ZyXEL Communications XGS1910 Manual

Stacking
XGS1910 Series
Ethernet Switch
Support Notes
Version 1.00 September 2012

Stacking Support Note
All contents copyright (c) 2012 ZyXEL Communications Corporation.
2
Overview of Stacking
Stacking is a feature that merges a switch together with other switches. All
stacked switches will behave like one big switch. The administrators just need to
access one switch to set configuration for the entire stack. This allows for easier
management of network environment.
Which switch will be Master?
Within a managed stack, one master switch (or just "master") must be elected. Any
switch not being master is a slave switch (or just "slave").
To elect a master, the following criteria are evaluated sequentially:
1. If any switch already claims to have been master for more than 30 seconds, then that switch
will become master.
2. If multiple switches claim to have been master for more than 30 seconds, then the switch
which has been master for the longest period of time will become master.
3. The switch with the lowest master priority.
4. The switch with the lowest MAC address.

Stacking Support Note
All contents copyright (c) 2012 ZyXEL Communications Corporation.
3
Application scenario
In a small enterprise network, the network administrator typically has to configure
individual switches one by one. Moreover, some events, like users downloading large
files from server or switch breakdown, may cause server connection slowdown or
service interruptions. Therefore, easily managing a network and increasing
redundancy become a higher priority for the network administrator. The XGS1910
series provides a stacking feature which allows merging of several switches and also
improving server bandwidth and link redundancy through the LACP feature.
LACP LACP LACP
LACP
Internet
XGS1910-24_2F
XGS1910-24_1F
XGS1910-48_1F
Note:
1. All switches MUST use the same firmware version before you implemet stacking
for them.
2. Use ring topology for stacking group in order to prevent switch separation in case
of a connection issue.
3. Use XGS1910-48 as the uplink device for the stacking group. Because
XGS1910-48 can support four 10G ports, this allows using two 10G ports for
stacking group link and another two 10G ports for uplink usage.
4. If you want to use 10G to connect XGS4528 or XGS1910, use XFP on XGS4528
and SFP-Plus on XGS1910. Then they will connect successfully.

Stacking Support Note
All contents copyright (c) 2012 ZyXEL Communications Corporation.
4
Configuration Guide
In total, we need to configure three switches in this scenario. Configuration will start
from XGS1910-48_1F to XGS1910-24_1F and XGS1910-24_24F.
Goals to achieve:
1) The XGS1910-48_1F will be a master switch.
2) A server will use LACP to connect with XGS1910-24_1F and
XGS1910-48_1F.
1.1 XGS1910-48_1F Configuration steps:
Step 1 : Monitor > System > Information to check the firmware version.
Step 2 : Configuration > System > IP to configure an IP address on the switch.

Stacking Support Note
All contents copyright (c) 2012 ZyXEL Communications Corporation.
5
Step 3 : Configuration > Stack to enable the stacking function.
Note : After enabling the stacking function, the switch MUST be rebooted.
Step 4 : Maintenance > Restart Device to reboot the switch.
Step 5 : Check stacking status.

Stacking Support Note
All contents copyright (c) 2012 ZyXEL Communications Corporation.
6
Step 6 : Configuration > Stack to set Switch ID and Priority for the switch.

Stacking Support Note
All contents copyright (c) 2012 ZyXEL Communications Corporation.
7
1.2 XGS1910-24_1F Configuration steps:
Step 1 : Monitor > System > Information to check the firmware version.
Step 2 : Configuration > System > IP to configure an IP address on the switch.

Stacking Support Note
All contents copyright (c) 2012 ZyXEL Communications Corporation.
8
Step 3 : Configuration > Stack to enable the stacking function.
Note : After enabling the stacking function, the switih MUST be rebooted.
Step 4 : Maintenance > Restart Device to reboot the switch.
Step 5 : Check stacking status.

Stacking Support Note
All contents copyright (c) 2012 ZyXEL Communications Corporation.
9
Step 6 : Configuration > Stack to set Switch ID and Priority for the switch.
1.3 XGS1910-24_2F Configuration steps:
Step 1 : Monitor > System > Information to check the firmware version.

Stacking Support Note
All contents copyright (c) 2012 ZyXEL Communications Corporation.
10
Step 2 : Configuration > System > IP to configure an IP address on the switch.
Step 3 : Configuration > Stack to enable the stacking function.
Note : After enabling the stacking function, the switch MUST be rebooted.
Step 4 : Maintenance > Restart Device to reboot the switch.