Partner / Owner at Bimel Elektronik Mamuller Paz. Ltd.
Real User
Jul 24, 2020
There are two ways of connecting multiple switches together:
a) Cascade: You connect port of a switch to a port of another switch. This way, you are looking at two independent switches connected to each other (with their independent IP numbers if given). Regular Ethernet cable (copper or fiber) is used for such connections.
b) Stack: You connect the special stacking port (usually at the back) of one switch to the special stacking port of another switch. Usually, these stacking ports have more bandwidth than the front 10 or 100 or 1000 Mbps ports. Special, thick, stacking cables are used for such connections.
Switches stacked together look like a "single switch" and are managed with a single IP address.
But with the recent availability of 10 or 40 or 100 Gbps ports it has been common usage to stack switches via their uplink ports. This tecnique also enables long distance stacking by using fiber interfaces and fiber cabling.
Using these high bandwidth uplink ports, I don't see too much difference/usage between cascade connection and stack connection.
However, recent technologies enable stacked switches to form redundant backbone topologies using Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP).
Switch1 ---- Switch2
\ /
\ /
Switch3 Switch4 .... Switch15
Switch1 and Switch2 are stacked together. Switch3, Switch4, ... are connected to both of them. These two lines connected to Switch1 and Switch2 can be grouped together under LACP because stacked Switch1 and Switch2 act like a single switch.
Stacked Switch
I I
I I
I I
Edge Switch
This way, if either of the two backbone switches fail (Switch1 or 2), the other switch will still provide connectivity to edge switches (Switch3, 4, ...).
Better alternative to stacking will be using a chassis switch. It is a better alternative because chassis switch backplane usually has more bandwidth compared to 10 or 40 or 100 Gbps connections of a stacked group of switches.
Disadvantage of a chassis switch will be its high price. Usually chassis switch power supplies and line cards are epensive. Chassis switch control cards are even more expensive.
Senior Network Admin at a educational organization with 501-1,000 employees
Real User
May 30, 2022
Larger networks benefit from stack switching, in order to manage the stack from a single IP address and to reduce the number of uplinks needed to a central hub.
Therefore, it's more efficient to have a stack rather than several loose switches.
Smaller networks (where there are 1 or 2 switches in a cabinet) will have no benefit from stacking.
Manager IT at a healthcare company with 201-500 employees
Real User
Top 10
Aug 8, 2020
Stack switches will save multiple IP, a single IP will use for complete stack and get more ports on switch. No need to manage multiple switches. single adminsitation.
Ethernet Switches are essential for building reliable and scalable network infrastructure, allowing seamless connectivity and efficient data management within businesses. They help manage network traffic, connecting multiple devices to form a local area network. Ethernet Switches play a crucial role in enhancing network performance by ensuring rapid data transfers and reduced latency. These devices come in varying port densities and capabilities to meet diverse enterprise needs, from small...
There are two ways of connecting multiple switches together:
a) Cascade: You connect port of a switch to a port of another switch. This way, you are looking at two independent switches connected to each other (with their independent IP numbers if given). Regular Ethernet cable (copper or fiber) is used for such connections.
b) Stack: You connect the special stacking port (usually at the back) of one switch to the special stacking port of another switch. Usually, these stacking ports have more bandwidth than the front 10 or 100 or 1000 Mbps ports. Special, thick, stacking cables are used for such connections.
Switches stacked together look like a "single switch" and are managed with a single IP address.
But with the recent availability of 10 or 40 or 100 Gbps ports it has been common usage to stack switches via their uplink ports. This tecnique also enables long distance stacking by using fiber interfaces and fiber cabling.
Using these high bandwidth uplink ports, I don't see too much difference/usage between cascade connection and stack connection.
However, recent technologies enable stacked switches to form redundant backbone topologies using Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP).
Switch1 ---- Switch2
\ /
\ /
Switch3 Switch4 .... Switch15
Switch1 and Switch2 are stacked together. Switch3, Switch4, ... are connected to both of them. These two lines connected to Switch1 and Switch2 can be grouped together under LACP because stacked Switch1 and Switch2 act like a single switch.
Stacked Switch
I I
I I
I I
Edge Switch
This way, if either of the two backbone switches fail (Switch1 or 2), the other switch will still provide connectivity to edge switches (Switch3, 4, ...).
Better alternative to stacking will be using a chassis switch. It is a better alternative because chassis switch backplane usually has more bandwidth compared to 10 or 40 or 100 Gbps connections of a stacked group of switches.
Disadvantage of a chassis switch will be its high price. Usually chassis switch power supplies and line cards are epensive. Chassis switch control cards are even more expensive.
Thanks @Ender Kefoglu, this is a really helpful answer!
It reduces costs of operations.
Additional switches can be added and unwanted switches can be removed at any time without affecting smooth operations of the network.
Larger networks benefit from stack switching, in order to manage the stack from a single IP address and to reduce the number of uplinks needed to a central hub.
Therefore, it's more efficient to have a stack rather than several loose switches.
Smaller networks (where there are 1 or 2 switches in a cabinet) will have no benefit from stacking.
Stack switches will save multiple IP, a single IP will use for complete stack and get more ports on switch. No need to manage multiple switches. single adminsitation.