Stack Links

Use stack-links to connect multiple GigaVUE nodes in a unified cluster. The stack-links carry traffic entering one system and bound for another via a map. Stack management traffic uses its own dedicated network connections through the Stacking ports on the Control Cards.

You can construct stack-links either out of single stack ports or a stack GigaStream. However, because of the incredible 10Gb port density offered by the GigaVUE HC Series, using only one 10Gb port for a stack connection could cause a serious bottleneck.

Note: Packet loss may be seen on stack links when traffic exceeds 95% of the line rate. This is because each packet has a 16 bytes higig header added to it, which reduces the throughput.

A stack GigaStream dramatically increases the bandwidth available for stack connections, letting you connect GigaVUE nodes in a cluster and still take advantage of the 10Gb port density. Alternatively, nodes with 40Gb or 100Gb ports can take advantage of their high bandwidth for stack-links. (For more details about clustering, refer to the GigaVUE-OS CLI Reference Guide.)

Stack links are supported at speeds of 10Gb, 40Gb, and 100Gb. Refer to the Hardware Installation Guide for each GigaVUE node for information on stack link support.

Stacking is not supported on GigaVUE‑TA400 in 5.14 release.

When using stack GigaStream for stack links, you must create a stack GigaStream on each side of the stack link and each must consist of the same number of ports running at the same speed.

To create a stack link, do the following:

Select Ports > Stack Links.

Click New.

Enter an alias for the stack link in the Alias field.

Select the Type for this stack link.

Stack Ports specifies that the stack link is between two ports.

Stack GigaStream specifies that the stack link is between GigaStream.

In the First Member and Second Member fields, select the ports or GigaStream for the stack link, depending on the type selected in Step 4

Click Save.