Nortel Networks 2500 Series manual Stacking functionality delivery, Stack enabled switches

40Nortel Ethernet Routing Switch 2500 Series stacking

Stacking functionality delivery

The Nortel Ethernet Routing Switch 2500 series switches allow you to stack multiple switches together to create a single virtual switch that can be managed as a single device. Stacking functionality is delivered in two distinctively different ways on Ethernet Routing Switch 2500 series switches:

•Through stack enabled units with order codes AL2515xxx-E6. The rear ports of stack enabled ERS 2500 switch are factory pre-enabled, configured, and operating in Stacking Mode by default and are ready to stack. These units do not require or use the software licensing mechanism.

•Through software using a licensing mechanism for standalone units with order codes AL2500xxx-E6. Standalone ERS 2500 switches require the purchase of a Stacking License Kit for each license to create a license file, which unlocks stacking capability on standalone units.

Stack enabled switches

The stack enabled unit rear ports are configured in Stacking Mode at the factory and are ready for immediate use for connection in a stack configuration. Stacking Mode is the default operating mode that cannot be overridden by a factory default. Standalone Mode operation is still available for configuration on the rear-ports of stack enabled units. For information on adding or replacing a new unit, see "Adding/Replacing a stack unit" (page 53).

All factory pre-enabled units are identifiable through CLI, Web UI, and Device Manager with the text Stack Enabled included in the switch description for identification purposes.

Standalone configuration with license files

Standalone units are not pre-enabled with stacking capability in the factory and require the use of a software based licensing mechanism to unlock stacking functionality for activation on the rear ports. Standalone units use the GenLic engine for decryption of a license file. The license file must contain the switch MAC address to unlock the stacking functionality.

Standalone units require the purchase of an Ethernet Routing Switch 2500 series Stacking License Kit, of which there are four types available. Each kit contains a License Certificate with a License Authorization Code (LAC) that enables a specific number of stacking licenses for one or multiple ERS 2500 series switches. Each ERS 2500 series switch requires one license file to unlock stacking functionality. A single license file can contain up to 1000 switch MAC addresses for installation on multiple switches.

Nortel Ethernet Routing Switch 2500 Series

Overview — System Configuration

NN47215-500 (323162-B) 02.02 Standard

4.1 19 November 2007

Copyright © 2007, Nortel Networks