Catalyst 2960X Stacking is a so popular issue for Cisco users. How much do you know the key stacking modules for Catalyst 2960-X and Catalyst 2960-XR Series? How many types of stacking modules can be used on 2960-X and Catalyst 2960-XR? In the following part we will share the main comparison and features of three 2960-X/Catalyst 2960-XR stacking modules.
Cisco Catalyst 2960-X and Catalyst 2960-XR Series Switches offer three types of stacking modules:
- C2960X-STACK: Cisco Catalyst 2960-X FlexStack-Plus Stack Module
- C2960X-FIBER-STK (NEW): Catalyst 2960-X FlexStack-Extended Stack Module
- C2960X-HYBRID-STK (NEW): FlexStack-Extended Hybrid Module
Read the detailed features of stacking modules: C2960X-STACK, C2960X-FIBER-STK and C2960X-HYBRID-STK
Stack Module Slot Location
FlexStack-Plus Module (C2960X-STACK):
The FlexStack-Plus module allows stacking over copper and provides high bandwidth of up to 80 Gbps over short distances (up to 3 m [10 ft]). The module supports stacking cable of 0.5 m, 1 m, or 3 m in length (1.5 ft, 3 ft, or 10 ft).
- CAB-STK-E-0.5M= (0.5-m [1.5-ft] cable)
- CAB-STK-E-1M= (1-m [3-ft] cable)
- CAB-STK-E-3M= (3-m [10-ft] cable)
FlexStack-Plus Module
1.1 Stacking Topologies with FlexStack-Plus Modules
Up to eight Cisco Catalyst 2960-X or 2960-XR Series Switches in a single wiring closet can be stacked in a ring topology with FlexStack-Plus modules and cables. The ring topology helps ensure redundancy for stacking.
Short Range High Bandwidth Stacking
Get the Best Price for C2960X-STACK
The module allows stacking over SFP+ ports and provides stacking bandwidth of up to 40 Gpbs over longer distance. It can be used to stack switches across wiring closets on different floors of a building or across different buildings in a campus.
The FlexStack-Extended Fiber module has two SFP+ ports. The SFP+ transceivers supported on these ports are listed in the compatibility matrix. Chooses appropriate SFP+ transreceivers based on the distance required between switches.
Learn more: The Latest Updated: SFP Modules for Cisco Catalyst 2960-X Series
FlexStack-Extended Fiber Module
2.1 Stacking Topologies with FlexStack-Extended Fiber Modules
Individual Cisco Catalyst 2960-X or 2960-XR Series Switches spread across multiple wiring closets on different floors of a building or in different buildings of a campus can be stacked with the FlexStack-Extended fiber modules. Up to eight switches can be stacked together. Stacking bandwidth is 40 Gbps.
Stacking across Multiple Floors of a Building
Stacking across Multiple Floors and Multiple Buildings in a Campus
The FlexStack-Extended hybrid module has one SFP+ port and one copper FlexStack-Plus port.
The fiber port allows you to extend stacking over long distances. The SFP+ transceivers supported on these ports are listed in the compatibility matrix. Choose appropriate SFP+ transceivers based on the distance between switches.
The copper FlexStack-Plus port allows the switch to stack with FlexStack-Plus stacks. This port supports the copper FlexStack-Plus cable:
- CAB-STK-E-0.5M= (0.5-m [1.5-ft] cable)
- CAB-STK-E-1M= (1-m [3-ft] cable)
- CAB-STK-E-3M= (3-m [10-ft] cable)
FlexStack-Extended Hybrid Module
3.1 Stacking Topologies with Flexstack-Extended Hybrid Modules
The FlexStack-Extended hybrid module allows you to combine an existing stack of switches and new switches spread across multiple wiring closets on different floors of a building or across multiple buildings of a campus.
The copper FlexStack-Plus port on the FlexStack-Extended hybrid module should be connected to the FlexStack-Plus port on the C2960X STACK module.
The fiber port on the FlexStack-Extended hybrid module can then be used to connect to switches over long distances.
Hybrid Stack of FlexStack-Plus and FlexStack-Extended Modules
Learn more: FlexStack vs. FlexStack-Plus
Comparison of FlexStack-Plus and FlexStack-Extended Modules
Table1 presents a comparison of the FlexStack-Plus and FlexStack-Extended modules.
Table1. Comparison of FlexStack-Plus and FlexStack-Extended modules
FlexStack-Plus module | FlexStack-Extended fiber module | FlexStack-Extended hybrid module | |
| Model | C2960X‑STACK | C2960X-FIBER-STK (NEW) | C2960X-HYBRID-STK (NEW) |
| Stack cables | CAB-STK-E-0.5M /More Cisco Serial Cables Options | Fiber cable based on SFP+ transceiver chosen | Fiber cable based on SFP+ transceiver chosen and CAB-STK-E-0.5M / CAB-STK-E-1M / CAB-STK-E-3M |
| Distance between stack switches | Short range limited to 3 m (10 ft) | Fiber port ensures long-range connectivity (distance limit based on SFP+ transceiver and fiber used) | 1 fiber port ensures long-range connectivity (distance limit based on SFP+ transceiver and fiber used) and short range limited to |
| Stack ports | 2x 40 Gbps | 2x 10 Gbps fiber | 1x 40 Gbps and 1x 10 Gbps |
| Number of switches in stack | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Stacking bandwidth | 80 Gbps | 40 Gbps | 40 Gbps |
| Cisco IOS Software release required | 15.2(6)E or later | 15.2(6)E or later | |
| Compatible with 2960-S or 2960-S LAN Base | Yes | No | No |
- If there is an existing stack of Cisco Catalyst 2960-X or 2960-XR Series Switches, the hybrid FlexStack-Extended module allows you to add new switches across the wiring closet to the same stack.
- FlexStack-Extended modules (fiber and hybrid) are supported beginning with Cisco IOS Software Release 15.2(6)E. Refer to Tables 25 and 26 below.
Table25. Cisco Catalyst 2960-X product IDs for Cisco DNA Essentials licenses
| Ports | Product ID | Description |
| 24 | C2960X-DNA-E-24= | C2960X DNA Essentials, 24-port term licenses |
| C2960X-DNA-E-24-3Y | C2960X DNA Essentials, 24-port, 3-year term licenses | |
| C2960X-DNA-E-24-5Y | C2960X DNA Essentials, 24-port, 5-year term licenses | |
| 48 | C2960X-DNA-E-48= | C2960X DNA Essentials, 48-port term licenses |
| C2960X-DNA-E-48-3Y | C2960X DNA Essentials, 48-port, 3-year term licenses | |
| C2960X-DNA-E-48-5Y | C2960X DNA Essentials, 48-port, 5-year term licenses |
Table26. Cisco Catalyst 2960-XR product IDs for Cisco DNA Essentials licenses
| Ports | Product ID | Description |
| 24 | C2960XR-DNA-E-24= | C2960XR DNA Essentials, 24-port term licenses |
| C2960XR-DNA-E-24-3 | C2960XR DNA Essentials, 24-port, 3-year term licenses | |
| C2960XR-DNA-E-24-5 | C2960XR DNA Essentials, 24-port, 5-year term licenses | |
| 48 | C2960XR-DNA-E-48= | C2960XR DNA Essentials, 48-port term licenses |
| C2960XR-DNA-E-48-3 | C2960XR DNA Essentials, 48-port, 3-year term licenses | |
| C2960XR-DNA-E-48-5 | C2960XR DNA Essentials, 48-port, 5-year term licenses |
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