Introduction to Switch Stacking & Clustering

Before discussing the difference between switch stacking and clustering, let’s understand the two technologies in brief.

Stacking technology unites multiple switches into a single logical unit, using stack interconnect cables. The stack behaves as a single switching unit that is managed by a master switch elected from one of the member switches.

Stacking

Cisco Switch Clustering technology is a set of software features available to all Catalyst 3500 XL, 2900 XL, 2955/2950, 2970, 3550, 3560, 3750, 4500, and Catalyst 1900/2820 Standard and Enterprise Edition switches. Switch Clustering technology allows to manage up to 16 switches, concurrently, through a single IP address

Clustering

Comparison Table: Switch Stacking vs Clustering

Below table enumerates the difference between Stacking and Clustering –

PARAMETER	STACKING	CLUSTERING
Philosophy	Stacking connects two or more (up to 9) switches through a stack cable to so that physically separate switches form one logical switch. The stack of switches will be managed as one and having one management IP address. Stacking connects the backplane of the switches thus having full backplane speed connectivity between the switches.	Clustering is a logical collection of switches independent without interconnecting stack cables, having single point of authentication and management with no physical boundary.
Location	Limited to single wiring closet	Extends beyond wiring closet
Legacy system support	Legacy system not support	Legacy system supported
Stack members	Limited number of stack members	Upto 16 members in a switch cluster
Member categories	Switch members in stack can be categorized into – ·Master ·Slave	Switch members in cluster can be categorized into – ·Command switch ·Member switches ·Candidate switches
Design flexibility	No flexibility in stacking design	Admin chooses the cluster members
Scalability	Easily Scalable	Not easily scalable as compared to stacking
Management	Single IP address for management	It provides single virtual IP address for full cluster management and Web based management.
Price vs performance	Low entry price and high performance.	High entry price and less performance.
Administration complexity	Difficult to add/delete members and troubleshoot	Easy to configure and troubleshoot
Supported models	3750X , 3850 ,2960X etc.	2970, 3550, 3560, 3750, 4500 etc.

Download the comparison table here.

More detail on Switch Clustering is available via below link –

http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/switches/catalyst-3750-series-switches/10585-64.html

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rashmi Bhardwaj

I am here to share my knowledge and experience in the field of networking with the goal being – “The more you share, the more you learn.”

I am a biotechnologist by qualification and a Network Enthusiast by interest. I developed interest in networking being in the company of a passionate Network Professional, my husband.

I am a strong believer of the fact that “learning is a constant process of discovering yourself.”
– Rashmi Bhardwaj (Author/Editor)