Secure stacking setup

Abstract

A method of configuring a stack includes: connecting stacking ports of a plurality of stackable devices using one or more stacking links; connecting a user console to a first one of the stackable devices; transmitting a stack setup command from the user console to the first stackable device; and establishing a stack in response to the stack setup command. The stack is established by initiating a discovery process with the first stackable device in response to the stack setup command, wherein the first stackable device requests and receives identifying information from the stackable devices over the stacking links during the discovery process. The topology of the stackable devices is displayed with the user console in response to the identifying information. The stackable devices are authenticated during the discovery process such that the stack setup is secure. The first stackable device becomes the active controller of the stack by default.

1 . A stackable switching device, comprising:
 a plurality of ports;   an input port configured to receive input from a user console device; and   a processor configured to receive a stack setup command from the user console device via the input port and, in response to receiving the stack setup command, to initiate discovery of other stackable switching devices;   wherein the processor is further configured to cause topology information to be displayed on the user console device and to receive an acknowledgement command from a user of the user console device indicative as to whether the user accepts or rejects at least a portion of the topology information.   
     
     
         2 . The stackable switching device of  claim 1  wherein, if a user accepts the topology via the user console device, the processor assigns stack identifier (ID) values to each of the stackable switching devices that form a stack. 
     
     
         3 . The stackable switching device of  claim 1  wherein the topology information caused to be displayed includes an indication of each stackable switching device in a stack and the stack identifier (ID) value assigned by the processor to each such stackable switching device. 
     
     
         4 . The stackable switching device of  claim 1  wherein the topology information includes stack identifier (ID) values and wherein the processor prompts the user of the user console device to accept or reject the ID values. 
     
     
         5 . The stackable switching device of  claim 4  wherein, if the user rejects the ID values, the processor is configured to receive a replacement stack ID value for at least one stack ID value included in the topology information. 
     
     
         6 . The stackable switching device of  claim 1  wherein the processor receives a write memory command from the user console device and, in response, the processor initiates a configuration synchronization in which copies of a configuration database are copied to the other stackable switching devices. 
     
     
         7 . The stackable switching device of  claim 6  further including a display, and wherein the processor is configured to cause a stack identifier (ID) value to be displayed on the display. 
     
     
         8 . The stackable switching device of  claim 1  wherein upon receiving the stack setup command, the processor assigns a priority value to the stackable switching device, and the processor receives priority values for other stackable switching devices, compares the other switching devices' priority values to the stackable switching device's own assigned priority value and, if another stackable switching device has a priority value that conflicts with the stackable switching device's own assigned priority value, the stackable switching device issues a command to change the conflicting priority value of such other stackable switching device. 
     
     
         9 . A stackable switching device, comprising:
 a plurality of ports;   an input port configured to receive input from a user console device; and   a processor configured to receive a stack setup command from the user console device via the input port and, in response to receiving the stack setup command, to initiate discovery of other stackable switching devices to generate topology information;   wherein upon receiving the stack setup command, the processor assigns a priority value to the stackable switching device, and the processor receives priority values for other stackable switching devices, compares the other switching devices' priority values to the stackable switching device's own assigned priority value and, if another stackable switching device has a priority value that conflicts with the stackable switching device's own assigned priority value, the stackable switching device issues a command to change the conflicting priority value of such other stackable switching device   
     
     
         10 . The stackable switching device of  claim 9 , wherein the processor is further configured to cause the topology information to be displayed on the user console device and to receive an acknowledgement command from a user of the user console device indicative as to whether the user accepts or rejects at least a portion of the topology information. 
     
     
         11 . The stackable switching device of  claim 10  wherein, if a user accepts the topology via the user console device, the processor assigns stack identifier (ID) values to each of the stackable switching devices that form a stack. 
     
     
         12 . The stackable switching device of  claim 9  wherein the topology information includes an indication of each stackable switching device in a stack and the stack identifier (ID) value assigned by the processor to each such stackable switching device. 
     
     
         13 . The stackable switching device of  claim 9  wherein the topology information includes stack identifier (ID) values and wherein the processor prompts the user of the user console device to accept or reject the ID values. 
     
     
         14 . The stackable switching device of  claim 13  wherein, if the user rejects the ID values, the processor is configured to receive a replacement stack ID value for at least one stack ID value included in the topology information. 
     
     
         15 . The stackable switching device of  claim 9  wherein the processor receives a write memory command from the user console device and, in response, the processor initiates a configuration synchronization in which copies of a configuration database are copied to the other stackable switching devices. 
     
     
         16 . The stackable switching device of  claim 15  further including a display, and wherein the processor is configured to cause a stack identifier (ID) value to be displayed on the display. 
     
     
         17 . A method implemented on a stackable switching device, comprising:
 receiving a stack setup command;   in response to receiving the stack setup command, initiating discovery of other stackable switching devices to generate topology information;   displaying the topology information; and   receiving an acknowledgement command indicative as to whether a user accepts or rejects at least a portion of the topology information.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the topology information includes an indication of each stackable switching device in a stack and the stack identifier (ID) value assigned to each such stackable switching device. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17  further receiving a write command and, in response, initiating a configuration synchronization by causing a configuration database to be copied to the other stackable switching devices. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising:
 upon receiving the stack setup command, assigning a priority value to the stackable switching device; 
 receiving priority values for other stackable switching devices; 
 comparing the other switching devices' priority values to the stackable switching device's own assigned priority value; and 
 if another stackable switching device has a priority value that conflicts with the stackable switching device's own assigned priority value, issuing a command to change the conflicting priority value of such other stackable switching device.