Configuring Stacking on Dell 6248 Switches

I opened up a set of new Power Connect 6248’s today and 4 stacking modules as well. I installed both stacking modules, and then connected the stacking cables as laid out in the installation manual (Switch 1 Port 1 going to Switch 2 Port 2, and Switch 2 Port 1 going to Switch 1 Port 2) and then turned them on.

To my surprise they both had the  “Master” light lit, and both had stack ID light of “1” lit. I consoled into each of them, and neither saw the other switch, even though all of the cables were correct, and the instruction manual said that nothing else needed to be preformed. The manual stated that the first switch started would automatically become master, and the others would just fall in line after it, this was not the case for me.

Here is what I had to do to get them working properly, and performing like stacked switches:

  1. log into the first switch via the console
  2. Type “show stack-port” and then press enter, this should verify that your stack ports are set to “ethernet” instead of “stack” which is why they are not forming a stack
  3. Type “config”, press enter, and then type “stack” and press enter.
  4. Type “stack-port 1/xg1 stack” and then press enter.
  5. Type “stack-port 1/xg2 stack” and then press enter.
  6. Repeat these steps on the other switch, and then reboot both of them. But don’t forget to Type “Copy run start” before rebooting.
  7. Once they both reboot only one should be displaying the “Master” light now, move your console cable to this switch, log into the console and type “show switch”. Both switches should now be listed, one as the master (the one you are console connected to, and the other(s) in “Oper Stby” waiting to assume the master role if the master fails.

16 thoughts on “Configuring Stacking on Dell 6248 Switches

  1. Pingback: Configuring a Dell 6248 Switch Stack for use with a EqualLogic PS4000E Storage Array | The Day to Day Findings of an IT Engineer

  2. Christopher Hylarides

    Thanks so much! I’m alone in a remote datacentre today and, despite having previously installed half a dozen stacks of 6248s, ran into exactly this problem. While it’s nice to have the flexibility to change the stack ports to 10GE, you’d think it’d be nice to leave the default to stacking.

    Reply
  3. Jose

    Thank you very much! This article saved me!
    I’m shocked it is not provided on the Dell Power Connect 6200 series documentation.

    Reply
  4. JackOfAllTrades

    Thank you very much. I, too, have installed many of these stacks and never run into this. Dell, pull your head out of your a$$ and put this stuff in your stacking manuals!

    Reply
  5. Pingback: Phy2Vir | An IT Notes Blog | Configure XG1 and XG2 on 62xx in stack mode.

  6. Paul Azad

    Thanks for this, i have setup a few 6200 stacks, and never needed to do this. But i am glad i came across this article as i though i was going nuts!

    Reply
  7. Will Peters

    I’ve run into this issue a couple times and can never remember the command, so thanks! I’m pretty sure the issue is related to there being two CX4 Modules that will both work in Bay 1, one is a Stacking Module (this only works in Bay 1) and the other is the CX4 module that works in Bay 2, but also works in Bay 1… I’m assuming the type of card establishes what it should default to.

    Dunno if the Stacking Module is anything special, but I do know that it won’t physically go into Bay 2, I don’t have a switch with the 2.0 ver on it but I’m pretty sure this command was added after the fact in version 3

    Reply
  8. eric

    Hello,

    i ended up with a 6224 and two stacking modules. As you said, the stacking modules will not work on bay 2. It looks like the only physical problem is a short riser and the lack of a cutout in the module base.

    Is it possible to cut off the riser or just drill out a channel to allow the use of two stacking modules? thanks for any help.. eric

    Reply

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