Allied Telesis AlliedWare Plus Operating System Version 5.4.4C (x310-26FT,x310-26FP,x310-50FT,x310-50FP) - Manual (Page 2116)

VCStack Introduction
Software Reference for x310 Series Switches
82.2 AlliedWare Plus TM Operating System - Version 5.4.4C C613-50046-01 REV A
VCStack Introduction
This chapter describes Virtual Chassis Stacking (VCStack), its features, and basic
connection examples. For detailed descriptions of the commands used to configure
VCStack, see
Chapter 83, Stacking Commands . Also, see Alliedware Telesis Support
Documentation for detailed instructions on how to install this feature.
VCStack is a group of physically separate switches that are configured to operate as a
single logical switch. In order to function as a VCStack, its component switches are
connected using high-speed stacking links.
Features of Virtual Chassis Stacking
Creating a VCStack greatly eases network management, because you can configure all the
stacked devices via a single IP address. Creating a VCStack will often eliminate your need
to configure protocols such as VRRP and Spanning Tree. VCStack also enables you to
create highly resilient networks. This resiliency can be applied in several ways.
Within the stack itself, switch interconnection is via two links. The second link is able to
provide an alternative data path, thus the stack will continue to function if a single switch
fails. Degraded performance might occur however, due to the reduced VCStack
bandwidth.
User ports can also be made extremely resilient by utilizing link aggregation. Aggregated
links can span ports, modules, and even switches within the stack. Creating aggregated
links that span multiple switches within a stack creates an extremely resilient
configuration. Communication will still exist even if a switch and its aggregated ports fail.
Refer to
Figure 82-6 on page 82.6.
VCStack Capable Switches
VCStack is supported on the following Allied Telesis switch types:
■ SwitchBlade
®
x8100 Series (VCStack Plus)
■ x900-24XT, x900-24XS, x900-24XT-N
■ x900-12XT/s
■ SwitchBlade
®
x908
■ x610 Series
■ x510 Series
■ IX5-28GPX
■ x310 Series
Caution Stack operation is only supported if stack virtual-mac is enabled.
For more information refer to:
“Enabling the stack virtual-mac” on page 82.11 and
“stack virtual-mac” on page 83.28
Note You can only create VCStacks using switches from within the same product group, for
example,
all x310 Series switches, all x510 Series switches, or all x610 Series switches.