Chassis Aggregation vs. Stacking Switches: Benefits and Considerations

Chassis Aggregation vs. Stacking Switches

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Question

For which two reasons might be you choose chassis aggregation instead of stacking switches? (Choose two.)

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A. B. C. D. E.

AC

Chassis aggregation and stacking switches are two methods used to increase network capacity and performance by combining multiple switches into a single logical entity. However, there are some differences between these two technologies that make them suitable for different scenarios. Here are the two reasons why you might choose chassis aggregation instead of stacking switches:

  1. To increase the maximum port count: One of the main benefits of chassis aggregation is the ability to combine multiple switches into a single logical entity, with a much larger number of ports than a single switch could provide. This is particularly useful in large enterprise networks, data centers, or service provider environments where high port densities are required to accommodate large numbers of devices. In contrast, stacking switches typically have a maximum port count that is limited by the capacity of the stack ring, which may not be sufficient for some applications.

  2. To allow hot-swapping modules: Another advantage of chassis aggregation is the ability to hot-swap modules, which means you can replace or add modules to the switch without disrupting network operations. This feature is critical in environments where high availability is required, and any downtime could result in significant business losses. In contrast, stacking switches typically do not support hot-swapping of modules, and you may need to shut down the entire stack to add or replace a module, causing network downtime.

The other options, including A, C, and E are not reasons for choosing chassis aggregation over stacking switches.

A. To increase the number of devices in use: Both chassis aggregation and stacking switches allow you to increase the number of devices in use by combining multiple switches into a single logical entity.

C. To avoid the use of a centralized configuration manager: Neither chassis aggregation nor stacking switches require the use of a centralized configuration manager. In fact, many network administrators prefer to use centralized management tools, such as Cisco DNA Center, to simplify network configuration and monitoring.

E. To avoid relying solely on Ethernet interfaces: Both chassis aggregation and stacking switches support a variety of interface types, including Ethernet, fiber, and copper, so there is no reason to choose one technology over the other based on interface compatibility.