Virtual Chassis Stacking

Using Allied Telesis VCStack™ in your network allows multiple switches to appear as a single virtual chassis.

In normal operation, this virtual chassis acts as a single switch, simplifying management. The diagram shows link aggregation between the core VCStack™ and the edge switches. With link aggregation across ports on different virtual chassis members, there is no perceptible disruption in the case of a link failure, and the full bandwidth of the network remains available. Near hitless failover ensures absolutely minimal network downtime in the event of a problem.

VCStack and link aggregation provide a solution where servers and other network resources are spread across the virtual chassis members, ensuring device and path resiliency. Virtualization of the network core ensures uninterrupted access to information when needed. An Allied Telesis VCStack can even be spread over long distance, as fiber stacking connectivity means that stack members do not have to be collocated, but can be kilometers apart. A long-distance VCStack is perfect for distributed network environments, or data-mirroring solutions that support automated disaster recovery.

Chassis Aggregation with VCStack Plus

Allied Telesis stacking technology extends to chassis switches with VCStack Plus, where two SwitchBlade x8100 Series chassis switches can be stacked together. This provides all of the resiliency benefits of a real chassis switch with its dual controllers, multiple power supplies, hot-swappable components and so on – but doubled for the ultimate large network core solution. Large enterprises demand ready access to online resources and applications, and VCStack Plus enables a high-performing network that is always available and can seamlessly carry multiple converged services.

The diagram shows two SwitchBlade x8100 Series chassis switches with dual controllers combining to form a single virtual unit with VCStack Plus. This powerful large network core offers complete resiliency and the simplicity of managing just one virtual device.

With the benefits of high availability, increased capacity and ease of management, Allied Telesis VCStack technology makes networks reliable and simple.