\n Cisco Flex Stack-Plus network switch module\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Manufacturer:\n Cisco\n \n \n Category:\n Networking\n \n \n Sub-Category:\n Network Switch Modules\n \n \n SKU:\n C2960X-STACK=\n \n \n EAN:\n 0882658613708 5712505493359 4053162353336 8826586137082 3609740156854 3609740149023 5054533507289 5052916693239 0618840317938 5054629956519\n \n \n \n \n\n Description\n \n \n Flex Stack is the name of the stacking technology used by the Cisco Catalyst 2960-S Series of fixed Ethernet switches. Flex Stack is specific to Cisco Catalyst 2960-S switches, & only Cisco Catalyst 2960-S Series Switches use Flex Stack.\n\n\n\n Flex Stack-Plus is the name of the stacking technology used by the Cisco Catalyst 2960-X & 2960-XR Series of fixed Ethernet switches. Flex Stack-Plus is specific to the 2960-X & 2960-XR Series of switches.\n\n\n\n Both Flex Stack & Flex Stack-Plus require a specific external module in order to stack together. In addition to the Flex Stack & Flex Stack-Plus modules, a special Flex Stack cable is also required to interconnect the modules. There are two different modules for Flex Stack. The Flex Stack module (PID: 2960S-STACK) is for 2960-S, & the Flex Stack-Plus module (PID: 2960X-STACK) is for 2960-X & 2960-XR. These two modules are different sizes & cannot be inserted into the wrong 2960 model. Each Flex Stack module supports two Flex Stack ports. The Flex Stack module is inserted into the rear of the Cisco Catalyst 2960 switch. Two Flex Stack cables, inserted into the Flex Stack module, provide data path redundancy for traffic flowing across the stack. Using Flex Stack cables, the physical members of the stack form a ring, providing the built-in redundant data path for each member of the stack. Flex Stack & Flex Stack-Plus share the same stack cable types. You do not need different Flex Stack cable types for Flex Stack & Flex Stack-Plus.\n\n\n\n Flex Stack & Flex Stack-Plus are optional. In order for a 2960 switch to stack, a separate Flex Stack or Flex Stack-Plus module (depending upon your exact 2960 model) must be inserted in the rear of the switch. Without this module, stacking cannot function. Figure 3 shows a Flex Stack-Plus module to be inserted into the rear of a Cisco Catalyst 2960-X switch. All Flex Stack module types are hot swappable.\n\n\n\n Cisco Catalyst 2960 switches running Flex Stack & Flex Stack-Plus use a hop-by-hop method of transferring Ethernet packets across the stack. Packets traverse the stack by going from one member to another over the Flex Stack links until the packet reaches its destination. This is a behavior similar to that of multiple standalone Ethernet switches forwarding packets from one switch to another.\n\n\n\n Switches in a stack communicate with each other using the Flex Stack protocol. The Flex Stack protocol allows the Flex Stack members to behave as one logical switch. The Flex Stack protocol runs on each member. The Flex Stack protocol is used by the master switch to manage the other members. The master tracks the presence of each member, the member&153;s availability, the Cisco IOS&174; Software image, & the status of each member&153;s Flex Stack connections. The Flex Stack protocol is the same for Flex Stack on the 2960-S models & the 2960-X & XR models. Because it is the same protocol for all models of 2960, the different 2960 model types can be stacked together.\n \n \n\n Specifications\n \n Performance Mean time between failures (MTBF)17128090 h Endurance Mean time between failures (MTBF)17128090 h\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n