Cabletron Systems STS16-20R, STS16-20D manual Working with a Stack, Inter-box Parameters

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Working with a Stack

When the SmartStack STS16-20D/STS16-20R switch powers up, it runs through a series of diagnostics. Immediately after the diagnostics are complete, the SmartStack STS16-20D/STS16-20R enters the stack discovery mode. The discovery mode is used to sense if the unit is cabled to other SmartStack STS16- 20D/STS16-20R units. If the SmartStack STS16-20D/STS16-20R is connected to other units during the discovery mode, the switches automatically combine to form a stack.

Each unit is assigned a box number, and the box with the lowest number becomes the stackmaster. When accessing switch-specific settings from a management console, you will be prompted for the box number. In a back-to-back configuration, the box number is determined by software. In configurations using the SmartStack STS-8SU or STS-5SU units, the box number is determined by the port number.

The switches in the stack combine certain configuration parameters so that the stack as a unit uses one set of parameters. These parameters are discussed below in “Inter-box Parameters”.

The stack can now be managed as a single entity from a management console or management application.

Inter-box Parameters

The SmartStack STS16-20D/STS16-20R switches participating in the stack must combine configuration information so that the stack as a whole uses common parameters. One of the participating switches becomes the provider of inter-box parameters.

If the switches have the same configuration information, the switch that becomes Box 1 becomes the provider. If the configuration information is different, a split- stack will be formed and a warning message will be displayed on the console screen. You will be requested to briefly press the SysReq button on the switch that is to be the provider of inter-box parameters. When you have selected the provider, the other switch will replace its stack related configuration parameters with those of the provider.

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