Faulty switch in stack

[askteasy]

We have a hardware fault with one of our switches (WS-C3750G-24TS), this switch was part of a stack.  The faulty switch was switch 2 in the stack.

We do have hardware support on the switch but we have been advised that WS-C3750G-24TS is EOL and we cannot get the same replacement model.  Apparently the WS-C3750X-24T-S is considered its replacement but will this work in my stack to replace my switch 2 that is faulty, bearing in mind it is a different model and IOS version?

Below is the show version from my switch stack.

Switch   Ports  Model              SW Version              SW Image

------   -----  -----              ----------              ----------

     1   28     WS-C3750G-24TS     12.2(35)SE5             C3750-IPBASE-M

     3   12     WS-C3750G-12S      12.2(35)SE5             C3750-IPBASE-M

     4   12     WS-C3750G-12S      12.2(35)SE5             C3750-IPBASE-M

*    5   12     WS-C3750G-12S      12.2(35)SE5             C3750-IPBASE-M

[nkarpysh]

Hello,

If you have valid contract you still should be able to replace your switch to same model. Do you have SR opened?

Niko

[askteasy]

I contacted Cisco directly and they said we don't have a support contract on the device but it is under a hardware warranty until next year if it has a hardware fault but we had to contact the original supplier of the switch for a replacement.

We contacted the original supplier and they said they couldn't get the same model as it's end of life now and they could offer a credit note (although the exact amount is still to be confirmed). 

I guess I would like to put a newer model in ideally but I don't think this would work with our stack due to IOS mismatch and I would guess it is a bad move to try and downgrade the newer switch to an older IOS.  How do I tell if it would even be compatible with the other switches in the stack?

[devils_advocate · Accepted solution]

You can stack an X series with the G series as long as the IOS is the same.

[askteasy]

Is it possible to downgrade the X series to IOS 12.2(35)SE5, so it's the same as the other switches.  Or will the X series not work correctly with the older IOS version (as it probably didn't exist when this IOS was created).

The other switches are not under contract either so I guess that rules out upgrading them to a later IOS to match the version the X series comes with?

I guess the last option would be to buy support contracts on all the equipment and Cisco would then be able to assist me with the upgrade options/replacement.  This is something we are looking at but will take a while for the costs to be approved and we need to get a replacement sorted before it will likely be signed off by the client.

[Leo Laohoo · Accepted solution]

Is it possible to downgrade the X series to IOS 12.2(35)SE5

Not possible.  The "lowest" IOS version an "X" can go is 12.2(55)SE.

You will need to consider upgrading the IOS of the stack to this level.

[Leo Laohoo]

Thanks for the ratings, Lee.