Using a deterministic method

  1. Install a Stacking Module into a 2930M switch and then boot the switch. Follow the procedure described in the Switch Installation and Getting Started Guide corresponding to your switch.
    NOTE:

    You cannot use a 2920 stacking module on a 2930M switch and vice versa.

  2. Make sure that stacking is enabled for the switch:

    1. Enter the show stacking command.

    2. If stacking is disabled, enter stacking enable (in global config context). This command causes the switch to reboot.

  3. When the switch finishes booting, enter the show stacking command again. The switch now has the status of Commander. It has a Member ID of 1 (one) and a default priority of 128. An example of the show stacking output is shown below. 

    switch(config)# show stacking
Stack ID         : NO ID - will merge upon connectivity                        
          
MAC Address      : e0071b-e641ca    
Stack Topology   : No Stack Formed                         
Stack Status     : No Stack Formed                         
Split Policy     : One-Fragment-Up 
Uptime           : 0d 0h 12m   
Software Version : WC.16.05.0000x

 Mbr                                                                            
 ID  Mac Address       Model                                 Pri Status         
 --- ----------------- ------------------------------------- --- ---------
*1   e0071b-e641c0     Aruba JL321A 2930M-48G Switch         128 Commander

  4. To generate a stack ID, enter the following command:

    switch(config)#stacking set-stack

  5. (Optional) To have this switch retain its function as Commander through stack boots and other situations, you can increase its priority. The switch with the highest priority becomes Commander when all the switches are booted simultaneously. The default priority is 128. The priority can be set to any value between 1 and 255. To increase the switch’s stacking priority, enter the following command:

    switch(config)# stacking member 1 priority 255

  6. (Optional) Preconfigure (provision) the stack for the other switches that become members of the stack. You can assign a member number and a priority by entering the following command for each switch: 
    switch(config)# stacking member N type JxxxxA [mac MAC-Addr]
    where:

    • N is the stacking member number for the switch.

    • JxxxxA is the product number of the switch (required). Any of the 2930M models can be installed and can assume this provisioned configuration. If you specify a value for this parameter, then only a switch of this specific model type can assume this provisioned configuration.

    • (Optional) MAC-Addr can be specified if you want a specific switch to assume this provisioned configuration. If this value is entered, then the type value for the switch that has this MAC address must be correct, or a configuration error is logged and the switch is not allowed to join the stack.

  7. Connect the stacking cables to the module ports for the desired stacking topology. For example, plug port 1 and 2 in a ring.

  8. Install Stacking Modules into the other switches that will be members of the stack, but do not boot them yet.
    NOTE:

    At a minimum, a ring topology must be created. A chain topology is not recommended because any hardware or software failure in the stack results in lost ports, which increases the amount of time for the recovery of full stack operation due to multiple reboots. See the Installation and Getting Started Guide for supported topologies corresponding to your switch.

  9. Boot the Standby and Member switches. The second switch that is booted becomes the Standby. The remaining switches become Members when booted.

  10. When all of the switches are booted, enter the show stacking command to confirm that the stack is operating correctly. The following example shows ten switches in a ring topology.

Viewing output for ten switches in a ring topology

switch(config)# show stacking
MAC Address      : 941882-d83c49
Stack Topology   : Ring                                    
Stack Status     : Active                                  
Split Policy     : One-Fragment-Up 
Uptime           : 0d 0h 6m    
Software Version: WC.16.04.0000x

Mbr                                                                            
 ID  Mac Address       Model                                  Pri  Status         
 --- ----------------- ----------------------------------- -----  ----------
 *1  941882-d83c40     Aruba JL321A 2930M-48G Switch          128  Commander      
  2  941882-dd3480     Aruba JL320A 2930M-24G-PoE+ Switch     128  Member         
  3  941882-d91a40     Aruba JL319A 2930M-24G Switch          128  Member         
  4  941882-d9a240     Aruba JL321A 2930M-48G Switch          128  Member         
  5  941882-d9e900     Aruba JL319A 2930M-24G Switch          128  Member         
  6  941882-da0f40     Aruba JL319A 2930M-24G Switch          128  Member         
  7  941882-dc05c0     Aruba JL322A 2930M-48G-PoE+ Switch     128  Member         
  8  941882-dc9340     Aruba JL322A 2930M-48G-PoE+ Switch     128  Member         
  9  941882-db0080     Aruba JL321A 2930M-48G Switch          128  Standby        
 10 941882-dccf80      Aruba JL320A 2930M-24G-PoE+ Switch     128  Member