GS700TS Hardware Installation Guide
During the Stacking setup, the switches will auto-select one as the Stacking Master. All other devices are named as slave stack members, and assigned a unique Unit ID. One of the slave units is designated as the backup master. The backup master acts as a slave stack member, but can become a stack master in the event of failure of stack master. The master and backup master are assigned unit IDs of 1 and 2. The Stack Master provides a Single point of control and management as well as a single interface in which to control and manage the stack.
Switch software is downloaded separately for each stack members. However, all units in the stack must be running the same software version.
A device can operate in one of the following modes:
•Stand-alone – The unit runs as a general switch and does not run the stacking application.
•Master Unit – Manages the Stack and is responsible for the configuration.
•Master-Backup – Runs as a slave unit and monitors the operation of the stack master. If the master unit fails, the Master-Backup automatically assumes the Stack-Master role. If a Master- Backup becomes the Master Unit, another Master-Backup will need to be selected manually. One of the Slave units will not automatically become a Master-Backup.
•Slave – Runs a slave version of the Switching Algorithm, which allows the applications running on the master unit to control the resources of the slave unit.
Package Contents
Figure 1-2shows the package contents of the NETGEAR Smart Switch