topic Two EXOS stack and MLAG betwen them in ExtremeSwitching (EXOS/Switch Engine)

Two EXOS stack and MLAG betwen them

Peter_Majercak — Wed, 09 Feb 2022 13:39:00 GMT

Hi guys, i have a question if it is possible to create this design.
I would like to have 2 stacks. Each stack consist from 3x 5520 24x. Nodes of each stack are conected via QSFP28 ports. Each stack member is fitted by VIM4Y module. I is possible to create MLAG connection between these two stack via VIM4Y ports?

Many thanks for your advice.

RE: Two EXOS stack and MLAG betwen them

StephenW — Thu, 10 Feb 2022 17:01:00 GMT

Hi Peter,

The 5520's are capable of stacking at V160 with QSFP+ ports U1-Port 24 and U2-port 25. If you have a 5520-VIM-4X You can stack at V80. You could use the VIM4Y for the MLAG ISC, but not for stacking.

Hope this helps!

Refrence links:

Available Stacking Methods

Native and Alternate Stacking Ports

--Stephen

RE: Two EXOS stack and MLAG betwen them

StephenW — Thu, 10 Feb 2022 17:22:00 GMT

Hi Peter,

A new update. The 5520's will support V200 Stacking in 31.6 with QSFP28 cable on ports U1 and U2 but not on the VIM4Y.

--Stephen

RE: Two EXOS stack and MLAG betwen them

Peter_Majercak — Fri, 11 Feb 2022 15:34:00 GMT

Hi Stephan,

thanks for your help, but my question is little but different.

It is possible to create MLAG connection between these(3x5520) two stack in general? No mather about port type.
I know, that in between two standalone switches via ISC link it is possible and simple, but i am not sure in case of two stacks.
Thanks.

--
peter

RE: Two EXOS stack and MLAG betwen them

Peter_Majercak — Fri, 11 Feb 2022 15:40:00 GMT

i just added more details

RE: Two EXOS stack and MLAG betwen them

Gabriel_G — Fri, 11 Feb 2022 17:52:00 GMT

Hi Peter,

MLAG between 2 stacks is fine. Let me highlight this section of the EXOS User Guide:

https://documentation.extremenetworks.com/exos_31.4/downloads/EXOS_User_Guide_31.4.pdf
Page 278: MLAG Limitations And Requirements:

The MLAG feature has the following limitations:
•MLAG peer switches must be of the same platform family. The following MLAG peers are allowed:
◦ExtremeSwitching switches with ExtremeSwitching switches
◦SummitStack with SummitStack
Note
•In the case of ExtremeSwitching standalone switches, it is strongly recommended that MLAG peer switches be of the same type.
•In the case of SummitStack switches, we recommend that the MLAG ports be from slots of similar capability.
•Layer 2 protocols such as EAPS or STP (Spanning Tree Protocol) will be configured to not allow the blocking of the ISC.
•The number of MLAG ports for each pair of switches is limited to 768.
•MLAG peers should run the same version of ExtremeXOS for proper functioning.
<Etc.>

Re: Two EXOS stack and MLAG betwen them

Fredrik_Jansson — Mon, 04 Mar 2024 10:29:13 GMT

Hi,
I came across your post about using MLAG between two EXOS stacks.

Did you ever implement something like that or did you find an answer why is was not possible or not a good idea?

I found this guide...
https://extreme-networks.my.site.com/ExtrArticleDetail?an=000082635

But I feel complexity might rise quite fast in a small network...

BR
Fredrik

Re: Two EXOS stack and MLAG betwen them

Stefan_K_ — Mon, 04 Mar 2024 15:59:55 GMT

Hi @Fredrik_Jansson

Why shouldn't it work? 🙂

MLAG is great and the complexity isn't that much higher. You will have to use VRRP if the switches are routing in your network and you have to execute the commands on two switches instead of one, but orchestration mode can be used, to reflect the issued commands on the MLAG peer.