapters, or stack ports. Regardless which software version you run, you can be susceptible to this if the stack parts were not installed properly.
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