What makes a switch stackable

In stackable switches, the stack is usually built with cables that connect all the switches in a specific topology. The stacking topology also define the resiliency of the stacked solution, you can have typically different kind of cabling options depending on the switch vendor and models :.

For example, the Aruba Switch Series uses a dedicated stack module on the back and supports all those topologies the ring topology only with a single ring. Why Use Stacking? One of the major benefits of using stacking depending on the vendor is the logical switch view with a single management interface, which makes the management and operational tasks very easy.

Compared to the modular switch option, stackable switches provide a less expensive option especially for SMB use cases , but with similar scalability and usually with better flexibility. Resiliency and performance can be different worse or better depending on the implementation. With regards to flexibility, you can usually mix a combination of different port speed and media types, but also mix different models of switches with also different capabilities for example, some switches with PoE functions.

Check the interface information. The master switch will show all the interface. Here are some frequently asked topics about switch stacking which will help to get a more comprehensive understanding of it. Both stacking switches and chassis provide benefits of multiple ports combined with the convenience of managing one device. However, each has its pros and cons you need to consider.

A chassis switch is a network switch that contains a certain number of fixed slots, into which various types of line cards can be inserted. Different from a stack that is formed by several stackable switches that are connected through stacking cables, a chassis switch doesn't need to connect switches because fixed modules are inside it.

MLAG and stacking are often compared together because they are both scalable solutions that can provide link redundancy, reduce network complexity and improve network performance. However, there are also some differences between them. MLAG, which refers to multi-device link aggregation group, is commonly used in the data center access layer.

While switch stacking is mostly seen in the enterprise access layer, better in its simple management and low operation and maintenance costs. Switch stacking, cascading and clustering have both similarities and differences in various aspects.

The differences between them are listed below. Stacking and clustering are functions of network switches while cascading is a general way to connect switches. You can only take stackable switches of the same model from one vendor and stack them, but in terms of cascading, switches from different vendors can be cascaded, while a cluster must be the switches from the same vendor. Attention reader! Switch Type Description Access layer switches Switches which are connected to the end user devices.

Distribution layer switch Switches which connects all access layer and core switches. They distribute network traffic from core to access layer switches.

They are generally more powerful than access layer switches. Core switches These are inner most switches in a LAN. All the LAN network traffic arrives at this switch through Edge router and then it transfers the traffic to distribution layer switches. There will be a large no of access layer switches and you have to configure almost similar configuration on switch each one by one. In real world, switches sits in a wiring closest. Resources play a pivotal role in the scalability and performance of a network.

That is why networking equipment management includes comparing chassis-based and stackable switches in reference to network requirements. Stackable solutions can be scaled up with the addition of new units.

Both stackable and modular chassis units offer the benefit of single-system management, though stackable networking equipment may require a lower financial investment initially.

Comms Express is your networking leader with innovative stackable switch solutions.