Installation Guide

For more details about the stacking methods that are available for each switch series, see the topics
listed in Stacking Considerations for Each Switch Model on page 151.
Note
Because all switches in the stack must run the same version of ExtremeXOS, it is not possible
to stack switches that require ExtremeXOS version 21, for example the X440-G2 and the
X620, with switches that are incompatible with ExtremeXOS version 21, for example the X440
and the X460.
SummitStack Terms
Table 60 describes the terms used for the SummitStack feature. These terms are listed in the
recommended reading sequence.
Table 60: List of Stacking Terms
Term Description
Stackable switch An ExtremeSwitching switch that provides two stacking ports and can participate
in a stack.
Stacking port A physical interface of a stackable switch that is used to allow the connection of a
stacking link. Stacking ports are point-to-point links that are dedicated for the
purpose of forming a stack.
Native stacking A stacking configuration in which stack members are connected using either
designated Ethernet data ports or dedicated stacking connectors.
Alternate stacking A stacking configuration in which stack members are connected using 10-Gbps
Ethernet data ports that have been configured for stacking. These ports are
located either on the switch itself or on option cards installed on the rear of the
switch.
Stacking link A cable that connects a stacking port of one stackable switch to a stacking port of
another stackable switch, plus the stacking ports themselves.
Node A switch that runs the ExtremeXOS operating system and is part of a stack.
Synonymous with stackable switch.
Stack A set of stackable switches and their connected stacking links made with the
intentions that: (1) all switches are reachable through their common connections;
(2) a single stackable switch can manage the entire stack; and (3) configurable
entities such as VLANs and link trunk groups can have members on multiple
stackable switches. A stack consists of all connected nodes regardless of the state
of the nodes.
Stack topology A contiguously connected set of nodes in a stack that are currently
communicating with one another. All nodes that appear in the show
stacking command display are present in the stack topology.
Stack path A data path that is formed over the stacking links for the purpose of determining
the set of nodes that are present in the stack topology and their locations in the
stack. Every node is always present in a stack path whether or not stacking is
enabled on the node.
Building Stacks
ExtremeSwitching and Summit Switches: Hardware Installation Guide 146