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

Models: SLM224G4S

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

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.