Managing the standby unit ..............................55 3.1.1 Command-line interface method ..........................55 3.1.2 Web interface method ..............................56 Appendix A – Commands used in this document ......................59 Appendix B - Network switch versions ..........................60 Stacking Dell Networking Switches: N4032, N4032F, N4064, N4064F...
Introduction Most Dell switches today include a stacking feature that allows multiple switches to operate as a single unit. These stacks include up to twelve Dell Networking N4032/N4032F/N4064/N4064F switches in any combination, using up to four links between stack members. Any Ethernet port type on the front panel can be used in creating these links, including SFP+, QSFP+, and 10GbaseT.
The firmware must be applied to the switches before they are added to the stack. Dell Networking N4000 switches cannot be downgraded to 5.x.x.x releases like the 81xx can. Refer to the N4xxx Release Notes for more information.
Since these are stack-capable devices, an un-stacked device is still considered a stack of one. Here is an example configuration of a device that is stacked. Stacking Dell Networking Switches: N4032, N4032F, N4064, N4064F...
2. The switch has the higher MAC address. 3. A unit is selected as standby by the administrator, and a fail over action is manually initiated or occurs due to a Master unit failure. Stacking Dell Networking Switches: N4032, N4032F, N4064, N4064F...
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Preconfig Plugged-in Switch Code Status Status Model ID Model ID Status Version --- ---------- --------- ---------- ------------- ---------- --------- Mgmt Sw Ν4032 Ν4032 ΟΚ 6.0.1.3 Stack Mbr Oper Stby N4032F N4032F 6.0.1.3 Stacking Dell Networking Switches: N4032, N4032F, N4064, N4064F...
System Description: Dell Ethernet Switch System Up Time: 0 days, 00h:12m:53s Burned In MAC Address: D067.E594.1475 Or from the Web UI, go to the System > General > System Information page: Stacking Dell Networking Switches: N4032, N4032F, N4064, N4064F...
Consult the table of contents above for a list of examples covered in this document. Each scenario in this document assumes that all Dell switches are using the same firmware revision. It is also recommended that all devices are using the latest firmware version.
Also, when in port mode 4x10G it is required that all four of the breakout ports be moved from Ethernet mode to Stack mode to use them for stacking. Stacking Dell Networking Switches: N4032, N4032F, N4064, N4064F...
The Dell N4000 series switches can be stacked up to twelve high, supporting up to 672x10G ports when two 40G ports on each unit are configured as stacking ports. The stack can contain any combination of Dell N4000 and Dell N4000F switches.
Figure 10 shows an example of connecting four stack ports between each stacking peer. Note: In a stack of three or more switches, Dell strongly recommends connecting the stack in a ring topology so that each switch is connected to two other switches.
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Detach Te1/1/8 Ethernet Ethernet Detach The example above shows a Dell N4032F with a QSFP+ two-port expansion module installed. The two F01/1/1 F01/1/2 40G QSFP+ ports are represented by interfaces . We will use these two interfaces for stacking in the example below.
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All subsequent switches will enter the stack as Member Units. Stack Member units serial ports and management IP addresses are not accessible for managing those devices. Only the Master’s management ports can be used to monitor and configure ports in the stack. Stacking Dell Networking Switches: N4032, N4032F, N4064, N4064F...
To view only ports that are configured for stacking, use the command show switch stack-ports | include Stack. Figure 11 shows the Stack LED that is located on the back panel of every Dell N4000 series switch. Figure 11 Stacking LED for the Dell N4000/N4000F series switch When the switch is the Master of a stack, the LED glows solid blue.
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User Guide for more information regarding username, password, and Web access. After login, the first screen to appear is the Home screen, which shows the current stacking member number. Before stacking, the single member has the Stack number of 1 (one). Stacking Dell Networking Switches: N4032, N4032F, N4064, N4064F...
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Ethernet to Stack. Stack Click Apply. This will set the Configured Stack Mode to , but the Running Stack Mode remains Ethernet until the switch is reloaded as instructed below. Stacking Dell Networking Switches: N4032, N4032F, N4064, N4064F...
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Only the Master’s management ports can be used to monitor and configure ports in the stack. Validation 2.2.2.1 After the entire stack is created, it can be validated from the Master switch Web UI by going to System > Stack Management > Stack Summary. Stacking Dell Networking Switches: N4032, N4032F, N4064, N4064F...
The following figure shows shows the Stack LED that is located on the back panel of every Dell N4000 series switch. Figure 12 Stacking LED for the Dell N4000/N4000F series switch When the switch is the Master of a stack, the LED glows solid blue. If it is a stack member only, it glows solid amber.
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Master. Use the System > Stack Management > Stack Firmware Synchronization page to view and set these features. Save the configuration to the Startup-Configuration on the System > File Management > Copy Files page. Stacking Dell Networking Switches: N4032, N4032F, N4064, N4064F...
. These two interfaces will be used for stacking in the example below, though any of the interfaces listed may be used. Perform the following commands to convert each desired port to Stack mode. Stacking Dell Networking Switches: N4032, N4032F, N4064, N4064F...
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Adding a new switch to the either end of the daisy-chain allows all other members to stay in constant communication and in turn allow the stack to stay intact during the process. Stacking Dell Networking Switches: N4032, N4032F, N4064, N4064F...
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Validation 2.3.1.2 After the entire stack is created, it can be validated with the show switch command from the Master switch: console#show switch Management Standby Preconfig Plugged-in Switch Code Stacking Dell Networking Switches: N4032, N4032F, N4064, N4064F...
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N4032 6.0.1.3 The example above shows a new stack member (N4032) was added. The show switch stack-ports command can also be used to see all of the ports that have been added to the stack as well as which ones are being used for stacking.
F01/0/2 will be used for stacking, though any of the interfaces shown may be used. Be sure to configure enough stack ports to connect to two other switches if using a ring topology stack, to allow connections to switches in both directions. Stacking Dell Networking Switches: N4032, N4032F, N4064, N4064F...
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, but the Running Stack-mode does not show Stack until the switch is reloaded, as instructed below. Save the configuration to the Startup-Configuration using the System > File Management > Copy Files page. After saving the configuration, remove power from the switch. Stacking Dell Networking Switches: N4032, N4032F, N4064, N4064F...
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7. Plug the remaining cable ends (removed in step 2) into the remaining stack ports configured on the new switch unit. 8. Power up the new switch. The switch will be added to the stack. Allow a few minutes for the new switch to boot up completely. Stacking Dell Networking Switches: N4032, N4032F, N4064, N4064F...
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Use the IP address and console port of the Master unit for management access, since the stack now acts as a single large switch. Repeat the above steps to add more new members to the stack. Stacking Dell Networking Switches: N4032, N4032F, N4064, N4064F...
Source File Path....... ./ Source Filename........ N4000v6.0.1.3.stk Data Type........Code Destination Filename......backup Management access will be blocked for the duration of the transfer Are you sure you want to start? (y/n) y Stacking Dell Networking Switches: N4032, N4032F, N4064, N4064F...
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Activating image backup .. console#show version Image Descriptions active : backup : Images currently available on Flash unit active backup current-active next-active ----- ------------ ------------ ----------------- ----------------- 6.0.0.8 6.0.1.3 6.0.0.8 6.0.1.3 6.0.0.8 6.0.1.3 6.0.0.8 6.0.1.3 Stacking Dell Networking Switches: N4032, N4032F, N4064, N4064F...
To find the firmware versions the stack members are using, select System > File Management > Active Images. Look in the “Current Active Image Version” column to find which version is enabled. Note: All switches in the stack should be at the same firmware version. Stacking Dell Networking Switches: N4032, N4032F, N4064, N4064F...
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TFTP server. From the System > File Management > File Download page, select the appropriate settings. The most common settings are shown here. Click Apply. A warning will appear. Stacking Dell Networking Switches: N4032, N4032F, N4064, N4064F...
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The following screen appears for several minutes while the firmware is being downloaded to the Master and distributed to all members of the stack. Once the file has been distributed to the entire stack, the following dialog box appears. Stacking Dell Networking Switches: N4032, N4032F, N4064, N4064F...
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The next step is to activate the image that contains the new firmware using the drop-down menus in the Next Active Image column. In this example the backup image is selected for each unit. Stacking Dell Networking Switches: N4032, N4032F, N4064, N4064F...
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Go to the System > General > Reset page to reload the switch. Click Apply to reload all switches in the stack. If the following screen appears, click OK. Click OK again if this screen appears. Stacking Dell Networking Switches: N4032, N4032F, N4064, N4064F...
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Newer firmware can have dozens of valuable bug fixes that will not be there on the older firmware. Stacking Dell Networking Switches: N4032, N4032F, N4064, N4064F...
A blinking LED light can be generated on the back of each Dell N4xxx to locate each physical unit. This blinking LED is useful when identifying physical units and ports for running diags, sniffing, mirroring ports, and other basic troubleshooting. It is also helpful when adding, removing, replacing or tracing cables...
In the example below (Figure 13), the red cable is removed along with the switch. SWITCH TO BE REMOVED FROM STACK 10GBASE-T MODULE Figure 13 Cabling of three stacked units Stacking Dell Networking Switches: N4032, N4032F, N4064, N4064F...
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Status Status Model ID Model ID Status Version --- ---------- --------- ------------- ------------- ------------- ------- Mgmt Sw N4032 N4032 6.0.1.3 Unassigned N4032F Not Present 0.0.0.0 Stack Mbr Oper Stby N4064 N4064 6.0.1.3 Stacking Dell Networking Switches: N4032, N4032F, N4064, N4064F...
Caution: Renumbering stack units may hinder management scripts and monitoring software that collects data based on particular port traffic. Use renumbering with caution when monitoring ports and be aware that scripts and monitoring parameters may need to be modified. Stacking Dell Networking Switches: N4032, N4032F, N4064, N4064F...
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The command below shows a Config Mismatch with a preconfigured model of N4032F and a plugged-in model of N4032 for Unit 3.
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--- ---------- --------- ------------- ------------- ------------- --------- Stack Mbr Oper Stby N4032F N4032F 6.0.1.3 Unassigned N4032 Not Present 0.0.0.0 Mgmt Sw N4064 N4064 6.0.1.3 4. Notice the Preconfig Model ID has changed from N4032F to N4032. Stacking Dell Networking Switches: N4032, N4032F, N4064, N4064F...
This information is found at System > Stack Management > Stack Port Summary. Stacking Dell Networking Switches: N4032, N4032F, N4064, N4064F...
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A blinking LED light is generated on the of each Dell N4xxx to locate each physical unit. This blinking LED is useful when identifying physical units and ports for running diags, sniffing, mirroring ports, and other basic troubleshooting. It is also helpful when needing to add, remove, replace or trace cables associated with these interfaces.
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Use the freed cables or new cables to connect the two switches together that were previously adjacent to the switch being removed. Since there are multiple interface and cable types supported for stacking, a different set of cables may be required to make this connection. Stacking Dell Networking Switches: N4032, N4032F, N4064, N4064F...
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Once a unit has been physically removed, it may be desired to remove it from the configuration as well, if there are no plans on restoring it later. For the above example Unit 2 was removed; however, the Stack Summary screen continues to show the removed switch in the configuration. Stacking Dell Networking Switches: N4032, N4032F, N4064, N4064F...
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Stack Summary screen to verify the switch was removed. running-configuration startup-configuration A backup of the configuration (copying the to the ) in System > File Management > Copy Files is required to make the change persist after a reload. Stacking Dell Networking Switches: N4032, N4032F, N4064, N4064F...
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2-4), it will require a brief reset of the stack and clear the configuration of the interfaces on the switch receiving the new number. View the System > Stack Management > Stack Summary to see the current numbering of each unit. Stacking Dell Networking Switches: N4032, N4032F, N4064, N4064F...
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Apply. Click OK on the next screen. Allow a few minutes for the switch to renumber, then verify the new ID from the System > Stack Management > Stack Summary screen. Stacking Dell Networking Switches: N4032, N4032F, N4064, N4064F...
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Stack Summary screen to verify the switch was removed. A backup of the configuration running-configuration startup-configuration (copying the to the ) in System > File Management > Copy Files is required to make the change persist after a reload. Stacking Dell Networking Switches: N4032, N4032F, N4064, N4064F...
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“Remove” tool in System > Stack Management > Unit Configuration > Detail tab, then added back using the “Add” tool in System > Stack Management > Unit Configuration > Add tab. Stacking Dell Networking Switches: N4032, N4032F, N4064, N4064F...
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3. When it is removed from the stack it will retain the assignment of unit 3 until changed by the administrator. For instructions on how to make this change, see Renumbering stack page 42. Stacking Dell Networking Switches: N4032, N4032F, N4064, N4064F...
In the event there is a need to change the role of the Master or make the Standby the Master, use the initiate failover command from the Command Line Interface. This command results in a warm restart of the stack Master, triggering the Standby unit to take over as a new Master switch. Stacking Dell Networking Switches: N4032, N4032F, N4064, N4064F...
As shown in the below example, Unit 3 is the Master and Unit 2 is the Standby. To change the standby to a different unit, go to the System > Stack Management > Unit Configuration screen. Stacking Dell Networking Switches: N4032, N4032F, N4064, N4064F...
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Configuration Saved! Management unit will be reloaded. Are you sure you want to failover to the backup unit? (y/n) y This message is seen in telnet sessions. Connection to host lost. Stacking Dell Networking Switches: N4032, N4032F, N4064, N4064F...
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Master switch will now be activated for management. The IP and MAC addresses of the stack remains the same with the new Master. If using a telnet session, log in using the same IP address as before. Stacking Dell Networking Switches: N4032, N4032F, N4064, N4064F...
3 (from config-stack#) Changes the standby to another unit initiate failover (from config-stack#) Causes Master to failover to the standby member 3 1 (from config-stack#) Preconfigures a unit to be added later Stacking Dell Networking Switches: N4032, N4032F, N4064, N4064F...
Version information for the network switches used in creating this document are as follows: Network switch Dell N4000 Software version 6.0.0.8, 6.0.1.1, 6.0.1.3 About Dell Dell is a leading technology provider to commercial and public enterprises around the world. Stacking Dell Networking Switches: N4032, N4032F, N4064, N4064F...