topic VSB alternative in XOS in ExtremeSwitching (EXOS/Switch Engine)

VSB alternative in XOS

Don1 — Fri, 03 Mar 2017 10:38:00 GMT

I have 4 x460-G2 switches at site A and 4 x460-G2 switches at site B that are some distance apart. In EOS, you could use VSB to achieve a cluster over WAN. How can I achieve the same thing using XOS? Does anyone know the commands I would need to use? Thanks.

RE: VSB alternative in XOS

Andre_Brits_Kan — Fri, 03 Mar 2017 15:35:00 GMT

Hi Don
You can "Stack" the two 460's using normal 10Gbe SFP+ link between the two switches.
VSB also required this type of link.

RE: VSB alternative in XOS

Don1 — Fri, 03 Mar 2017 21:34:00 GMT

Yes, but I need to manage all 8 switches as 1 cluster. The sites are over 10 miles apart from one another.

RE: VSB alternative in XOS

Henrique — Sat, 04 Mar 2017 00:48:00 GMT

Hi Don, that's exactly what Andre described.

You can build an stack through 10Gb SFP+ and manage all units (entire stack) using just 1 ipaddress.

RE: VSB alternative in XOS

Drew_C — Sat, 04 Mar 2017 02:59:00 GMT

Hi Don, I'm curious why you need to have all 8 managed together.
I'd strongly recommend against building a stack over a WAN link. If it's dedicated fiber, you'd be in better shape. Slots on the "far" side will need some additional configuration to make them master-capable in case that link goes down. Otherwise they'll reboot and you'll have problems.

It would be much better to build two stacks of 4 and (assuming there is more than one WAN connection) LAG the WAN links across the master and backup slots.

RE: VSB alternative in XOS

Don1 — Sat, 04 Mar 2017 03:37:00 GMT

Drew,

The switches are in different locations. In EOS, VSB allowed you to virtually bond switches together. I would like to be able to do the same in XOS due to distance of sites and switches in each location. Each switched is routed to a different Cisco core.

RE: VSB alternative in XOS

Erik_Auerswald — Mon, 06 Mar 2017 16:04:00 GMT

Hi Don,

VSB is similar to EXOS virtual stacking (i.e. using 10G or 40G links instead of specific stacking ports&cables). Thus you can use an EXOS stack where you would have used EOS VSB.

Please take a look at Getting started with Summit Stacking and the EXOS Stacking Tool.

But like Drew I would advise against creating one stack or VSB stretched over two separate sites.

Erik

RE: VSB alternative in XOS

Don1 — Mon, 06 Mar 2017 22:07:00 GMT

Thank you for all the replies. All the replies were very helpful and would work normally.My problem lies in the fact that we are unable to connect the switches physically to one another, due to architectural and budgeting constraints. Hence the reason for my question. I could accomplish this in EOS using VSB. Is there anything in XOS that I could use to accomplish this task?

RE: VSB alternative in XOS

Daniel_B — Tue, 07 Mar 2017 19:29:00 GMT

Hi Don,

what connection do you physicaly have between the 2 locations? The media for VSB is nearly the same as for stacking.

Daniel

RE: VSB alternative in XOS

Don1 — Tue, 07 Mar 2017 19:29:00 GMT

Daniel,

Thanks for the response. The sites are not physically linked.

Don

RE: VSB alternative in XOS

PeterK — Wed, 08 Mar 2017 19:58:00 GMT

for EOS VSB and XOS STACKING you will need a darkfiber between your locations...
diference: XOS Stack has no option for HA-Software-Upgrade; In EOS VSB you can often do a HA-upgrade but not in all steps...

RE: VSB alternative in XOS

Don1 — Wed, 08 Mar 2017 19:58:00 GMT

Peter,

Thanks for the information. Can you elaborate a little more? Can you provide the command lines I would need?

Don