ICX 7250 stacking configuration notes

All ICX 7250 platforms except the ICX 7250-24G support stacking on 10-Gbps links. The ICX 7250 requires a POD license for ports to operate at 10 Gbps. Otherwise, the ports support only 1 Gbps. These 1-Gbps ports do not support stacking.

If a port is configured to operate at 1 Gbps in the startup configuration, it would continue to operate at 1 Gbps after a license is installed, unless it is re-configured to operate at 10 Gbps. Refer to Reconfiguring ICX 7250 1-Gbps ports as 10-Gbps ports. However, if no user configuration is present for the ports, they will automatically be configured as 10-Gbps ports when a license is installed.

If an ICX 7250 stack is formed on licensed ports and the license is later removed, the stack breaks afer reload because the stack ports return to 1-Gbps mode. To form the stack again, the license must be downloaded to each device.

Of the eight 10-Gbps SFP+ ports potentially available on the ICX 7250 as stacking or uplink ports, a maximum of four ports can be used simultaneously for stacking. These ports can operate as separate ports, or they can be configured as two-port trunks. Refer to ICX 7250 trunk configuration for more information. All eight ports are available as uplink data ports when not used for stacking.

When stacking is configured, all stack ports and trunks must be either in the port range of 1/2/1 through 1/2/4 or in the port range 1/2/5 through 1/2/8. Ports 1/2/1 through 1/2/8 support both active cables and 10-Gbps SFP+ optics. Ports 1/2/5 through 1/2/8 have re-timers that support active cables. Any of these ports can be used for long-distance stacking if appropriate SFP's and cables are used. When any units in the stack are cross-cabled to a unit with stacking on ports 1/2/1 through 1/2/4, active cables should be used throughout the stack.