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N-Series 6.5 Mixed Stacking Technical Update

Summary: Support for mixed stacking between Dell Networking N3000 Series and N2000 Series switches running the Dell Networking 6.5.x.x operating system.

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Article Content


Symptoms

Background

With the introduction of the Dell networking operating system 6.5.x.x for N-series campus switching platforms, mixed stacking is supported between:

  • N2000 and N2128PX-ON
  • N3000 and N3132PX-ON
  • N3000 and N3000E-ON

Cause

Firmware Revision

Firmware revisions for mixed stacking are:

  • Advanced Lite (N3000 & N3132PX-ON) or (N3000 & N3000E-ON)
    • L3 routing, stacks to eight units, VLANS: 1024, no MMRP/MVRP
    • Includes BGP
    • N3000N3100AdvLitev6.5.1.x.itb   N3000/N3048EP-ON/N3132PX-ON mixed stack
    • N3000AdvLitev6.5.1.x.stk              Dauntless L3 only stack (including N3048EP-ON)
  • Standard (N2000 & N2128PX-ON)
    • L2 switching/scale limited routing, stacks to twelve units
    • N2000N2100Stdv6.5.1.x.itb          N2000/N2100 mixed stack
    • N2100Stdv6.5.1.x.stk                      Bristol L2 only stack
    • N2000Stdv6.5.1.x.stk                      Dauntless N2000 only stack
  • Advanced (N3132PX-ON & N3000E-ON)
    • Full scale routing, stacks to twelve units, VLANs: 4093, MMRP/MVRP
    • Includes BGP
    • N3000N3100Advv6.5.1.x.itb        N3000E/N3132PX-ON mixed stack
    • N3100Advv6.5.1.x.stk                   N3132PX-ON L3 only stack
    • N3000Advv6.5.1.x.stk                   N3000E only stack

Examples of mixed stacking files for the N3000/N3132PX-ON series:

  • N3100AdvLitev6.5.1.1.stk
  • N3100Advv6.5.1.31.stk
  • N3000AdvLitev6.5.1.1.stk
  • N3000Advv6.5.1.31.stk
  • N3000N3100AdvLitev6.5.1.1.itb
  • N3000N3100Advv6.5.1.31.itb

The .stk files are not new to the Dell networking campus line of products, the new file format .itb is what will be used to support both N3000/N3132PX-ON switches in a mixed stack. This .itb file contains file images for both switches. All future mixed stacking firmware updates will use this file format.

Resolution

Procedure


NOTE:  Setting up a mixed stacking environment is a multi-step process with some known limitations for the N3000/N3132PX-ON and N3000/N3000E-ON series switches
- Stack size must be reduced from the maximum of 12 switches to 8
- Only 1024 active VLANs in a configuration range of 1-4093

Mixed stacking update procedure:

  1. Backup your switch configuration.
  2. N3000 series switches will first utilize the N3000AdvLitev6.5.1.x.stk file.
    • Copy and active the .stk file to the N3000 series switches.
      • Update boot code and CPLD if below current revisions and reload the switches.
      • All switches in the stack should now show an active 6.5.1.x image in the "show version" command.
    • Finally copy and activate the N3000N3132PX-ONAdvLitev6.5.1.x.itb image to the N3000 series switches.
  3. N3132PX-ON series switches will follow the same procedure as the N3000 switches.
  4. Once both sets of switches are at 6.5.1.x, power OFF both series switches. Plug in mini-SAS stacking cables. Power ON both series of switches.
  5. Verify connectivity with "show switch" and "show version" commands via the stack primary switch.

NOTE:  Refer to the Upgrading Dell EMC Networking N3000 Series Switches to 6.5.1.x Firmware document included in the N3000 Series, Firmware Version 6.5.1.x zip file available here.

Article Properties


Affected Product

PowerSwitch N2000 Series, PowerSwitch N2100 Series, PowerSwitch N3000 Series, Dell EMC PowerSwitch N3100 Series

Last Published Date

30 Mar 2021

Version

4

Article Type

Solution