I am starting a new position as a network admin on a nortel network. dang, is this difficult or what. But thanks for the info! has really helped me look good in front of the boss :)

If you add a switch to an existing switch (assuming the base DIP switch is set) the configuration of the original switch will prevail and the new switch will be referenced as ports 2/1-24. If you want the 5520 as the base switch you’ll probably need to document your configuration, stack the switches together, factory reset them and then re-configure them.

Have a look at the discussion forums for additional information; http://forums.networkinfrastructure.info/nortel-ethernet-switching/

Good Luck!

Good Luck!

The selection of a specific unit (switch) to act as the base should be independent of the configuration so long as you are not re-numbering the units (switches) in the stack.

I would advise you to power down the entire stack, make your DIP switch changes and then power back on the stack.

Good Luck!

Just a quick question.

i have a stack of 5 switches and wish to select i new base unit. Base unit is currently set unit 5 would like unit 1. If i power off the base unit and move the dip switch + switch off unit 4-2 Unit 1 will be the temporary base. If i then toggle the dip switch to make it base and re-boot with the other switches connected will unit 1 stay as base and the configurations be ok?

The stack is designed to be resilient to a single switch failure. You’ll obviously loose access to any devices that connected to the switch that has failed although the stack will continue to function. In the event that the base switch fails the stack will elect a temporary base switch.

It’s generally a good idea to spread your uplinks across multiple switches in the stack so if a single switch fails you don’t loose all the uplinks out of the stack.

This concept would hold true for any trunk configuration (same for any dual home servers). You would use ports on different switches in the stack so in the event of a single switch failure you would still have at least 1 link still running.

Good Luck!

Anyone had a switch fail in a stack?
Let’s say 4 stacked switches, BayStack 425-48T, connected via firewire cables in tha back: 1->2, 2->3, 3->4, 4->1. 1 is the base.
Let’s say switch 3 fails. What happens then? What if the base (1) fails?
If i have another stack connected to chis one with 2 ethernet cables, configured with trunking, will the link between the stacks continue to function?

Thanks for any answer, unfortunately I can’t afford to have a test setup (to many expensive switches to buy just for testing different scenarions).

You should find quite a bit of information here and some additional information over on the fourms. I’ve already created links in the FAQ topics to some of the more important technical configuration guides.

Good Luck!