Switch Stack Management Connectivity

Cisco EtherSwitch Service Modules Feature Guide

Information About the Cisco EtherSwitch Service Modules

The interface-specific configuration of each stack member is associated with the stack member number. As mentioned in the “Stack Member Numbers” section on page 15, stack members retain their numbers unless they are manually changed or they are already used by another member in the same switch stack.

•If an interface-specific configuration does not exist for that member number, the stack member uses its default interface-specific configuration.

•If an interface-specific configuration exists for that member number, the stack member uses the interface-specific configuration associated with that member number.

If a stack member fails and you replace it with an identical model, the replacement Cisco EtherSwitch service module or switch automatically uses the same interface-specific configuration as the failed Cisco EtherSwitch service module. Hence, you do not need to reconfigure the interface settings. The replacement Cisco EtherSwitch service module or switch must have the same stack member number as the failed Cisco EtherSwitch service module.

You back up and restore the stack configuration in the same way as you would for a standalone Cisco EtherSwitch service module or switch configuration.

You manage the switch stack and the stack member interfaces through the stack master. You can use Network Assistant, the CLI, and SNMP and CiscoWorks network management applications. You cannot manage stack members on an individual Cisco EtherSwitch service module or switch basis.

Management Connectivity to the Switch Stack Through an IP Address

The switch stack is managed through a single IP address. The IP address is a system-level setting and is not specific to the stack master or to any other stack member. You can still manage the stack through the same IP address even if you remove the stack master or any other stack member from the stack, provided there is IP connectivity.

Note Stack members retain their IP addresses when you remove them from a switch stack. To avoid a conflict by having two devices with the same IP address in your network, change the IP address or addresses of the Cisco EtherSwitch service module or switch that you removed from the switch stack.

For related information about switch stack configurations, see the “Switch Stack Configuration Files” section on page 18.

Management Connectivity to the Switch Stack Through an SSH Session

SSH connectivity to the switch stack can be lost if a stack master running the cryptographic version of the IP base image or IP services image fails and is replaced by a Cisco EtherSwitch service module or switch that is running a noncryptographic version of the image. We recommend that a Cisco EtherSwitch service module or switch running the cryptographic version of the IP base image or IP services image be the stack master. Encryption features are unavailable if the stack master is running the noncryptographic version of the IP base image or IP services image.

Management Connectivity to the Switch Stack Through Console Ports

You can connect to the stack master through the console port of one or more stack members.

Cisco IOS Release 12.2(25)SEC