What Is a Cascading Failure?

With the increase in the number of computers and the expansion of the network scale, in more and more LAN environments, switches have replaced hubs, and multiple switches have interconnected to replace a single switch.

Switch cascading

With the increase in the number of computers and the expansion of the network scale, more and more

considering

Cascade can be defined as two or more

Stacking means placing more than one

The so-called cluster is to manage multiple interconnected (cascaded or stacked) switches as one logical device. In a cluster, there is usually only one switch that functions as a management switch, 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), saving valuable IP addresses. Under the unified management of command switches, multiple switches in the cluster work together, greatly reducing the management intensity.

The benefits that cluster technology brings to network management are beyond doubt. However, to use this technology, it should be noted that different manufacturers have different implementation schemes for clusters. Generally, manufacturers use proprietary protocols to implement clusters. This determines the limitations of cluster technology. Switches from different manufacturers can be cascaded, but not clustered. Even with switches of the same manufacturer, only the specified models can implement the cluster. For example, the CISCO 3500XL series can only be clustered with the 1900, 2800, and 2900XL series.

The three technologies of cascading, stacking, and clustering of switches are both different and related. Cascading and stacking are prerequisites for implementing clusters. Clusters are for cascading and stacking purposes; 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), and sometimes very different (cascading and true stacking). With the development of local area network and metropolitan area network, the above three technologies will surely be used more and more widely.