topic Re: X440 Stack master and standby in ExtremeSwitching (EXOS/Switch Engine)

X440 Stack master and standby

Mateusz_Haba — Tue, 21 Jul 2020 15:41:31 GMT

Hi,

Recently, I created a stack in daisy-chain topology consisting of 2 X440-G2-48p-10G4 switches.

Stack created fine, but the second node (slot 2) became standby whereas should be a backup node.

I did reboot of the whole stack a couple of times but that didn’t help. Should I try to reboot slot 2 as a master capable? Here are some details:

Slot-1 X440-Office # show stacking detail
Stacking Node 00:04:96:9e:7a:f2 information:
Current:
Stacking : Enabled
Role : Master
Priority : Automatic
Slot number : 1
Stack state : Active
Master capable? : Yes
Stacking protocol : Enhanced
License level restriction : <none>
In active topology? : Yes
Factory MAC address : 00:04:96:9e:7a:f2
Stack MAC address : 02:04:96:9e:7a:f2
Alternate IP address : <none>
Alternate gateway : <none>
Stack Port 1:
State : Link down
Blocked? : No
Control path active? : No
Selection : Alternate (49)
Stack Port 2:
State : Operational
Blocked? : No
Control path active? : Yes
Selection : Alternate (50)
Configured:
Stacking : Enabled
Master capable? : Yes
Slot number : 1
Stack MAC address : 02:04:96:9e:7a:f2
Stacking protocol : Enhanced
License level restriction : <none>
Stack Port 1:
Selection : Alternate (49)
Stack Port 2:
Selection : Alternate (50)

Stacking Node 00:04:96:cc:d6:d7 information:
Current:
Stacking : Enabled
Role : Standby
Priority : Automatic
Slot number : 2
Stack state : Active
Master capable? : No
Stacking protocol : Enhanced

Slot-1 information:
State: Operational
Description: none
Download %: 100
Restart count: 0 (limit 5)
Serial number: 800618-00-11 1721N-42040
Hw Module Type: X440G2-48p-10G4
SW Version: 30.4.1.2
SW Build: 30.4.1.2
Configured Type: X440G2-48p-10G4
Ports available: 52
Recovery Mode: Reset
Node MAC: 02:04:96:9E:7A:F2
Current State: MASTER
Image Selected: primary
Image Booted: primary
Primary ver: 30.4.1.2
Secondary ver: 22.4.1.4
Config Selected: primary.cfg

Slot-2 information:
State: Operational
Description: none
Download %: 100
Restart count: 0 (limit 5)
Serial number: 800618-00-18 1915N-41867
Hw Module Type: X440G2-48p-10G4
SW Version: 30.4.1.2
SW Build: 30.4.1.2
Configured Type:
Ports available: 52
Recovery Mode: Reset
Node MAC: 02:04:96:9E:7A:F2
Current State: STANDBY
Image Selected: primary
Image Booted: primary
Primary ver: 30.4.1.2
Secondary ver: 30.4.1.2
Config Selected: primary.cfg

I used port 50 (alternate) for stacking.

Re: X440 Stack master and standby

Stefan_K_ — Tue, 21 Jul 2020 16:44:51 GMT

Greetings,

In a daisy-chain topology (which is not recommended), Easy Setup designates the node at the beginning of the chain as the master, and executes the command configure stacking redundancy none.

I think this is the problem. Can you test if you have the chance to execute the command “configure stacking redundancy minimal”?

Best regards
Stefan

Re: X440 Stack master and standby

BradP — Tue, 21 Jul 2020 17:09:05 GMT

1. configure stacking slot 2 master on

2. reboot slot 2

3. enjoy.

Re: X440 Stack master and standby

Mateusz_Haba — Tue, 21 Jul 2020 17:14:51 GMT

Thank you for you comment Stefan. I did it on Slot 1 and it worked! I missed that part in manual.

However, I was surprised because I always stack 2 switches like that and never had such issue. Weird.

Thanks for help!

Re: X440 Stack master and standby

FredrikB — Fri, 24 Jul 2020 14:16:45 GMT

I would not do a daisy-chain topology. Always try to make it a ring if at all possible. If only one cable or port breaks you have a split-brain stack and most likely a wire-speed loop on your hands.

Re: X440 Stack master and standby

Mateusz_Haba — Fri, 24 Jul 2020 14:43:34 GMT

How else could I make a stack of 2 switches?

Re: X440 Stack master and standby

Ronald_Dvorak — Fri, 24 Jul 2020 14:53:55 GMT

2 Switches but use 2 Stacking links/cables = a ring 🙂

-Ron