Cisco switch cluster technology: scalable stack architecture

Investment Protection and Development Options

With the development and changes of the Enterprise, you can leverage the Scalable Cisco stack architecture to ensure the synchronous development of your LAN. Cisco provides the industry's most flexible, scalable, and manageable stacking architecture for the Catalyst 3500 XL series and the Catalyst 2900 XL series switches with gigabit performance. You can create a switch stack in the same wiring room, or use the Cisco switch cluster technology to create a cluster extending beyond the wiring room. Either way, all vswitches are managed by one IP address. Both options allow you to create stacks that combine existing and new Cisco devices to protect your LAN investment.

Flexible Stack

You can use a low-cost Cisco GigaStackTM GBIC to insert a Gigabit Ethernet port, stack the Catalyst 3500 XL series switches and the Catalyst 2900 XL series switches with gigabit performance. The 2-port GigaStack GBIC provides 2 Gbit/s connection from a dedicated switch to a switch configuration, and 1 Gbit/s connection in the chrysanthemum link configuration.

Breakthrough Cisco switch cluster technology

You can use the new Cisco switch cluster technology to achieve scalability and manageability beyond the stack. You can configure any Catalyst 3500 XL series or 2900 XL series standard or enterprise switch as a "command" switch, and then connect the command switch to 15 member switches anywhere on the LAN, includes any combination of Catalyst 3500 XL, 2900 XL, or 1900 and 2820 switches. The command switch runs as a single IP address management point and distributes all management commands provided by the network administrator, which simplifies management in the stack architecture. Based on performance, management, and cost requirements, you can mix and match the following connections, including: Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Fast EtherChannel®Low-cost Cisco GigaStack GBIC, Gigabit Ethernet, And Gigabit EtherChannel.

Simple Web-based Switch management: Cisco Visual Switch Manager)　

The Catalyst 3500 XL series Switch comes with a Web-based Cisco Visual Switch Manager (CVSM) that allows network administrators to configure standard browsers such as Microsoft Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator from the network) view and manage vswitches in any PC. CVSM is released from the vswitch itself. It allows you to configure ports, establish VLANs, observe network activities, and monitor the connection status. As an integral part of Cisco's scalable stack architecture, CVSM allows you to easily configure and manage stacks and switch clusters and use one command to manage software upgrades across multiple switches.

1. Introduction to Cisco 3750 switch Stack
2. Cisco switch FAQ