Dell Networking How to stack N2000 or N3000 Switches

Summary: This article explains how to stack N2000 and N3000 series switches.

This article applies to This article does not apply to This article is not tied to any specific product. Not all product versions are identified in this article.
Check out other resources

Instructions

Stack N2000 or N3000 Switches

To stack N2000 or N3000 switches, perform the following steps:

  1. Update the firmware

    • Use the instructions in the zip file to update each switch to the latest firmware.

  2. Power off all switches

    • Make sure all switches are turned off before connecting them.

  3. Connect the stacking cables

    • Start with the bottom port of the first switch.
    • Connect it to the top port of the next switch.
    • Keep going until all switches are connected in a loop.
    • On the last switch, connect its bottom port back to the top port of the first switch.

  4. Power on the primary switch first

    • Turn on the switch you want to be the main switch.
    • Wait until you can manage it (log in or access it).

  5. Power on the other switches one by one

    • After the main switch is ready, turn on the rest of the switches one at a time.
    • They will automatically join the stack.

  6. Verify the stack

    • Run this command in the switch console

  7.  

NOTE: The primary and secondary switches keep the startup-configuration of the stack. You can only access the console port from the primary Switch.

 

NOTE: You can only stack N2000 switches with N2000 switches and N3000 switches with N3000 switches. An N2024 will not stack an N3024.

     

N2000 - N2100 support up to 12 units in a stack running firmware pre 6.6.x.x. Customer be aware that 6.6.x.x firmware reduces the maximum stack size of N2000 and N2128PX-ON Series to 8 units.

 

N3000 - N3100 support up to 12 units in a stack running firmware pre 6.5.x.x. Customer be aware that 6.5.x.x firmware has 2 different versions, Advanced Version and Advanced-Lite Version. 
Advanced Version - full stack capability of up to 12 units with maximum active VLAN support of 4093. 
Advanced-Lite Version - reduced stack size of up to 8 units with maximum active VLAN support of 1024.

NOTE:  It’s required to use the Advanced-Lite (N3000AdvLitev6.5.x.x.stk) version of firmware image to form the mixed stack of N3000E-ON and N3000 Series switches.

N3000 Series switches can only run Advanced-Lite versions of firmware.
N3000E Series switches can run either the Advanced or Advanced-Lite revisions of firmware.

Affected Products

PowerSwitch N2000 Series, PowerSwitch N2100 Series, PowerSwitch N3000 Series, Dell EMC PowerSwitch N3000E-ON Series, Dell EMC PowerSwitch N3100 Series
Article Properties
Article Number: 000116644
Article Type: How To
Last Modified: 10 Oct 2025
Version:  8
Find answers to your questions from other Dell users
Support Services
Check if your device is covered by Support Services.