Network Switch Stacking: FAQ and Troubleshooting Guide

Zyxel_Harry

Welcome to this guide. This article aims to consolidate the most frequently encountered technical issues and solutions when setting up and maintaining Network Switch Stacking.Before you begin troubleshooting, please ensure your equipment meets the following basic requirements:

• All switch models support stacking functionality, and the firmware versions are consistent.
• You have referred to the Configuring switch stacking on Nebula to complete the basic hardware connections

If you have confirmed the above items but are still experiencing difficulties, please refer to the common questions below.

Frequently Asked Questions & Troubleshooting

Q1: Why did my switch's IP address change to 192.168.0.1 after stacking was completed, instead of retaining the original IP?

Ans: This is an expected behavior. During the stacking setup process, the switches will clear their individual existing configurations(including theOut-of-band Management IP)to ensure configuration consistency across the entire stack unit. The device then reverts to itsfactory default IP(e.g., 192.168.0.1).Action required: Please log in using the default IP and reconfigure the required static management IP address for your network environment.

Q2: After completing the stacking process and rebooting, why is the second unit designated as the Master switch?

Ans: TheMasterunit is determined automatically via an election process based primarily on the System Priority value.

• Election Logic: The switch with the highest priority value will be elected as the Master.
• How to Specify: If you wish to force a specific unit to always be the Master, you can use the "Force Master Mode" setting or manually assign a higher Priority value to that specific switch.
• Location: For detailed settings, please navigate to the Local Web GUI → SYSTEM → Stacking page.

Q3: Why can't I connect via the MGMT port after stacking is completed?

Ans: According to the current design, once stacking is complete, the entire stack operates as a single logical entity (managed by a single IP address).Only the Master switch's dedicated MGMT port can be used to connect to the Out-of-band Management IP. The MGMT ports on the non-Master units will be disabled/inactive (they may show a link light/link up status, but connectivity is blocked).