Monday, April 22, 2019

Extreme Switch - Summit Stacking



    • Stacking Tool

    Extreme Networks provides an excellent visual Stacking tool makes it easier for you to understand EXOS stacking and hardware compatibility. With so many hardware configurations to choose from, it can be challenging to know which ones can work together.

    With the EXOS Stacking Tool v2.0, users can:
    • Build a stack by selecting various EXOS models so the tool can verify compatibility
    • See which stacking technologies (VIM and stacking modules) are compatible and recommended
    • See the minimum and maximum EXOS versions supported by the entire stack
    • See the theoretical table size limits for the entire stack based on model selections
    • See the suggested stack master and backup
    • Access product information and knowledge articles linked from within the tool
    The stacking tool is available here.


    Here's how to get started:

    1. Drag switches from the Switch catalog on the left to the stack on the right (top to bottom)
    2. Select stacking technologies for Stack ports S1 and S2 by clicking on a switch in the stack
    3. Click on the arrow to the right of the stack to expand the Tables and Reporting section

    Click on the "Hamburger button" for help at any time. There you'll find:
    1. Getting Started
    2. Things to Know
    3. About section (provide feedback direct to tool developers)

    • Prerequisite

    Before connecting the stacking cables to add the switch to stack verify the following is the same:
    • License Level-----------"show licenses"(all master capable nodes should have the same license)
    • EXOS Version----------"show version images" (Ensure that every switch (or node) in the stack is running the same version of ExtremeXOS.)
    • Active Partition---------"show switch" (Primary or Secondary whatever is booted that should be same for all devices in stack)

    Enabling stacking will remove the configuration. You will have to migrate the configuration manually.


    • To configure a new stack:

    Step 1. Physically connect the nodes using the stacking ports.

    1-1. Insert the VIM modules into the switches. (Power down the switch to install or remove card.)

    1-2. Connect the stacking cables as below.
    Various QSFP+ optics/cables can be used for stacking ports: 40G MPO cables with QSPF+ SR4 optics, QSFP+ direct-attach cables, etc. The picture shows in V320 stacking. Connect only S1 and S2 in the same way if it's in V160 stacking.
    Summit X460-G2 to be added is required to have a VIM-2q option card (2 x 40GbE ports) installed in the back to support SummitStack-V160.

    Step 2. Power on the nodes.

    Step 3. For each switch on which the stacking ports are not already enabled, issue the command enable stacking-support.


    exos_stack1 # show stacking-support

    Stack    Available Ports
    Port    Native  Alternate  Configured  Current
    -----   -----------------  ----------  ----------
    1       Yes     51         Native      N/A
    2       Yes     52         Native      N/A
    stacking-support:          Disabled    Disabled

    Flags: * - Current stack port selection


    exos_stack1# enable stacking-support

    Stack port 1 configuration is Native
    Stack port 2 configuration is Native

    This setting will take effect at the next reboot of this switch.

    Step 4. Make sure all switches have the same stacking protocol and stacking-support configured


    configure stacking protocol [enhanced | standard]
    configure stacking-support stack-port [stack-ports | all] selection [native {V80 | V160} | V320} | alternate]

    e.g. For SummitStack-V160
    exos_stack1 # configure stacking-support stack-ports all selection native V160

    This setting will take effect at the next reboot of this switch.



    Step 5. Login to any of the nodes through the console port, preferably the one you want to use as the master. If you plan to use Easy Setup, log into the intended master node.
    If the stack is a new stack, the default parameters are in effect.

    Step 6. Type "show stacking" to verify the stack.
    The show stacking command displays all nodes in the stack. All nodes are in a disabled state and all nodes appear as master nodes.

    exos_stack1 # show stacking
    Stack Topology is a Ring
    This node is not in an Active Topology
    Node MAC Address    Slot  Stack State  Role     Flags
    ------------------  ----  -----------  -------  ---
    *00:04:96:9b:b3:13  -     Disabled     Master   ---
     00:04:96:9e:a7:34  -     Disabled     Master   ---
     00:04:96:9d:05:56  -     Disabled     Master   ---
     00:04:96:9e:a7:78  -     Disabled     Master   ---
    * - Indicates this node
    Flags: (C) Candidate for this active topology, (A) Active Node
    (O) node may be in Other active topology

    Step 7. Type "enable stacking" from the master.

    Note: All switches must have stacking-support enabled, but stacking disabled, before you run Easy Setup.

    exos_stack1 # enable stacking
    You have not yet configured all required stacking parameters.
    Would you like to perform an easy setup for stacking operation? (y/N) Yes

    Executing "configure stacking easy-setup" command...
    For every node in the 4-node stack, this command will:
    - enable stacking
    - configure a stack MAC address
    - choose and configure a slot number (this node will be assigned to slot 1)
    - configure redundancy to minimal (slot 1 will be the master node)
    - configure the stacking protocol to enhanced
    Upon completion, the stack will automatically be rebooted into the new configuration.
    Warning: If stacking is already configured, this command will alter that configuration.

    Do you wish to proceed? (y/N) Yes

    Stacking configuration is complete.  Rebooting...


    (Optional) Step 8. This command presents you the option of using the Easy Setup procedure. Type "configure stacking easy-setup"

    (Optional) Step 9. Restart the stack and type "reboot stack-topology"
    The configuration is set to default values while entering the stacking mode, so all previously entered configuration information (except for the NVRAM-based stacking parameters, selected image, and failsafe account information) is not available.

    Step 10. Login to the intended master node and verify the stack type "show stacking", "show slot", and "show stacking configuration" commands.

    Step 11. If the stack configuration is successful:
    All nodes are visible in the stack.
    All nodes move to the active state.
    Some time after the nodes become active, each node is present in the configured slot.
    After the roles are finalized, you can see one master node, one backup.


    Step 12. Verify that the master node is the one you intended to be the master.


    ======================================================================

    * Helpful articles on building a stack:

    How to create a stack:
    How to replace a node in a stack:
    How to add a node to a SummitStack:
    How to troubleshoot a node not receiving a role:
    Why do I lose my current configuration when I build a stack:
    How to setup up a stack with a X460-G2, X460-G1 and a X440-G1.

    Note: there are community created scripts available to help with converting configurations to stacking.


    * Helpful articles on configuring a stack:
    How to change master capability on a slot in a stack:
    How to disable stacking in EXOS:
    How to configure alternate stacking:
    How to upgrade EXOS on summit stack:
    How to failover current backup to become Master


    * Helpful articles on troubleshooting stacking:
    Failed Slot:

    Conduit receive error in logs:


    * Helpful articles on configuring a stack for unique hardware:
    Configuring a Summit X670V for native stacking with a VIM4-40G4X module:
    Stacking port and up-link behavior while configuring a VIM4G4X in a X670V:
    Stacking with X460-G2-10G4:

    * Additional KBs:


    1 comment:

    dano said...

    How does one roll back firmware? I updated the firmware in the stack and it is causing issues with DHCP relay. I see instructions to boot to the older partition but am confused if the command is the same for stack? use partition [primary | secondary] or is it: use image primary slot Slot-1, there are three switches in the stack.

    I appreciate you. Your pages are super useful.