• If an interface-specific configuration exists for that member number, the stack member uses the interface-specific configuration associated with that member number. If you replace a failed member with an identical model, the replacement member automatically uses the same interface-specific configuration as the failed switch. You do not need to reconfigure the interface settings. The replacement switch (referred to as the provisioned switch) must have the same stack member number as the failed switch. You back up and restore the stack configuration in the same way as you would for a standalone switch configuration.
Offline Configuration to Provision a Stack Member You can use the offline configuration feature to provision (to supply a configuration to) a new switch before it joins the switch stack. You can configure the stack member number, the switch type, and the interfaces associated with a switch that is not currently part of the stack. The configuration that you create on the switch stack is called the provisioned configuration . The switch that is added to the switch stack and that receives this configuration is called the provisioned switch . You manually create the provisioned configuration through the switch stack-member-number provision type global configuration command.
You must change the stack-member-number on the provisioned switch before you add it to the stack, and it must match the stack member number that you created for the new switch on the switch stack. The switch type in the provisioned configuration must match the switch type of the newly added switch. The provisioned configuration is automatically created when a switch is added to a switch stack and when no provisioned configuration exists. When you configure the interfaces associated with a provisioned switch, the switch stack accepts the configuration, and the information appears in the running configuration.
However, as the switch is not active, any configuration on the interface is not operational and the interface associated with the provisioned switch does not appear in the display of the specific feature. For example, VLAN configuration information associated with a provisioned switch does not appear in the show vlan user EXEC command output on the switch stack. The switch stack retains the provisioned configuration in the running configuration whether or not the provisioned switch is part of the stack. You can save the provisioned configuration to the startup configuration file by entering the copy running-config startup-config privileged EXEC command.
The startup configuration file ensures that the switch stack can reload and can use the saved information whether or not the provisioned switch is part of the switch stack. Upgrading a Switch Running Incompatible Software The auto-upgrade and auto-advise features enable a switch with software packages that are incompatible with the switch stack to be upgraded to a compatible software version so that it can join the switch stack. Switch Stack Management Connectivity You manage the switch stack and the stack member interfaces through the active switch. You can use the CLI, SNMP, and any of the supported network management applications.
You cannot manage stack members on an individual Device basis. Managing Switch Stacks Offline Configuration to Provision a Stack Member Managing Switch Stacks 7