Stacking between MS210-24P-HW and MS210-48LP-HW

[Par_23]

Hi Team

We have proposed solution virtual stacking between 1 QTY = MS210-24P-HW and 4 QTY = MS210-48LP-HW via 5 QTY MA-SFP-1GB-SX. 

Is possible virtual stacking with 5 switch ?

Please suggest your best practice. 

Reagrds

Par 23.

[DarrenOC]

Hi @Par_23 

Why not physically stacked using the Meraki stack cable?  You can have upto 8 switches in the stack.  Stack has to contain same model switches.

https://documentation.meraki.com/MS/Stacking/Switch_Stacks

[Par_23]

Hi 

Thanks for update but kindly refer datasheet.

Stacking capabilities - Compatible with MS225, 80G physical + virtual

https://meraki.cisco.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/meraki_datasheet_ms_family.pdf

Physical stacking required MA-CBL-40G-3M which is extra cost so for cost optimization recommended virtual stacking. 

My question is can we do stacking with 5 switch ? or best practice 3 stacking and another 2 stacking. 

Appreciate your suggestion. Please suggest. 

Regards

Par 23

[ww]

Yes you can do virtual stacking https://documentation.meraki.com/MS/Stacking/Switch_Stacks#Understanding_Virtual_Stacking

This is however not the same as hardware stacking so you rely  on spanning-tree

Cant say if 5 sfp is correct without knowledge of how and where you connect them.

[GIdenJoe]

Errm,

Let's get something straight.

Virtual stacking is a fancy marketing term that does not involve any action from the administrator.  It simply means you can edit all switchports from all switches in one dashboard network.

The actual stacking methods are:

Physical stacking (with stacking cables in 0.5m, 1m or 3m variants) which confines your switches to one MS family and physical location in one rack/closet.  Exception is that the MS210 and MS225 families can be stacked together.

Flexible stacking:
This makes a physical stack between multiple switches that are further apart from each other using normal fiber.  This feature is ONLY supported on the MS425 switches and has some resemblance to HP's IRF stack feature since it also supports more than 2 switches.  The reason for flexible stacking is that you are more likely to have a distribution block or core switch block that is in a different location to survive physical events in one dataroom.

[cmr]

@Par_23 you would need 10x SFP modules as you need a loop of connections, so each switch needs two.  If you speak to a Meraki representative the cost of the DAC cables used to connect the actual stacking ports should be less than the cost of 10x SFP modules and 5x fibre patch cables.

[PhilipDAth]

Can you describe the solution more.  Are all the switches going in the same rack, or are they in separate buildings, etc.