Stacking Deployment Introduction
This section provides guidance for constructing a new stack, adding new members, replacing members, or adding new links within a stack. These tasks can be performed in several different ways. This section describes the most common methods. Other methods are discussed in more detail elsewhere in the guide.
Each ICX platform supports a specific maximum number of stack units. The valid stack unit IDs must be configured accordingly.
Maximum Stack Units Supported per Platform
| Platform | Maximum Stack Units | Valid Stack Unit IDs |
|---|---|---|
| ICX 8100 | 4 | 1–4 |
| ICX 7150 | 8 | 1–8 |
| ICX 8200 | 12 | 1–12 |
| ICX 7850 | 12 | 1–12 |
| ICX 7550 | 12 | 1–12 |
| ICX 7650 | 12 | 1–12 |
To optimize deployment and scalability across hardware models, the supported maximum number of stack units is determined dynamically at runtime on the device, not hardcoded into the FastIron firmware at compile time. This runtime methodology ensures flexibility and compatibility across platforms while maintaining platform-specific stack limits. For example, the ICX 8100 and ICX 8200 platforms use the same image file, but they support a different maximum number of stack units.
Considerations
- Adding new units or new links without spanning tree protocols (STP) may create loops. Loops cause high traffic in the affected ports and may cause high CPU usage if the looped packets are trapped to the CPU. As a result, failure to enable STP in a stack may have significant impact on traffic in a production environment. Starting from FastIron release 09.0.00, STP is enabled by default.
- ICX 7150 devices must pre-load licenses to enable 10-Gbps stacking ports that allow a unit to join a stack. Refer to the RUCKUS FastIron Software Licensing Guide for details on ICX licenses.
Best Practices
RUCKUS recommends the following best practices to support consistent stack configuration and ensure platform compatibility.