Adding a switch to a stack as a new member

Networking stacking enables adding switches to the stack while the stack is operational, so long as the maximum number of four switches in the stack is not exceeded.

  1. Provision1 the stack for the new switch with the following command:
    
    switch(config)# stacking member <n> type <JxxxxA> [mac <MAC-address>]
    
    where:
    • n is the stacking member number for the switch.

    • JxxxxA is the product number of the switch (required). Any 2920 model can be installed and 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-address 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.

  2. (Optional) You can preconfigure a priority for the member switch by entering this command:
    switch(config)# stacking member n priority 100
    Where:
    • n is the stacking member number for the switch.

    • x is the priority (1 - 255, but should be less than the priority assigned to the Commander — the priority for the Standby should be the second highest in the stack; member switches can be left at the default priority value of 128).

    NOTE:
    • You must configure the stacking type and priority separately.

    • When the new switch has been provisioned in the stack, a complete configuration can be applied to the switch even before it is physically connected to the stack, connected to the network, and powered up.

  3. Power on the new switch. The new switch does not become a member of the stack unless stacking has been enabled on the switch.

  4. Install a Stacking Module into the new switch, connect the switch into the stack using the stacking cables, and form the desired stacking topology.

  5. When the switch has finished booting, establish a console session with it and, from the config context, issue the command to enable stacking:switch(config)# stacking enableThis causes the switch to reboot. When the reboot is complete, the switch is a member of the stack with the attributes that you provisioned for it.

  6. Confirm that the switch is now a member of the stack by issuing a show stacking command from a console session with any of the switches in the stack. The command output should show that the new switch is a Standby or Member of the stack with the member number and priority that you assigned to it.

When you add the switch to the stack, the following occurs:

  • The Stack Revision Number is incremented by one.

  • The Commander verifies that the new switch has the same switch software as the other switches in the stack, and downloads the software to the new switch if it does not. When downloading new software, there is an automatic reboot.

  • The Commander assigns the Stack ID and a Member ID to the new switch.

  • A stack ID is assigned, even if the switch is later disconnected from the stack.

  • The member's console is automatically redirected to the Commander.

  • The OOBM IP address for that member is no longer reachable.

1

Provisioning a switch configures a switch in a stack before the switch is connected into the stack. Once such a switch configuration has been created in the stack, a complete network configuration can be created for it, even if the switch is not physically present in the stack.