1.Switch cascading

This is the most common way to connect multiple switches. It connects through the UpLink on the switch. It should be noted that the switches cannot be cascaded without limitation. Cascading over a certain number of switches will eventually cause broadcast storms, which will lead to a serious drop in network performance. Cascading is further divided into using ordinary port cascading and using Uplink port cascading.

1.1. Use ordinary port cascading

The so-called ordinary port is through a switch of a common port (such as RJ-45 port) to connect. In the past, it was necessary to use the reverse connection. Now the two ends of the network cable are 568b line sequence. The jumper line is 568a line and 568b line sequence. According to the need, the old version of the device will distinguish the direct line from the crossover line. Now the devices are all common. What kind of consequences, the switch can automatically identify, and only the line can be wrong.

1.2. Use Uplink port cascading

In all switch ports, an Uplink port is included next to it. This port is provided exclusively for upstream connections. Simply connect the port to a port on the other switch except for the "Uplink port" through a straight-through twisted pair (note that it is not the Uplink port that is connected to each other).

2.Switch stack

This type of connection is mainly used in large networks where port requirements are relatively large. The stacking of switches is the quickest and most convenient way to expand ports. At the same time, the bandwidth after stacking is several-tenths of the speed of a single switch port. But not all switches support stacking, depending on whether the switch's brand or model supports stacking.

It is mainly connected through a dedicated connection cable provided by the manufacturer from the "UP" stack port of one switch to the "DOWN" stack port of another switch. All switches in a stack can be managed as a single switch. Stacked switches are limited by the type and mutual distance. First, the stack switches must support stacking; in addition, the stacked connection cables provided by the manufacturers are generally around 1M, so the stacking function can only be used within a short distance.

3. Cluster

In the so-called cluster, multiple interconnected (cascaded or stacked) switches are managed as a logical device. In a cluster, there is generally only one switch that functions as a management switch, which is called a command switch. It can manage several other switches. In the network, these switches only need to occupy one IP address (only required by the command switch). Under unified management of the command switch, multiple switches in the cluster work together to greatly reduce management intensity.

It should be noted that different manufacturers have different implementations for clusters, and generally manufacturers use proprietary protocols to implement clusters. This determines the cluster technology has its limitations. Switches of different manufacturers can be cascaded but cannot be clustered.

Switching, stacking, and clustering are three different technologies. Cascading and stacking are prerequisites for implementing clusters. Clusters are used for cascading and stacking; cascading and stacking are implemented based on hardware; clusters are implemented based on software; cascading and stacking are sometimes similar (especially cascading and virtual Stacking), sometimes very different (cascade and real stacking).Please feel free to contact Fiber-Mart if you have any needs or questions.we will provide you with the most professional service.