Using a deterministic method

  1. Install a Stacking Module into a 3810M switch and then boot the switch. Follow the procedure described in the Switch Installation and Getting Started Guide corresponding to your switch.
    NOTE:

    You cannot use a 5400R stacking module on a 3810M switch and vice versa.

  2. Make sure that stacking is enabled for the switch:
    1. Enter the show stacking command.

    2. If stacking is disabled, enter stacking enable (in global config context). This command causes the switch to reboot.

  3. When the switch finishes booting, enter the show stacking command again. The switch now has the status of Commander. It has a Member ID of 1 (one) and a default priority of 128. An example of the show stacking output is shown below.

    switch# show stacking
    Stack ID           : NO ID - will merge upon connectivity
    MAC Address        : 1cc1de-4d48c0
    Stack Topology     : No Stack Formed
    Stack Status       : No Stack Formed
    Uptime 	           : 0d 0h 5m
    Software Version   : KA.15.03
    
    Mbr
    ID   Mac Address  	    	      Model 		Pri  Status	
    --- ------------- ------------------------------------- ---  -------
    1   1cc1de-4d48c0 HPE J9574A 3810-48G-PoE+-4SFP+ Switch  128  Commander
  4. To generate a stack ID, enter the following command:

    switch(config)#stacking set-stack

  5. (Optional) To have this switch retain its function as Commander through stack boots and other situations, you can increase its priority. The switch with the highest priority becomes Commander when all the switches are booted simultaneously. The default priority is 128. The priority can be set to any value between 1 and 255. To increase the switch’s stacking priority, enter the following command:

    switch(config)# stacking member 1 priority 255

  6. (Optional) Preconfigure (provision) the stack for the other switches that become members of the stack. You can assign a member number and a priority by entering the following command for each switch:
    switch(config)# stacking member N type JxxxxA [mac MAC-Addr]
    where:
    • N is the stacking member number for the switch.

    • JxxxxA is the product number of the switch (required). Any of the 3810M models can be installed and can assume this provisioned configuration. If you specify a value for this parameter, then only a switch of this specific model type can assume this provisioned configuration.

    • (Optional) MAC-Addr can be specified if you want a specific switch to assume this provisioned configuration. If this value is entered, then the type value for the switch that has this MAC address must be correct, or a configuration error is logged and the switch is not allowed to join the stack.

  7. Connect the stacking cables to the module ports for the desired stacking topology. For example, plug port 1 and 2 in a ring.

  8. Install Stacking Modules into the other switches that will be members of the stack, but do not boot them yet.
    NOTE:

    HPEE recommends that you create a mesh topology for maximum througHPEut and resiliency of the stack. At a minimum, a ring topology must be created. A chain topology is not recommended because any hardware or software failure in the stack results in lost ports, which increases the amount of time for the recovery of full stack operation due to multiple reboots. See the ArubaOS-Switch Installation and Getting Started Guide for supported topologies corresponding to your switch.

  9. Boot the Standby and Member switches. The second switch that is booted becomes the Standby. The remaining switches become Members when booted.

  10. When all of the switches are booted, enter the show stacking command to confirm that the stack is operating correctly. The following example shows four switches in a meshed topology.

Viewing output for four switches in a mesh topology

switch(config)# show stacking
 Stack ID         : 00031cc1-de4d48c0
 MAC Address      : 1cc1de-4d48c9
 Stack Topology   : Mesh
 Stack Status     : Active
 Uptime           : 1d 2h 35m
 Software Version : KA.15.05

  Mbr
  ID  Mac Address   Model                                  Pri Status
  --- ------------- -------------------------------------- --- ---------------
  1   1cc1de-4d48c0 HPE J9574A 3810-48G-PoE+-4SFP+ Switch   250 Commander
  2   1cc1de-4d8680 HPE J9573A 3810-24G-PoE+-2SFP+ Switch   230 Standby
  3   1cc1de-4e3180 HPE J9574A 3810-48G-PoE+-4SFP+ Switch   128 Member
  4   78acc0-3c2180 HPE J9576A 3810-48G-4SFP+ Switch        128 Member