Hub-n-spoke is not always practical from a budget perspective.
I think of cascading and stacking as basically the same thing in terms of
physical topology. Creating a switch cluster (stack as you call it) simply
provides a single management interface for the entire cluster. A cluster
does not need to be a physical stack of switches, however, as they can be
spread out across the LAN.
Now, when it comes to the maximum number of switches that you can stack,
that depends on the technology involved. There are distinct limitations to
each. With Cisco's GigaStack GBICs, you can stack up to 9 switches in
half-duplex mode. You could also simply use crossover cables between the
10/100 ports, but the stack size limitation is probably different when doing
this. In comparison, 3Com's matrix module only supports a stack of 4
switches within the shared backplane.
As Gareth suggested, hub-n-spoke is a better way to go, but you should
dedicate a switch just for the hub function and then uplink all of the other
switches to it. This way, you prevent frames from crossing the entire
backbone and going through every switch, which could happen in a stacked
configuration. A little more expensive, but better in the long run.
Rik
-----Original Message-----
From: Gareth Hinton [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
Sent: Wednesday, January 24, 2001 6:48 PM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: Cascading Switches
Why cascade them rather than using hub/spoke connectivity?
Gareth
""Maness, Drew"" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message
[EMAIL PROTECTED]">news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]...
> I've looked through the archives as well as on CCO but could not find a
> definite answer to the limit of "cascading" switches, specifically
catalyst
> 2900's. I saw the discussion earlier this year/last year that talked
about
> the difference between "cascading" and "stacking". I'm not looking for
> shared management (stacking) but just how many switches can I cascade
> together to get the highest port concentration. Just a simple (or bad
> network design)of one switch to another to another to N... because I ran
out
> of ports and do not want to by a real switch scenario.... How many can I
> connect?
>
> My first reaction to this question was that it had to be limited by the
CAM
> of each switch but can't find an answer. Again it is for the 2900 series
> switch.
>
> Thanks
>
> Drew
>
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