Linksys SLM224G4S manual Appendix B About Switch Stacking, Stack Building Quick Start

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Appendix B

Appendix B:

About Switch Stacking

A switch may operate in one of two modes: Stack or Standalone. You can select either mode during software boot or using the web-based utility’s Setup > Summary screen, with the new mode taking effect after the unit is reset. The factory default is Stack mode.

Standalone Mode

A switch operating in Standalone mode runs as an independent, single unit. All ports of a standalone switch operate as normal Ethernet links. A Standalone switch does not participate in a Stack even if physically connected to a Stack.

Stack Mode

A switch operating in Stack mode is not an independent unit, but a member of an organized group of switches known as a Stack. A Stack consists of one Master control switch, a Master Backup switch, and up to four Stack Member SLM224G4S switches, or up to two Stack Member SLM248G4S switches.

•As a special case, a unit in Stack mode not connected to any other units may operate as a “stack–of-one”.

NOTE: When a unit is in Stack mode, two of its ports are reserved for use with stacking links, and cannot be used for regular network connections.

Two ports of each unit in Stack mode (ports G1 and G2) are reserved for stacking links, and cannot be used for regular network connections.

Stack Building Quick Start

Stacking allows you to build a switch with many more ports than would be available in a single unit. The stack is managed by one of the units called the Master and all the other units serve as ports only.

When building a stack there are two distinct cases:

•Building a stack from scratch

•Adding units to a running (operational) stack to make it bigger

Normal (Self-Ordering) Stack

The easiest way to build a stack is to have the switches’ automatically determine their order in the stack.

About Switch Stacking

Building a New Stack

To build a new self-ordering stack, use a group of switches, each of which is set to the factory defaults.

All that is necessary to do is to connect the units physically (through the stacking ports, using standard Ethernet cables) and turn the units on. After a short interval the stack will become operational with one of the units selected as the Master of the stack. The unit selected as Master will be indicated by the Stack Master LED on its front panel lit amber. If a serial console connection is desired, the serial cable should be connected to the console port of the unit serving as stack Master.

If the units to be used in building the new stack were used before then it is highly recommended to reset them back to factory default (by holding the reset button for at least 10 seconds) and proceeding as described above.

Adding Units to a Running Stack

Restore the factory defaults to each of the units to be added to the stack. Then connect the units physically to the stack and turn the units on. After a short while the new units will become stack members.

Manually Ordered Stack

The system administrator can manually decide which unit will be the Master. To do that the system administrator has to assign a unique Unit ID from 1 to 6 (1 to 4 for SLM248G4S-only stacks) to each stack member.

NOTE: It is highly recommended that if any unit is assigned its Unit ID manually, then all the units be assigned their Unit IDs manually.

It is NOT recommended to have a mixed case with some Unit IDs assigned manually, and others automatically allocated at runtime by the stack Master (even though such a mixed stack may well function flawlessly).

Building a New Stack

Reset all of the units to the factory defaults and build the stack as described above in“Normal (Self-Ordering) Stack”. Then, when the stack is operational, assign each unit with its desired number, making sure no duplicates exist, and reset the stack.

Adding Units to a Running Stack

Restore the factory defaults to each of the units to be added to the stack. Then, connect the units physically to the stack and turn the units on. After a short while they will become stack members, but will have auto-assigned Unit IDs. Assign each such unit its desired Unit ID (using

24/48-Port 10/100 + 4-Port Gigabit Resilient Clustering Smart Switch with 2 Combo SFPs

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Contents Port or 48-Port 10/100 + About This Guide About This GuideIcon Descriptions Online ResourcesTable of Contents Snmp Gigabit Ethernet Fiber Optic Cabling Appendix B About Switch StackingAppendix C Glossary Appendix D Specifications Appendix G Contact InformationChapter IntroductionChapter Product Overview Product OverviewFront Panel Back PanelSLM248G4S Chapter Installation InstallationPre-Installation Considerations Placement OptionsRack-Mount Placement Hardware InstallationDesktop Placement Uplinking the Switch Configuring Stacking ModeConnect port G1 on Unit 3 to port G2 on Unit Replacing a Stacked SwitchConnect port G1 on Unit 2 to port G2 on Unit Chapter Configuration Using Console Interface Using the HyperTerminal ApplicationUsing telnet Login screen appears. Proceed to the Login section belowHow to Use the Console Interface LoginSwitch Main Menu System Configuration MenuSystem Information Management SettingsUser & Password Settings Security Settings IP ConfigurationNetwork Configuration File ManagementStack Configuration Restore System Default SettingsReboot System Port Configuration System ModePort Status HelpChapter Configuration Using Web-based Utility SetupSetup Summary Device InformationSetup Zoom Setup Network SettingsDefault Gateway The IP address default 0.0.0.0 DNS Server The IP address of your ISP’s server thatSetup Time IdentificationLocal Time Daylight SavingSetup Stack Management Port Management Port SettingsPort Management Sntp ServersPort Configuration LAG Configuration Port Management Link AggregationLacp screen contains fields for configuring Lacp LAGs Port Management LacpGlobal Parameter Port PriorityVlan Management Port Settings Vlan ManagementVlan Management Create Vlan Lacp Port TableJoin Vlan to Port Vlan Management Port to VlanVlan Management Vlan to Port Statistics Statistics Rmon StatisticsStatistics Rmon History Rmon HistoryLog Table Rmon History TableStatistics Rmon Alarms Add AlarmStatistics Interface Statistics Statistics Port UtilizationStatistics Rmon Events Security 802.1x Settings SecurityInterface Ethernet-likeSetting Timer Security Port SecuritySecurity Management Access List Web IP FilteringBroadcast Only Counts only Broadcast traffic Security Storm ControlSecurity Radius QoS CoS Settings CoS SettingsCoS Default CoS Settings screen is used to enable or disable CoSQoS Bandwidth QoS Queue SettingsQoS Dscp Settings Spanning Tree STP Status QoS Basic ModeSpanning Tree Spanning Tree STP Port Settings Global SettingBridge Settings Spanning Tree Global STPVlan Igmp Settings MulticastMulticast Igmp Snooping Igmp GlobalMulticast Bridge Multicast Multicast Bridge Multicast Forward AllSnmp Global Parameters Snmp ViewsUser Name Provides a user-defined local user list Snmp Group ProfileSnmp Group Membership Snmp Communities Snmp Notification Filter Snmp Notification RecipientBase Table Advanced TableAdmin Admin User AuthenticationUser Authentication Local User EditAdmin Static Address Admin Dynamic AddressSecure The entry is defined for locked ports Clear Table If selected, this clears the MAC Address tableQuery Admin Port MirroringAdmin Cable Test Admin Save Configuration Admin Factory Default Admin Firmware UpgradeAdmin Reboot Admin Memory Logs Admin LoggingAdmin Server Logs Admin Flash Logs LogoutAppendix a Appendix a About Gigabit Ethernet Fiber Optic CablingGigabit Ethernet Fiber Optic CablingAppendix B About Switch Stacking About Switch StackingAppendix B Stack Building Quick StartAdvanced Stacking Stack ResiliencyUnit IDs Unit ID AllocationMaster Election Stack Units Startup ProcessMaster Discovery Unit and Port Configuration User ControlsStacking Examples Replacing a Failed Stack Member in a Running StackStack Master Failure and Replacement Subgroup Contains Both Master Unit and Backup Master Unit Splitting a StackMerging Two Stacks Both Stacks Kept Running During InsertionStacking Cable Failure Inserting Too Many UnitsGlossary Appendix CAppendix C Glossary Glossary Packet a unit of data sent over a network Mail protocol on the InternetAppendix C Appendix D Appendix D SpecificationsSpecifications Dimensions HOL Blocking Head of line blocking preventionSupports up to 9K byte frames 802.3 10BASE-T EthernetWarranty Information Limited WarrantyObtaining Warranty Service Appendix EWarranty Information Technical SupportAppendix F Regulatory InformationRegulatory Information Appendix F Norsk Norwegian Miljøinformasjon for kunder i EU Appendix F Appendix G Contact Information

SLM224G4S specifications

The Linksys SLM224G4S is a sophisticated Layer 2 managed switch designed for businesses and institutions that demand high performance, reliability, and advanced networking features. This model stands out due to its blend of robustness and manageability, making it ideal for expanding networks.

One of the primary features of the SLM224G4S is its 24 Gigabit Ethernet ports, allowing for high-speed data transfers essential for bandwidth-intensive applications. Supporting auto-negotiation, these ports can detect the capabilities of connected devices and configure themselves accordingly, ensuring optimal performance without manual intervention. With four additional shared Gigabit SFP (Small Form-factor Pluggable) ports, this switch provides flexibility in network design and enhances scalability.

The SLM224G4S supports VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network) capabilities, which can segment network traffic to improve security and performance. This is particularly useful in environments where different departments or teams require distinct network segments for operational efficiency. By implementing VLANs, organizations can enhance their network management while isolating sensitive information from potential threats.

Quality of Service (QoS) is another critical technology integrated into the SLM224G4S. It prioritizes network traffic, ensuring that critical applications receive the bandwidth they need for optimal performance. This is particularly important for VoIP and video conferencing applications, where latency and jitter can significantly impact user experience.

The switch also features advanced Layer 2 management functionalities, including SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol), allowing IT administrators to monitor network performance and quickly troubleshoot issues. The embedded web-based management interface makes configuration straightforward, enabling quick adjustments to settings without deep networking knowledge.

Security is a paramount consideration in today’s networking landscape. The SLM224G4S provides robust security features, including port security that limits the number of MAC addresses allowed on a port, reducing the risk of unauthorized access. Moreover, it supports802.1X port-based authentication, ensuring that only authenticated devices can connect to the network.

In summary, the Linksys SLM224G4S managed switch boasts features such as 24 Gigabit Ethernet ports, VLAN support, QoS, SNMP management, and advanced security protocols. These characteristics make it an excellent choice for businesses looking to enhance their network's performance, safety, and reliability, paving the way for seamless connectivity in today’s digital age.
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