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

2. 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

3. 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

• 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

Cisco Catalyst 2960-XR product IDs for Cisco DNA Essentials licenses