Extreme Networks Technical Brief: SummitStack, Extreme Networks Virtual Chassis Stacking Technology

SummitStack, Extreme Networks Virtual Chassis Stacking Technology

Overview
Extreme Networks offers a high-performance SummitStack solution that allows up to eight Summit switches to join a virtual chassis. There are exclusive cable-based forms of SummitStack as well as standard Ethernet-based versions of the technology. All forms of SummitStack allow multiple switches to be managed via a single IP address, which reduces complexity and makes management easier. As a true stacking technology, SummitStack allows switches in the stack to behave as a single virtual chassis with a distributed forwarding dataplane, rather than a set of individual switches managed through a single IP address. Extreme Networks SummitStack stacking technology enables the physical connection of up to eight individual Summit switches together as a single logical unit. This logical unit reduces the management overhead of fixed configuration switches by behaving as a single switch with a single IP address and a single point of authentication. In ExtremeXOS, Extreme Networks edge-to-core modular operating system, a stack is controlled by a master switch, called the master. The master switch is responsible for maintaining all of the software tables for all the switches in the stack. There can only be one master switch in a stack of switches. All switches in the stack, including the master switch, are called nodes. SummitStack Basics Stack up to 8 Switches 20-256Gbps Link Virtual Chassis Architecture High availability/Sub 50msec failover A stack of Summit switches can be thought of as a Virtual Chassis. Each node acts as if it was occupying a slot in a chassis and is controlled by the master. The high-speed stacking links function like the backplane links of a chassis. Stacking offers customers a flexible way to increase switch density and capacity, provides port configuration choices, and controls upfront capital requirements. SummitStack permits mixing and matching Summit switches in a multi-platform stack to provide flexible connection options, from Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet to 10 Gigabit Ethernet, in copper, Power over Ethernet (PoE), Power over Ethernet Plus (PoE-plus) and fiber optic interfaces. SummitStack Advantages Centralized Management Low Connectivity Cost Growth for Future Mix and Match (Cross-platform) Distributed Forwarding

The master switch stores any configuration information for the stack in its primary and secondary flash memory. Since the master switch has the knowledge of the state and the configuration of all the other switches in the stack, it can respond to all external requests for those switches. For example, the master switch can respond to a request for SNMP information from all ports within the stack.

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Extreme Networks Technical Brief: SummitStack, Extreme Networks Virtual Chassis Stacking Technology

SummitStack is supported through dedicated stacking port functionality with specific stack cables or through the use of existing 10 Gigabit or 40 Gigabit Ethernet ports to stack the switches together. The latter option allows for physical flexibility when stacking needs to be carried over longer distances than is supported in the dedicated stacking cables. SummitStack is an Extreme Networks solution for fixed configuration switches to provide simplified yet agile operations for scalable converged networks and data centers. Extreme Networks Stacking technology come in two basic types, SummitStack, leveraging proprietary cables and SummitStack-V, leveraging conventional Ethernet

SummitStack Varieties
Extreme Networks SummitStack is highly versatile. In addition to high-performance connectivity with proprietary stacking cables (SummitStack, SummitStack 128, SummitStack 256 and SummitStack 512), Extreme Networks also increases range and flexibility by offering stacking with conventional Ethernet connectors and optics (SummitStack-V, SummitStack-V80, SummitStack-V160 and SummitStack-V320). The following table summarizes the stacking options available on Extreme Networks stackable switches. Stacking Type SummitStack-V - Stacking using standardized media interfaces such as XFP, XENPAK, and SFP+ SummitStack - Original stacking technology with proprietary stacking cables SummitStack-V80 - High Performance stacking utilizing QSFP+ technology SummitStack-V160- High Performance stacking utilizing QSFP+ technology SummitStack-V320- High Performance stacking utilizing QSFP+ technology Performance per Link 10Gbits/sec Cable Type & Lengths 0.5m 100m SFP+, XFP, XENPAK,10GBaseT, LR Optics, 40km reach* 20G Stacking Cable 0.5m, 1.5m, 3.0m, 5.0m QSFP+ only 0.5-100m Supported Switch Types Summit X450a, X450e, X440-10G, X460, X480, X650, X670, X670V Summit X250e, X450e, X440, X450a, X460, X480, X650 (except 5m) Summit X460, X480

10Gbits/sec

20Gbits/sec

40Gbits/sec

QSFP+ only 0.5-100m

Summit X480, X650, X670V Summit X480, X650, X670V

80Gbits/sec

QSFP+ only 0.5-100m

* Future Availability

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Extreme Networks Technical Brief: SummitStack, Extreme Networks Virtual Chassis Stacking Technology

Stacking Type SummitStack-128 - High Performance stacking technology using proprietary stacking cables SummitStack-256 - High Performance stacking technology using proprietary stacking cables SummitStack-512 - High Performance stacking technology using proprietary stacking cables

Performance per Link 32Gbits/sec

Cable Type & Lengths 0.5m, 1.0m, 3.0m

Supported Switch Types Summit X480 w/ conversion cable to SummitStack 256 or SummitStack Summit X650

64Gbits/sec

0.5m, 1.0m, 3.0m

128Gbits/sec

0.5m, 1.0m, 3.0m

Summit X650

Table 1: Stacking Options Available on Extreme Networks Stackable Switches

Stack with Summit X250e Summit X450e Summit X440

Summit X250e 40G 40G 40G

Summit X450e 40G 40G, V 40G V 40G, V 40G, V 40G, V

Summit X440 40G 40G 40G 40G 40G 40G

Summit X44010G V V V V V

Summit X450a 40G 40G, V 40G V 40G, V 40G, V 40G, V

Summit X460 40G 40G, V 40G V 40G, V 40G, V, V80 40G, V, V80 40G, V, V80 V V, V80

Summit X480 40G 40G, V 40G V 40G, V 40G, V, V80

Summit X650 40G 40G, V 40G V 40G, V

Summit X670 V V V

Summit X670V V V V V, V80 V, V80, V160, V320 V, V160, V320 V V, V160, V320

Summit X440-10G Summit X450a Summit X460 Summit X480 Summit X650 Summit X670 Summit X670V 40G 40G 40G

40G, V, V80 V V

40G, V, 40G, V, V80, 128G, V80, 128G, V160, V320 V160, V320

40G

40G, V

40G

40G, V

40G, V, 40G, V, V V80, 128G, V160, V320, V160, V320 256G, 512G V V, V80 V V, V160, V320 V V

V V

V V

V V

Table 2: SummitStack Stacking Matrix

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Extreme Networks Technical Brief: SummitStack, Extreme Networks Virtual Chassis Stacking Technology

True Stacking vs. Single IP Management

Stacking is sometimes used to describe the ability to manage multiple switches via a single IP address. This single IP management can simplify management via consolidation, allowing a number of devices to be managed via a single representative switch. This feature helps IP administrators reduce complexity. Although this capability allows having one management instance, typically single IP management would not provide a method to configure data forwarding-related parameters across multiple switches simultaneously. For example, if you would like to configure VLANs that span multiple switches in the same management domain, you would need to configure them one-by-one, a time consuming task. For single IP management, the connectivity is typically via regular Ethernet technologies, such as Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet and 10 Gigabit Ethernet, hence the network connectivity and redundancy are based on the IEEE 802.1D Ethernet MAC bridging standard, which includes bridging and spanning tree protocol.

True Stacking
True stacking provides the capability for multiple stackable switches to behave as one Virtual Chassis. With true stacking technology, IT administrators benefit from consolidating the management instances for, typically, up to eight Ethernet switches, and also benefit from consolidating the switch forwarding data plane so that the stacked system behaves with the simplicity of a modular chassis system. Using true stacking, the switching system, including switching fabric, is consolidated so that all resources are centrally manageable. IT administrators may create VLANs, Link Aggregation Groups (LAGs), Access Control Lists (ACLs), plus port mirroring across ports in different switches within a stack. For true stacking, the connectivity is typically via specialized high-speed interfaces rather than standard Ethernet links. This allows the use of non-Ethernet-based protocols to provide multi-path connectivity and redundancy within a stack. Unlike other stacking solutions, SummitStack provides distributed forwarding which enable each switch within the virtual chassis to perform local switching.

The table below summarizes the comparison between single IP management and true stacking. Attribute One Management IP Address VLAN Configuration Switch Forwarding Port Mirroring Link Aggregation Stacking Link Single IP Management YES Within a single switch Typically Layer-2 Switching Only Within a single switch Within a single switch Typically Native Ethernet True Stacking YES Across all switches in stack Layer-2 or Layer-3 Switching Across all switches in stack Across all switches in stack Proprietary interface or Ethernet

Table 3: Comparison between Single IP Management and True Stacking

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Extreme Networks Technical Brief: SummitStack, Extreme Networks Virtual Chassis Stacking Technology

Stacking Options by Product

Due to physical differences (interfaces present/ available), options available for stacking the various Summit switches vary by product. Product Summit X250e Summit X440 Summit X450 Summit X460 Stacking Options SummitStack SummitStack SummitStack-V SummitStack SummitStack-V SummitStack SummitStack-V SummitStack-V80 Summit X480 SummitStack SummitStack-128 SummitStack-V SummitStack-V80 SummitStack-V160 SummitStack-V320 Product Summit X650 Stacking Options SummitStack SummitStack-256 SummitStack-512 SummitStack-V SummitStack-V160 SummitStack-V320 Summit X670V SummitStack-V SummitStack-V160 SummitStack-V320
Table 4: Stacking Options by Product

other active nodes. Switch 5 in Figure 1 has failed, and stacking is disabled on Switch 6 and Switch 7. Switch 8 has no power, so the active topology includes the following switches: Switch 1, Switch 2, Switch 3, and Switch 4.

Switch 1

Active Topology Stack Topology

Switch 2 Switch 3 Switch 4 Switch 5 Switch 6 Switch 7 Switch 8

Stack

Failed Node
s

SummitStack Disabled SummitStack Disabled No Power

5333-01

Figure 1: Stack vs. Stack Topology vs. Active Topology

Ring Topology
SummitStack nodes should be connected to each other in a ring topology. In a ring topology, one link is used to connect to a node and the other link is used to connect to another node. The result forms a physical ring connection. This topology is highly recommended for normal operation. Figure 2 shows a maximal ring topology of eight active nodes.

SummitStack Topologies
Figure 1 illustrates the differences between a stack, a stack topology and an active topology. A stack is the collection of all nodes that are cabled together in a stack. A stack topology is the set of contiguous nodes that are powered up and communicating with each other. Switch 8 is not part of the stack topology in Figure 1 because it is not powered up. An active topology is the set of contiguous nodes that are active. An active node is powered up, configured for SummitStack operation, and communicating with the
5334-01

Figure 2: Eight Stacked Switches in the Preferred Ring Configuration

Please note: while a physical ring connection may be present, a ring active topology only exists if all nodes in the stack are active nodes.

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Extreme Networks Technical Brief: SummitStack, Extreme Networks Virtual Chassis Stacking Technology

Daisy-Chain Topology
Stackable switches may be connected in a daisy-chain topology. This is a ring topology with one of the links disconnected, inoperative, or disabled. A daisy chain can be created when a link fails or a node reboots in a ring topology, but the daisy-chain topology is not recommended for normal operation. In Figure 1, the nodes delineated as the active topology are operating in a daisy-chain configuration, even though there is physically a ring connection in the stack.

Configuring a New Stack

Before deploying a new stack, consider the following guidelines: Plan to use the stack as if it were a single multislot switch. You need to decide the number and type of stackable switches in the stack and how the stack ports will be connected to the network. Physically locate the intended master and backup nodes adjacent to each other, and plan to directly connect these nodes to each other so that ExtremeXOS application synchronization traffic is localized to a single stack link. Use stacking cables to interconnect the stack nodes into a ring topology (see Figure 2). Only include the nodes that are intended to be active in the stack. To see the recommended procedures for installing and interconnecting a stack, refer to the hardware documentation. You can physically connect the stack to your networks before the nodes are configured. However, the default configuration on a non-stacking mode switch assumes a default untagged VLAN that contains all switch ports. When first powered on, the switch acts as a Layer 2 switch, possibly resulting in network loops. Make sure all nodes support the SummitStack feature and are running the same ExtremeXOS software version. To view the ExtremeXOS software version on a node, restart the node and run the command showversion {detail | process <name> |images {partition <partition>} {slot <slotid>} }. If any of the nodes do not have the right version, install the correct version on that switch. Extreme Networks recommends that you use the same image partition on all nodes. Once stacking is enabled, an image upgrade from the stack is possible only if the same image is selected on all nodes. If you intend to deploy new units that might be part of a stack in the future, you may want to turn on stacking mode during initial deployment to avoid a future restart. The disadvantages of stacking mode are the loss of the two QoS profiles QP6 and QP7 and the reservation of some of the packet buffer space for stacking control traffic.

Management Options
One of the key drivers behind any virtual chassis technology like SummitStack is the reduction of network complexity. While collapsing the management of up to eight devices onto a single virtual chassis helps, Extreme Networks provides a number of options for managing that virtual chassis, including a web interface, Ridgeline, the Extreme Networks management system and CLI.

Figure 3: ScreenPlay, the Web Management Interface Built into ExtremeXOS

Figure 4: Ridgeline Stack Management

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Extreme Networks Technical Brief: SummitStack, Extreme Networks Virtual Chassis Stacking Technology

You can configure the stack by logging into the master or any of the other nodes. If the stackable switches have different purchased license levels, you may need to configure license level restrictions on some nodes before those nodes can join the stack. Most stacking specific configurations are effective only after a restart (see Table 2). However, most non-stacking configuration commands take effect immediately and require no restart. A basic stack configuration can be achieved by using the procedure described in the About Easy Setup section below.

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

Summary and Conclusion

SummitStack offers powerful features enabling up to eight Extreme Networks Summit switches to be combined as a single virtual chassis. This allows for simpler, easier management as well as scalability. The mix-and-match capabilities of the SummitStack feature enable greater deployment flexibility. Available in both SummitStack and SummitStack V, Extreme Networks stacking can take advantage of special proprietary cabling as well as standard Ethernet connectivity. With a variety of management mechanisms available, including easy-setup, configuration is quick and straightforward.

About Easy Setup

Using Easy Setup, you can configure a stack without entering many of the stacking CLI commands. Easy Setup provides you an easy way to configure the required stacking parameters for all nodes. The Easy Setup procedure creates a stack with a master and a backup. The remaining nodes are configured with the master capability disabled. Extreme Networks recommends that you configure the stacking license restriction, if needed, before invoking Easy Setup. Otherwise, an additional stack reboot might be needed. The configuration procedure described in the next section starts Easy Setup. You can also start Easy Setup by entering Configure stacking easy-setup. Easy Setup performs the functions of the following five commands required to configure and activate the stack: Enable stacking Configure stacking slot-number automatic

Figure 5: Easy Setup Configuration

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www.extremenetworks.com 2012 Extreme Networks, Inc. All rights reserved. Extreme Networks, the Extreme Networks Logo, BlackDiamond, Direct Attach, ExtremeXOS, Ridgeline, Summit, SummitStack and XNV are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Extreme Networks, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. Specifications are subject to change without notice. 1346_02 07/12