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    C2960X-STACK vs. C2960X-FIBER-STK vs. C2960X-HYBRID-STK

    Date:2019-03-06Click:1126


    Catalyst 2960X Stacking is a so popular issue for Cisco users. How much do you know the key stacking modules for Catalyst 2960-X and Catalyst 2960-XR Series? How many types of stacking modules can be used on 2960-X and Catalyst 2960-XR? In the following part we will share the main comparison and features of three 2960-X/Catalyst 2960-XR stacking modules.

    Cisco Catalyst 2960-X and Catalyst 2960-XR Series Switches offer three types of stacking modules:

    1. C2960X-STACK: Cisco Catalyst 2960-X FlexStack-Plus Stack Module

    2. C2960X-FIBER-STK : Catalyst 2960-X FlexStack-Extended Stack Module

    3. C2960X-HYBRID-STK : FlexStack-Extended Hybrid Module

    Read the detailed features of stacking modules: C2960X-STACK, C2960X-FIBER-STK and C2960X-HYBRID-STK

    Stack Module Slot Location

    1. FlexStack-Plus Module (C2960X-STACK):

    The FlexStack-Plus module allows stacking over copper and provides high bandwidth of up to 80 Gbps over short distances (up to 3 m [10 ft]). The module supports stacking cable of 0.5 m, 1 m, or 3 m in length (1.5 ft, 3 ft, or 10 ft).

    • CAB-STK-E-0.5M= (0.5-m [1.5-ft] cable)

    • CAB-STK-E-1M= (1-m [3-ft] cable)

    • CAB-STK-E-3M= (3-m [10-ft] cable)

    FlexStack-Plus Module

    1.1 Stacking Topologies with FlexStack-Plus Modules

    Up to eight Cisco Catalyst 2960-X or 2960-XR Series Switches in a single wiring closet can be stacked in a ring topology with FlexStack-Plus modules and cables. The ring topology helps ensure redundancy for stacking.

    Short Range High Bandwidth Stacking

    1. Cisco FlexStack-Extended Fiber Module (C2960X-FIBER-STK):

    The module allows stacking over SFP+ ports and provides stacking bandwidth of up to 40 Gpbs over longer distance. It can be used to stack switches across wiring closets on different floors of a building or across different buildings in a campus.

    The FlexStack-Extended Fiber module has two SFP+ ports. The SFP+ transceivers supported on these ports are listed in the compatibility matrix. Chooses appropriate SFP+ transreceivers based on the distance required between switches.


     

    FlexStack-Extended Fiber Module

    2.1 Stacking Topologies with FlexStack-Extended Fiber Modules

    Individual Cisco Catalyst 2960-X or 2960-XR Series Switches spread across multiple wiring closets on different floors of a building or in different buildings of a campus can be stacked with the FlexStack-Extended fiber modules. Up to eight switches can be stacked together. Stacking bandwidth is 40 Gbps.

    Stacking across Multiple Floors of a Building

    Stacking across Multiple Floors and Multiple Buildings in a Campus

    1. FlexStack-Extended Hybrid Module (C2960X-HYBRID-STK):

    The FlexStack-Extended hybrid module has one SFP+ port and one copper FlexStack-Plus port.

    The fiber port allows you to extend stacking over long distances. The SFP+ transceivers supported on these ports are listed in the compatibility matrix. Choose appropriate SFP+ transceivers based on the distance between switches.

    The copper FlexStack-Plus port allows the switch to stack with FlexStack-Plus stacks. This port supports the copper FlexStack-Plus cable:

    • CAB-STK-E-0.5M= (0.5-m [1.5-ft] cable)

    • CAB-STK-E-1M= (1-m [3-ft] cable)

    • CAB-STK-E-3M= (3-m [10-ft] cable)

    FlexStack-Extended Hybrid Module

     

    3.1 Stacking Topologies with Flexstack-Extended Hybrid Modules

    The FlexStack-Extended hybrid module allows you to combine an existing stack of switches and new switches spread across multiple wiring closets on different floors of a building or across multiple buildings of a campus.

    The copper FlexStack-Plus port on the FlexStack-Extended hybrid module should be connected to the FlexStack-Plus port on the C2960X STACK module.

    The fiber port on the FlexStack-Extended hybrid module can then be used to connect to switches over long distances.

    Hybrid Stack of FlexStack-Plus and FlexStack-Extended Modules


     

    Comparison of FlexStack-Plus and FlexStack-Extended Modules

    The following table presents a comparison of the FlexStack-Plus and FlexStack-Extended modules.

    Comparison of FlexStack-Plus and FlexStack-Extended modules


    FlexStack-Plus module
    FlexStack-Extended fiber module
    FlexStack-Extended hybrid module
    ModelC2960X-STACKC2960X-FIBER-STKC2960X-HYBRID-STK
    Stack cablesCAB-STK-E-0.5M/
    CAB-STK-E-1M /
    CAB-STK-E-3M
    More Cisco Serial Cables Options
    Fiber cable based on SFP+ transceiver chosenFiber cable based on SFP+ transceiver chosen and CAB-STK-E-0.5M / CAB-STK-E-1M / CAB-STK-E-3M
    Distance between stack switchesShort range limited to
    3 m (10 ft)
    Fiber port ensures long-range connectivity (distance limit based on SFP+ transceiver and fiber used)1 fiber port ensures long-range connectivity (distance limit based on SFP+ transceiver and fiber used) and short range limited to 3 m (10 ft)
    Stack ports2x 40 Gbps2x 10 Gbps fiber1x 40 Gbps and
    1x 10 Gbps
    Number of switches in stack888
    Stacking bandwidth80 Gbps40 Gbps40 Gbps
    Cisco IOS Software release required
    15.2(6)E or later15.2(6)E or later
    Compatible with 2960-S or 2960-S LAN BaseYesNoNo
    • If there is an existing stack of Cisco Catalyst 2960-X or 2960-XR Series Switches, the hybrid FlexStack-Extended module allows you to add new switches across the wiring closet to the same stack.

    • FlexStack-Extended modules (fiber and hybrid) are supported beginning with Cisco IOS Software Release 15.2(6)E. Refer to below Tables.

     Cisco Catalyst 2960-X product IDs for Cisco DNA Essentials licenses
    PortsProduct IDDescription
    24C2960X-DNA-E-24=C2960X DNA Essentials, 24-port term licenses
    C2960X-DNA-E-24-3YC2960X DNA Essentials, 24-port, 3-year term licenses
    C2960X-DNA-E-24-5YC2960X DNA Essentials, 24-port, 5-year term licenses
    48C2960X-DNA-E-48=C2960X DNA Essentials, 48-port term licenses
    C2960X-DNA-E-48-3YC2960X DNA Essentials, 48-port, 3-year term licenses
    C2960X-DNA-E-48-5YC2960X DNA Essentials, 48-port, 5-year term licenses
    Cisco Catalyst 2960-XR product IDs for Cisco DNA Essentials licenses
    PortsProduct IDDescription
    24C2960XR-DNA-E-24=C2960XR DNA Essentials, 24-port term licenses
    C2960XR-DNA-E-24-3C2960XR DNA Essentials, 24-port, 3-year term licenses
    C2960XR-DNA-E-24-5C2960XR DNA Essentials, 24-port, 5-year term licenses
    48C2960XR-DNA-E-48=C2960XR DNA Essentials, 48-port term licenses
    C2960XR-DNA-E-48-3C2960XR DNA Essentials, 48-port, 3-year term licenses
    C2960XR-DNA-E-48-5C2960XR DNA Essentials, 48-port, 5-year term licenses