Stack and CSS Features of Switches

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 Foreword
• As the scale of enterprise networks increase, they pose higher requirements on network reliability, fault
recovery time, and device manageability.

• Traditional high reliability techniques on campus networks cannot achieve millisecond-level switchover.
One active device and one standby device are typically deployed to ensure reliability; however, this
deployment causes a great waste of resources. In addition, network management becomes more complex
as more network devices are deployed. To build a reliable, easy-to-manage, highly efficient, and easy-to-
expand switching network, the stacking and clustering techniques — stack and Cluster Switch System
(CSS) — of switches are introduced.

• This document mainly describes the stack and CSS implementation and networking modes.

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 Objectives
• On completion of this course, you will be able to:
▫ Describe basic concepts involved in stack and CSS.

▫ Learn about the process of setting up a stack and CSS.

▫ Understand the MAD mechanism of stack and CSS.

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 Contents
1. Overview of Stack and CSS
2. Implementation of Stack
3. Implementation of CSS
4. Basic Configuration

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 Overview of Stack and CSS
Stack CSS

Virtual device
Stack link CSS link
Virtual device

Equivalent to
Equivalent
to
Eth-Trunk Eth-Trunk

• A stack can have multiple stacking-capable switches connected through stack cables, which appear as one device when forwarding
data.

• A CSS combines two clustering-capable switches into a logical switch.

• Generally, modular switches set up a CSS, and fixed switches set up a stack. Only two switches are supported in a CSS. The stack
and CSS can be used together with link aggregation to build a highly reliable and loop-free campus network.

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 Stack and CSS Architecture
CSS

Aggregation layer

Eth-Trunk

Access layer
Stack Stack

• By leveraging the stack or CSS technique, multiple independent switches are virtualized into a single logical switch. Generally, fixed
switches at the access or aggregation layer set up a CSS, and modular switches at the aggregation or core layer set up a CSS.

• Eth-Trunks can be deployed between logical switches to achieve high reliability, without the need to deploy STP or VRRP.

• The use of Eth-Trunks also improves link utilization by allowing links between devices to transmit traffic simultaneously.

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 Advantages of Stack and CSS (1)
Stack and CSS effectively improve resource utilization, forwarding performance, and link bandwidth.
STP networking Stack/CSS networking
Cluster

Eth-Trunk

Stack
• Core devices work in active/standby mode. • Core devices are virtualized into a logical device and they can forward
• Dual uplinks of each aggregation device work in active/standby traffic simultaneously.
mode. • All links between the aggregation and core layers are bundled into Eth-
• Low device and link utilization Trunks to forward traffic simultaneously.
• High device and link utilization

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 Advantages of Stack and CSS (2)
Stack and CSS simplify network planning and management.
STP networking Stack/CSS networking
CSS
Mgmt Mgmt
Mgmt

Eth-Trunk

Stack
Mgmt Mgmt
Mgmt

Eth-Trunk

Mgmt
Mgmt Mgmt Mgmt Mgmt
Stack
• It is complex to plan and configure Layer 2 VLANs and STP. • Links between logical devices are bundled into Eth-Trunks, removing
• VRRP and STP are used together to implement load balancing between the need to deploy STP and VRRP.
active and standby devices, which are complex to plan and configure. • This networking simplifies network planning and device configuration.
• All devices are managed and configured separately. • Only the logical devices need to be managed.

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 Advantages of Stack and CSS (3)
Stack and CSS greatly reduce the service interruption time.
STP networking Stack/CSS networking
CSS

Eth-Trunk

Stack
• If a fault occurs, for example, the active device or link is unavailable, • The failure of a single device or link does not affect service
an active/standby switchover is performed. forwarding. Traffic will be switched to other available member links of
• The switchover time depends on the STP convergence time, which is Eth-Trunks.
usually several seconds. • Users are unaware of the interruption.

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 Contents
1. Overview of Stack and CSS
2. Implementation of Stack
3. Implementation of CSS
4. Basic Configuration

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 Basic Concepts of Stack
• Switches that join a stack are member switches. In a stack, member switches take on one of the three roles:
▫ Master switch: manages the stack. A stack has only one master switch.

▫ Standby switch: is the backup of the master switch. A stack has only one standby switch. If the master switch fails, the standby switch takes over
all services from the master switch and assumes the master role.

▫ Slave switch: forwards service traffic. A stack may have multiple slave switches. The more slave switches in a stack, the higher forwarding
performance the stack can provide. Apart from the master and standby switches, all the other member switches are slave switches. If the standby
switch becomes unavailable, a slave switch assumes the standby role.

• Stack priority: determines the role of a stack member in role election. A higher priority value for a stack member increases the
probability of it being elected the stack master.
Management

Stack

Master Standby Slave Slave

priority 200 priority 150 priority 100 priority 100

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 Stack ID
• A stack ID identifies a stack member and is the slot ID of the member. Each stack member must have a unique stack ID in the stack.

• The default stack ID of a device is 0. In a stack, the master switch manages stack IDs of other member switches. When a new
member switch joins the stack and its stack ID conflicts with that of another member switch in the stack, the master switch searches
for the smallest available stack ID and assigns it to the new member switch.

• You are advised to configure stack IDs for stack members before setting up a stack.

Stack (a logical switch)

GE0/0/2 GE0/0/4 GE0/0/6 GE0/0/8 ... GE0/0/2 GE0/0/4 GE0/0/6 GE0/0/8 ...
Stack ID 0
GE0/0/1 GE0/0/3 GE0/0/5 GE0/0/7 ... GE0/0/1 GE0/0/3 GE0/0/5 GE0/0/7 ...

GE0/0/2 GE0/0/4 GE0/0/6 GE0/0/8 ... GE1/0/2 GE1/0/4 GE1/0/6 GE1/0/8 ...
Stack ID 1 GE0/0/1 GE0/0/3 GE0/0/5 GE0/0/7 ... GE1/0/1 GE1/0/3 GE1/0/5 GE1/0/7 ...

GE0/0/2 GE0/0/4 GE0/0/6 GE0/0/8 ... GE2/0/2 GE2/0/4 GE2/0/6 GE2/0/8 ...
Stack ID 2
GE0/0/1 GE0/0/3 GE0/0/5 GE0/0/7 ... GE2/0/1 GE2/0/3 GE2/0/5 GE2/0/7 ...

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 Logical Stack Port
• Logical stack ports are logical ports used to set up a stack between switches. Each switch supports two logical stack
ports: stack-port n/1 and stack-port n/2, where n indicates the stack ID of a member switch.

• Multiple stack member ports can be bundled into a logical stack port to improve stack reliability and bandwidth.

• Stack member ports of a logical stack port (stack-port n/1) on one switch must be connected to stack member ports of
a logical stack port (stack-port m/2) on another switch.

Switch 1
Stack ID 1 GE1/0/1 GE1/0/2 1/2

Logical stack port

(stack-port)

Switch 1
Stack ID 2 GE2/0/1 GE2/0/2 2/1

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 Stack Setup

Software version and

Physical connection setup Master election Standby switch election configuration file
synchronization

Multiple switches are Member switches The master switch collects The master switch
connected in a required exchange stack topology information from synchronizes the topology
topology using the competition packets and other member switches of the stack to all member
appropriate connection elect the master switch and assigns them stack switches, and member
mode to establish a stack according to master IDs. The standby switch is switches synchronize their
network. election rules. then elected. system software and
configuration files with the
master switch. The stack is
then set up.

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 Physical Connection Setup Master Election Standby Switch Election Software Version and Configuration file Synchronization

Stack Connection Modes

Stack card connections Service port connections

Switch 1
Switch 1 Stack port 1 Stack port 2 GE1/0/1 GE1/0/2 1/2
Stack ID 1

Logical stack port

Dedicated stack cable Stack card

Switch 1
Switch 2 Stack port 1 Stack port 2 GE2/0/1 GE2/0/2 2/1
Stack ID 2

Dedicated or integrated stack cards are used, and stack member ports on Stack member ports on switches are connected through ordinary Ethernet
the cards are connected through dedicated stack cables. cables, optical fibers, or dedicated stack cables, and are added to logical
stack ports.

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 Physical Connection Setup Master Election Standby Switch Election Software Version and Configuration file Synchronization

Stack Topologies

Chain topology Ring topology

Master St
k ac
Stack link Stack link
k li n Master kl
ink
t ac
Master Standby Slave S

Standby Stack link Slave

• Member switches are far from one another and a ring topology is • Member switches are located near one another. This topology ensures
difficult to deploy. high reliability and high link bandwidth efficiency.

• Low reliability: If any stack link fails, the stack splits. • High reliability: If a stack link fails, the topology changes from ring to
chain, allowing the stack to function normally.

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 Physical Connection Setup Master Election Standby Switch Election Software Version and Configuration file Synchronization

Master Switch Election

After all member switches are connected and powered on, they elect a master switch.

Rules for electing a master switch

The switch that starts first becomes the master switch.

The master election timeout interval is 20 seconds. The startup process may take different lengths of time on different
1
member switches. When stack member switches are powered on or restart, some member switches may not participate
in the first master election.

If multiple switches complete startup at the same time, the switch with the highest stack priority becomes the master
2
switch.

If multiple switches complete startup at the same time and have the same stack priority, the switch with the smallest
3
MAC address becomes the master switch.

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 Physical Connection Setup Master Election Standby Switch Election Software Version and Configuration file Synchronization

Standby Switch Election

Topology information collection, stack ID assignment, and standby switch election

After the master switch is elected, it collects topology information from member switches and assigns a stack ID to each
member switch. The standby switch is then elected to operate as a backup for the master switch.
The first switch that completes startup after the master switch becomes the standby switch.
If multiple switches complete the startup at the same time, the standby switch is elected according to the following rules:

1 The switch with the highest stack priority becomes the standby switch.

2 If the switches have the same stack priority, the one with the smallest MAC address becomes the standby switch.

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 Physical Connection Setup Master Election Standby Switch Election Software Version and Configuration file Synchronization

Software Version and Configuration File

Synchronization
Software version and configuration file synchronization; stable running

After role election and topology information collection are complete, member switches synchronize their system software and
configuration files with the master switch. The stack can now run.

Automatic software loading: If the standby and slave switches are running a different software version from that of the
master switch, they download the system software of the master switch, restart with the new system software, and
1
rejoin the stack. Member switches must have compatible software versions with one another to set up a stack.

Configuration file synchronization: The standby and slave switches download and apply the configuration files of the
2 master switch. This enables member switches to work like a single switch and ensures that other switches continue
working normally if the master switch fails.

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 Stack Management and Configuration File
Stack management Configuration file

C Console port

Stack Stack

Master Standby Slave Slave Master Standby Slave Slave

C C C C

HTTP/HTTPS
Telnet, STelnet SNMP Configuration file synchronization

IP network

• You can log in to a stack using either of the following methods to manage the stack: • The master switch has the startup and running configuration files for the stack.
 Log in through the console port of any stack member. • The standby switch synchronizes the configuration files with the master switch. If
 the master switch becomes unavailable, the standby switch takes over with the
Log in through any reachable IP address in the stack using Telnet, STelnet,
current running configuration.
HTTP/HTTPS, or SNMP.

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 Removing a Stack Member
Depending on the role of the member switch that leaves a stack, the stack is affected in the following ways:
▫ If the master switch leaves the stack, the standby switch becomes the new master switch. It recalculates topology information, synchronizes
updated topology information to the other member switches, and selects a new standby switch. Afterwards, the stack begins to run stably.

▫ If the standby switch leaves the stack, the master switch selects a new standby switch, recalculates the stack topology, and synchronizes updated
topology information to the other member switches. Afterwards, the stack begins to run stably.

▫ If a slave switch leaves the stack, the master switch recalculates the stack topology and synchronizes updated topology information to the other
member switches. Afterwards, the stack begins to run stably.

Stack Stack

Master Standby Slave Slave Master Standby Slave

Independent running

An administrator removes stack cables.

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 Adding a Switch to a Stack
A new member switch joins a running stack after the following sequence of events:
▫ The new switch is connected to the stack, is powered on, and starts. It is elected as a slave switch, while the roles of other stack members remain
unchanged.

▫ The master switch updates stack topology information, synchronizes the updated topology information to the other member switches, and assigns
a stack ID to the new member switch (if the new member switch has no stack ID configured or the configured stack ID conflicts with that of
another member switch).

▫ The new member switch updates its stack ID, synchronizes its configuration files and system software with the master switch, and then runs
stably.

Stack Stack

Master Standby Slave Master Standby Slave Slave

Powered off

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 Stack Merging
• Two running stacks can merge into a single stack.

• For example, a switch that has the stack configuration and has been powered on (forming a single-switch stack) is
connected to a running stack through stack cables. This process is known as stack merging, which is different from
the process of adding a member switch to a stack.
1 Participate in
master election

Stack Stack Stack

Master Standby Master Master Standby Slave

2 3
Restart after the failure in Work as a slave
master election switch

All member switches in the stack that fails the master election will restart. Therefore, merging two running stacks that are forwarding traffic
is not recommended.

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 Stack Split
If you remove some member switches from a running stack without powering off the switches or if multiple stack cables
fail, the stack splits into multiple stacks.
Scenario 1 Scenario 2
Stack Stack

Master Standby Slave Slave Master Standby Slave Slave

Stack Stack Stack Stack

Master Standby Master Standby Master Master Standby Slave

• The previous master and standby switches are in different stacks after the stack split.

• The previous master and standby switches are in the same stack after the stack split. • The previous master switch selects a new standby switch in its stack and updates the
stack topology information.
• When removed slave switches detect that the timeout timer for stack protocol packets
has expired, the switches restart and begin a new master election. • The previous standby switch becomes the new master switch in its stack and selects a
new standby switch.

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 Problems Caused by a Stack Split
All member switches in a stack use the same IP address (VLANIF interface address) and MAC address (stack MAC
address). After a stack splits, more than one stack may use the same IP address and MAC address. To prevent this
situation, a mechanism is required to check for IP address and MAC address collision after a split.

Stack Stack Stack

Master Standby Master Master

IP address: IP address:
192.168.1.1 192.168.1.1

In the original stack, the IP and MAC addresses of VLANIF 1 are 192.168.1.1 and the system MAC address, respectively. After
the stack splits, both the new stacks use the IP and MAC addresses of VLANIF 1.

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 MAD
• Multi-active detection (MAD) is a stack split detection protocol. If a stack splits due to a link failure, MAD provides
split detection, multi-active handling, and fault recovery mechanisms to minimize the impact of a stack split on
services.

• MAD can be implemented in direct or relay mode. Direct and relay modes cannot be both configured in the same
stack.
MAD process
3 Fail in the
2
Competition competition
Stack Stack Stack Stack

Master Master Master Master

1
Stack split
4
Physical port
MAD link disabling
MAD packet

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 MAD: Direct Mode
In direct mode, stack members use directly connected ordinary cables as dedicated MAD links. When the stack is
running properly, member switches do not send MAD packets. After the stack splits, member switches each send a MAD
packet every 1 second over a MAD link to check whether more than one master switch exists.

Directly connected to an intermediate device Fully meshed with each other

MAD link MAD link

Stack Stack

All member switches are directly connected to an intermediate In the full-mesh topology, at least one MAD link exists between
switch through ordinary cables. any two member switches.

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 MAD: Relay Mode
In relay mode, MAD relay detection is configured on an Eth-Trunk interface in the stack, and the MAD detection function is enabled on
an agent. Each member switch must have a link to the agent, and these links must be added to the same Eth-Trunk. In contrast to the
direct mode, the relay mode does not require additional interfaces because the Eth-Trunk interface can run other services while
performing MAD relay detection.
Independent relay agent Two stacks acting as each other's relay agent
MAD link MAD link

Stack Stack

Eth-Trunk
Eth-Trunk

MAD relay agent

Stack

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 Multi-Active Handling (1)
After a stack splits, the new stacks send MAD packets to perform MAD competition, and set their states to Detect or
Recovery according to the competition result.
▫ Detect: The competition is successful, and the stack is working properly.

▫ Recovery: The competition fails. The stack that fails in the competition shuts down all physical ports except the manually
configured reserved ports on member switches, and no longer forward service packets.

Detect Stack Stack Recovery

All physical ports except reserved

ones are shut down.

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 Multi-Active Handling (2)
MAD competition rules

MAD competition follows similar guidelines to master switch competition.

The stack that completes its startup first enters the Detect state. If the difference in the time points when multiple stacks
1 complete their startup is within 20 seconds, the stacks are considered to complete their startup at the same time.

When the stacks complete their startup at the same time, the stack in which the master switch has the highest stack
2
priority enters the Detect state.

When the master switches in the stacks have the same stack priority, the stack with the smallest MAC address enters
3
the Detect state.

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 Master/Standby Switchover
• If you want another switch in the stack to be the master switch, you can perform a master/standby switchover by
running a command to change this switch to the new master switch.

• In addition, a master/standby switchover can be triggered if the master switch restarts due to a fault.

1
Restarts due to
Stack Stack
a fault

Master Standby Slave Master Slave

2
The previous standby becomes
the new master

3
Stack Becomes the
new standby

4
Restarts and becomes a Slave Master Standby
slave

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 Stack Upgrade
A stack supports three upgrade methods:
▫ Intelligent upgrade: When a stack is set up or a new switch is added to the stack, standby and slave switches or the switch automatically synchronizes the system software
with the master switch.

▫ Traditional upgrade: similar to an ordinary device upgrade. You need to specify the startup system software on the master switch and restart the entire stack to upgrade the
software of member switches. This process will cause lengthy service interruptions.

▫ Smooth upgrade: A stack is divided into an active area and a backup area. Member switches in the two areas are upgraded in turn. The uplinks and downlinks of the stack
work in redundancy mode, and the active and standby links are in the active and backup areas, respectively. In this way, services are not interrupted during the upgrade.

Eth-Trunk
1 2
Upgrade the switch in the Upgrade the switch in the
backup area active area

Stack Stack
Active Backup Active Backup

Master Standby Master Standby

Smooth upgrade process

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 Inter-device Link Aggregation (1)
• A stack supports inter-device link aggregation, which allows physical interfaces on different member switches to
bundle into an Eth-Trunk interface.

• If a member link of an Eth-Trunk or a member switch fails, traffic on this link or switch can be distributed to other
member links through the stack cables connecting member switches. Inter-device link aggregation implements link
and device backup and ensures reliable data transmission.
Eth-Trunk

Stack

Master Standby

Data forwarding paths when links and stacked devices are operating normally

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 Inter-device Link Aggregation (2)

Eth-Trunk

Stack Stack

Master Standby Master Standby

Data forwarding paths when a stack member fails Data forwarding paths when a single uplink fails

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 Local Preferential Forwarding (1)
Traffic is distributed to different member links of an Eth-Trunk based on traffic characteristics using the load balancing
algorithm of link aggregation. For inter-device link aggregation, the outbound and inbound interfaces of packets may be
on different member devices. In this case, traffic is forwarded through stack cables between stack members. This
increases the load on stack cables and reduces the forwarding efficiency.
Example: The bandwidth of stack cables between member
switches is 10 Gbit/s, and the inter-device traffic rate is 10
Gbit/s, so the load on stack cables is too heavy.

Stack

Master Standby

20 Gbit/s

Load balancing among member links of an inter-device link aggregation

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 Local Preferential Forwarding (2)
To improve the forwarding efficiency and reduce the load on stack cables, you can enable the local preferential
forwarding function on a switch. This function allows traffic reaching the local switch to be preferentially forwarded
through a local interface. If the local device has no outbound interface or all outbound interfaces fail, traffic is forwarded
through an interface on the other member switch.

Stack

Master Standby

Local preferential forwarding

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 Contents
1. Overview of Stack and CSS
2. Implementation of Stack
3. Implementation of CSS
4. Basic Configuration

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 Introduction to CSS
• A cluster switch system (CSS) combines two clustering-capable switches into a single logical switch. A CSS is also
called a cluster.

• CSS and stack are different only in their names and implementations, but they are actually the same function. CSS is
used on modular switches, whereas stack is used on fixed switches.

• The following mainly describes the peculiarities of CSS compared with stack.

Physical switches in a CSS use a unified Switches in a CSS appear as a

Links between physical switches in a CSS
forwarding plane, and share and logical switch. They have a unified
are bundled into a single Eth-Trunk for
synchronize forwarding information in control plane and are managed in a
interconnection with downstream devices.
real time. unified manner.

Characteristics of CSS

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 Basic Concepts of CSS
• Switches in a CSS are CSS members. Every CSS member plays one the following roles:
▫ Master switch: manages the CSS.

▫ Standby switch: acts as a backup to the master switch.

• CSS ID: uniquely identifies a CSS member.

• CSS link: is dedicated to setting up a CSS for data communication between the CSS master and standby switches.

• CSS priority: determines the role of a CSS member in role election. A larger value indicates a higher priority.

CSS
CSS link

Master Standby

CSS ID: 1 CSS ID: 2

Priority: 2 Priority: 1

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 CSS Control Plane
• A CSS is automatically set up after you connect two switches using CSS cables, enable the CSS function, and complete the CSS
configuration on the two switches, and restart them.

• The master MPU on the master switch works as the control plane of the CSS and manages the CSS. The master MPU on the standby
switch works as the standby control plane of the CSS. The standby MPUs of the master and standby switches work as candidate CSS
standby MPUs.
CSS master MPU CSS standby MPU
CSS

Master MPU Master MPU

Candidate CSS standby MPU Standby MPU Standby MPU

CSS link

Master switch Standby switch

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 Physical Connections of a CSS
The physical connections of a CSS vary according to the CSS technology used:
▫ Traditional CSS: CSS cards on MPUs or service ports on LPUs are connected to set up a CSS.

▫ Cluster Switch System Generation 2 (CSS2): CSS cards on switch fabric units (SFUs) are connected to set up a CSS.

Physical Logical CSS port CSS link

member port

Master MPU Master MPU

Standby MPU Standby MPU

LPU LPU
LPU LPU

Traditional CSS (service port clustering)

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 Traditional CSS
Setting up a CSS through CSS cards on MPUs Setting up a CSS through service ports

CSS card CSS card CSS card CSS card MPU MPU MPU MPU
MPU MPU MPU MPU
LPU

LPU

LPU

LPU

LPU

LPU

LPU

LPU

LPU

LPU

LPU

LPU

LPU

LPU

LPU

LPU
For modular switches that support only traditional CSS, inter-LPU traffic in a chassis and inter-chassis traffic must pass
through MPUs. Therefore, if there is no MPU working normally on a chassis, traffic cannot be forwarded between LPUs
on this chassis or from this chassis to another chassis.
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 CSS2
MPU MPU MPU MPU

CSS card

CSS card
SFU

SFU
LPU LPU

CSS card

CSS card
SFU

SFU
LPU LPU

• CSS2-capable modular switches adopt the forwarding-control separation architecture, so inter-LPU traffic in a chassis or inter-
chassis traffic no longer needs to pass through MPUs. If a chassis in a CSS does not have any MPU that works properly, traffic
forwarding on the chassis is not affected.

• CSS2 allows LPUs on two switches in a CSS to forward packets normally as long as one MPU in either switch is running properly.
This feature is known as 1+N backup of MPUs in a CSS.
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 Contents
1. Overview of Stack and CSS
2. Implementation of Stack
3. Implementation of CSS
4. Basic Configuration

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 Stack Configuration (1)
1. Create a logical stack port and add stack member ports to it.

[Huawei] interface stack-port member-id/port-id

[Huawei-stack-port0/1] port interface { interface-type interface-number1 [ to interface-type interface-number2 ] } &<1-10>
enable
member-id specifies the stack ID of a member switch. port-id specifies the ID of the local logical stack port, which can be set to
1 or 2.
2. Configure a stack ID for a member switch.

[Huawei] stack slot slot-id renumber new-slot-id

By default, the stack ID of a member switch is 0. The new stack ID takes effect only after the current configuration is saved and
the switch is restarted.
3. Configure a stack priority for a member switch.

[Huawei] stack slot slot-id priority priority

By default, the stack priority of a member switch is 100.

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 Stack Configuration (2)
4. Enable MAD in direct mode in the interface view.

[Huawei-GigabitEthernet0/0/1] mad detect mode direct

5. Configure MAD in relay mode when an independent relay agent is used.

In the stack, enable MAD on the Eth-Trunk interface connected to the relay agent.

[Huawei] interface eth-trunk trunk-id

[Huawei-Eth-Trunk1] mad detect mode relay

On the relay agent, enable MAD on the Eth-Trunk interface connected to the stack.

[Huawei] interface eth-trunk trunk-id

[Huawei-Eth-Trunk1] mad relay

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 Stack Configuration (3)
6. Configure MAD in relay mode when two stacks function as each other's MAD relay agent.

Set a unique MAD domain ID for each stack.

[Huawei] mad domain domain-id

By default, the MAD domain ID of a stack is 0.

Enable MAD in relay mode, and configure two stacks as each other's relay agent.

[Huawei] interface eth-trunk trunk-id

[Huawei-Eth-Trunk1] mad detect mode relay
[Huawei-Eth-Trunk1] mad relay

MAD needs to be enabled on the Eth-Trunk interface connected to the MAD relay agent.

7. Perform a master/standby switchover.

[Huawei] slave switchover

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 Stack Configuration (4)
8. Set a period after which a stack changes its system MAC address.
[Huawei] stack timer mac-address switch-delay delay-time

By default, a stack changes the system MAC address after 10 minutes. When this period is set to 0, no stack MAC address
switching will be performed. To configure a stack to change its system MAC address immediately, run the undo stack timer
mac-address switch-delay command.

9. Clear all stack configuration.

[Huawei] reset stack configuration

The following stack configuration will be cleared: switch slot ID, stack priority, stack reserved VLAN, stack MAC address
switching delay, logical stack port configuration, and logical stack port rate. For example, when switches are stacked using
dedicated stack cables, to ensure that slot IDs are automatically generated for the switches based on the sequence in which
dedicated stack cables are connected, you can run this command to clear all stack configuration.
Running this command will cause the stack to split and member switches to restart.

Page 48 Copyright © 2020 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.
 Example for Configuring a Stack (1)
P1 Stack port 1 Configure logical stack ports and add stack member ports to
them.
P2 Stack port 2
SW1 configuration:
GE0/0/24 GE0/0/24
SW1 P2 P1 SW2
[SW1] interface stack-port 0/1
P1 P2
[SW1-stack-port0/1] port interface gigabitethernet 0/0/23 enable
GE

23
0/
0/

[SW1] interface stack-port 0/2

0/
0/

GE
23

[SW1-stack-port0/2] port interface gigabitethernet 0/0/24 enable

22
GE

0/
0/

0/
0/

GE

SW2 configuration:
21

P2 P1
SW3 [SW2] interface stack-port 0/1
[SW2-stack-port0/1] port interface gigabitethernet 0/0/24 enable
[SW2] interface stack-port 0/2
• SW1, SW2, and SW3 are stacked in a ring topology.
[SW2-stack-port0/2] port interface gigabitethernet 0/0/23 enable
• SW1, SW2, and SW3 are the master, standby, and slave switches
respectively. Their stack IDs are 0, 1, and 2, and their stack priorities are
200, 100, and 100, respectively.

Page 49 Copyright © 2020 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.
 Example for Configuring a Stack (2)
P1 Stack port 1
P2 Stack port 2

GE0/0/24 GE0/0/24
SW1 P2 P1 SW2
P1 P2 SW3 configuration:
GE

23
0/
0/

[SW3] interface stack-port 0/1

0/
0/

GE
23

[SW3-stack-port0/1] port interface gigabitethernet 0/0/22 enable

22
GE

0/ [SW3] interface stack-port 0/2

0/

0/
0/

GE
21

[SW3-stack-port0/2] port interface gigabitethernet 0/0/21 enable

P2 P1
SW3

• SW1, SW2, and SW3 are stacked in a ring topology.

• SW1, SW2, and SW3 are the master, standby, and slave switches
respectively. Their stack IDs are 0, 1, and 2, and their stack priorities are
200, 100, and 100, respectively.

Page 50 Copyright © 2020 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.
 Example for Configuring a Stack (3)
P1 Stack port 1
P2 Stack port 2 Configure the stack ID and stack priority.

GE0/0/24 GE0/0/24 SW1 configuration:

SW1 P2 P1 SW2
[SW1] stack slot 0 priority 2
P1 P2
GE

23
SW2 configuration:

0/
0/

0/
0/

GE
23

[SW2] stack slot 0 renumber 1

22
GE

0/
0/

0/
SW3 configuration:
0/

GE
21

P2 P1 [SW3] stack slot 0 renumber 2

SW3

Save the configuration, power off SW1, SW2, and SW3, connect them
• SW1, SW2, and SW3 are stacked in a ring topology.
using SFP+ cables, and then power them on.
• SW1, SW2, and SW3 are the master, standby, and slave switches
Connect stack-port 0/1 on one switch to stack-port 0/2 on another switch.
respectively. Their stack IDs are 0, 1, and 2, and their stack priorities are
Otherwise, the stack will fail to be set up.
200, 100, and 100, respectively.

Page 51 Copyright © 2020 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.
 CSS Configuration (1)
1. Configure a CSS ID for a member switch.

[Huawei] set css id new-id

By default, the CSS ID of a member switch is 1. Two switches with the same CSS ID cannot set up a CSS. Therefore, you need
to manually set the CSS ID of a member switch to 2 before setting up a CSS.

2. Create a logical CSS port and add CSS member ports to it.

[Huawei] interface css-port port-id

[Huawei-css-port1] port interface { interface-type interface-number1 [ to interface-type interface-number2 ] } &<1-10>
enable

A service port is configured as a CSS member port and added to a logical CSS port.

3. Configure a CSS priority for a member switch.

[Huawei] set css priority priority

By default, the CSS priority of a member switch is 1.

Page 52 Copyright © 2020 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.
 CSS Configuration (2)
4. Enable the CSS function.

[Huawei] css enable

By default, the CSS function is disabled on a switch. When enabling this function, the system asks you whether to restart the
switch immediately to make the configuration take effect.
The CSS function must be enabled on both member switches.

5. Set the CSS connection mode.

[Huawei] set css mode { lpu | css-card }

The default CSS connection mode varies according to the device model.

Page 53 Copyright © 2020 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.
 Example for Configuring a CSS (1)

XGE1/0/1-2 XGE1/0/1-2
Configure the CSS connection mode, CSS ID, and CSS priority for each
SW1 SW2
member switch.
XGE2/0/1-2 XGE2/0/1-2

SW1 configuration:

[SW1] set css mode lpu

• SW1 and SW2 have LPUs installed and are connected through CSS [SW1] set css id 1
cables. To increase the bandwidth and improve reliability, the two
[SW1] set css priority 100
switches are connected through four service ports on two LPUs of each
SW2 configuration:
switch.

• Set the CSS connection mode on SW1 and SW2, and set their CSS IDs [SW2] set css mode lpu

to 1 and 2, respectively. In addition, set their CSS priorities to 100 and [SW2] set css id 2

10, respectively, so that SW1 is more likely to be elected as the master [SW2] set css priority 10

switch.

Page 54 Copyright © 2020 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.
 Example for Configuring a CSS (2)
Configure logical CSS ports.
SW1 configuration:
XGE1/0/1-2 XGE1/0/1-2
[SW1] interface css-port 1
SW1 SW2
[SW1-css-port1] port interface xgigabitethernet 1/0/1 to xgigabitethernet
XGE2/0/1-2 XGE2/0/1-2 1/0/2 enable
[SW1-css-port1] quit
[SW1] interface css-port 2

• SW1 and SW2 have LPUs installed and are connected through CSS [SW1-css-port2] port interface xgigabitethernet 2/0/1 to xgigabitethernet

cables. To increase the bandwidth and improve reliability, the two 2/0/2 enable

switches are connected through four service ports on two LPUs of each [SW1-css-port2] quit

switch. Configure service ports XGE1/0/1 and XGE1/0/2 on SW1 as CSS member
ports and add them to CSS port 1; configure service ports XGE2/0/1 and
• Set the CSS connection mode on SW1 and SW2, and set their CSS IDs
XGE2/0/2 on SW2 as CSS member ports and add them to CSS port 2.
to 1 and 2, respectively. In addition, set their CSS priorities to 100 and
10, respectively, so that SW1 is more likely to be elected as the master The SW2 configuration is similar to the SW1 configuration, and is not
switch. mentioned here.

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 Example for Configuring a CSS (3)

XGE1/0/1-2 XGE1/0/1-2 Enable the CSS function.

SW1 SW2
[SW1] css enable
XGE2/0/1-2 XGE2/0/1-2
Warning: The CSS configuration will take effect only after the system is rebooted.
The next CSS mode is LPU. Reboot now? [Y/N]:y
[SW2] css enable
• SW1 and SW2 have LPUs installed and are connected through CSS Warning: The CSS configuration will take effect only after the system is rebooted.
cables. To increase the bandwidth and improve reliability, the two The next CSS mode is LPU. Reboot now? [Y/N]:y
switches are connected through four service ports on two LPUs of each
switch.

• Set the CSS connection mode on SW1 and SW2, and set their CSS IDs
to 1 and 2, respectively. In addition, set their CSS priorities to 100 and
10, respectively, so that SW1 is more likely to be elected as the master
switch.

Page 56 Copyright © 2020 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.
 Quiz
1. (Essay) What are the differences between stack joining and stack merging?
2. (Essay) What is the purpose of MAD? What will happen in the stack that fails in MAD competition?
3. (Essay) What are the differences between CSS2 and traditional CSS?

Page 57 Copyright © 2020 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.
 Summary
• The stack and CSS techniques greatly simplify network deployment and management, implement fast
deployment of highly reliable and loop-free campus networks, and greatly reduce the impact of network
faults.

• The MAD function can be configured to prevent forwarding exceptions caused by IP and MAC address
conflicts between stacks. MAD can be implemented in direct or relay mode. Member switches in the
stack that fails the MAD competition will shut down all physical ports except the reserved ones.

• To ensure packet forwarding efficiency, you are advised to configure local preferential forwarding when
deploying Eth-Trunks in a stack or CSS.

• CSS2 technology uses CSS cards on SFUs to set up a CSS, and supports the 1+N backup of MPUs by
leveraging the forwarding-control separation architecture of switches.

Page 58 Copyright © 2020 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.
 谢谢
Thank You
www.huawei.com

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