Netgear NETGEAR Manual Do Utilizador

12-2

Managing Switch Stacks

A switch stack is identified in the network by its network IP address. The network IP address is 
assigned according to the MAC address of the stack master. Every stack member is uniquely 
identified by its own stack member number.

All stack members are eligible stack masters. If the stack master becomes unavailable, the 
remaining stack members participate in electing a new stack master from among themselves. A set 
of factors determine which switch is elected the stack master. These factors are:

1.

The switch who is master always has priority to retain the role of master

2.

Assigned priority

3.

MAC address

If the master cannot be selected by (1), then (2) is used. If (2) does not resolve which stack member 
becomes stack master, then (3) is used.

The stack master contains the saved and running configuration files for the switch stack. The 
configuration files include the system-level settings for the switch stack and the interface-level 
settings for all stack members. Each stack member retains a copy of the saved file for backup 
purposes.

If the master is removed from the stack, another member will be elected master, and will then run 
from that saved configuration.

You can use these methods to manage switch stacks:

•

Stack web interface

•

Command line interface (CLI) over a serial connection to the console port of the master

•

A network management application through the Simple Network Management Protocol 
(SNMP)

A switch stack has up to eight stack members connected through their stacking ports. A switch 
stack always has one stack master.

A standalone switch is a switch stack with one stack member that also operates as the stack master. 
You can connect one standalone switch to another to create a switch stack containing two stack 
members, with one of them being the stack master. You can connect standalone switches to an 
existing switch stack to increase the stack membership.