96 PowerConnect B-Series FCX Configuration Guide
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IronStack overview
5
• Active Controller, Standby Controller, and member units in a stack
• Active Controller management of entire stack
• Active Controller download of software images to all stack units
• Standby Controller for stack redundancy
• Active Controller maintenance of information database for all stack units
• Packet switching in hardware between ports on stack units
• All protocols operate on an IronStack in the same way as on a chassis system.
Stackable models
PowerConnect B-Series FCX devices
All PowerConnect B-Series FCXdevices can be active members of a IronStack. PowerConnect
B-Series FCX-E and PowerConnect B-Series FCX-I models require an optional 10 Gbps SFP+ module
to support stacking. For information about how to install PowerConnect B-Series FCX devices, see
the PowerConnect B-FCX Switch Hardware Installation Guide.
All PowerConnect B-Series FCX devices can be ordered from the factory as -ADV models with
support for Layer 3 BGP.
IronStack terminology
Stack unit roles:
• Active Controller - Handles stack management and configures all system- and interface-level
features.
• Future Active Controller - The unit that will take over as Active Controller after the next
reload, if its priority has been changed to the highest priority. When a priority for a stack
unit is changed to be higher than the existing Active Controller, the takeover does not
happen immediately to prevent disruptions in the stack operation.
• Standby Controller - The stack member with the highest priority after the Active Controller. The
Standby Controller takes over if the current Active Controller fails.
• Stack Member - A unit functioning in the stack in a capacity other than Active or Standby
Controller.
• Stack Unit - Any device functioning within the stack, including the Active Controller and Standby
Controller.
• Upstream Stack Unit - An upstream unit is connected to the first stacking port on the
Active Controller. (The left-hand port as you face the stacking ports.)
• Downstream Stack Unit - A downstream unit is connected to the second stacking port on
the Active Controller. (The right-hand port as you face the stacking ports.) General
terminology
• Bootup Role - the role a unit takes during the boot sequence. This role can be standalone,
Active Controller, Standby Controller, or stack member. The Active Controller or a standalone
unit can access the full range of the CLI. Until a stack is formed, the local consoles on the
Standby Controller and stack members provide access to a limited form of the CLI, such as the
