stack or 2 separate cores ?

carl_townshend · ‎06-30-2014

Hi All

I am looking at replacing the core of my network with a stack of 4 3850 switches, basically, each edge switch will connect back to 2 separate switches in the stack.

Is this effectively as good as having 2 separate core switches? and we wont need hsrp etc!!

cheers

mmoulson1 · ‎06-30-2014

It's better! like you said no HRSP so no timers to worry about, you can build your port channels across the stacks so giving you more bandwidth on your uplinks.

Sure there are loads more reasons as well!

Joseph W. Doherty · ‎06-30-2014

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Posting

Hmm, you didn't note whether this is a L2 or L3 core.

As the other poster has noted, generally the stack is superior to standalone switches, although, in theory, a dual L3 core offers a bit higher reliability as you're not sharing the same IOS on the same logical platform.

Leo Laohoo · ‎06-30-2014

I'd go with stacking, Carl.

The switchover, when one fails to another, is instantaneous and configuring something to that reaction time on a stand-alone is very, very complicated.