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June 11, 1999
These release notes describe the features and caveats for the GigaStack Gigabit Interface Converter (GBIC). These release notes also contain important information about the device.
These release notes contain the following topics:
The GigaStack GBIC allows you to stack up to nine switches to form an independent backbone that can be managed with a single IP address. This stack gives the appearance of a single large switch for network management purposes. You can also form a point-to-point link between two switches. The GigaStack GBIC supports one full-duplex link (in a point-to-point link) or up to eight half-duplex links (in a stack configuration) to other Gigabit Ethernet devices.
The GigaStack GBIC can add port density to a Catalyst 3500 XL or Catalyst 2900 XL network. You can install the GigaStack GBIC in a 3500 XL switch or into a 1000BaseX module that resides in a modular Catalyst 2900 XL switch. When installed in a 3500 XL switch or a Catalyst 2900 XL module, the GigaStack GBIC supports 1000BaseX connections. The GigaStack GBIC autonegotiates the duplex settings of each port to maximize the bandwidth for your configuration.
The maximum distance for a GigaStack GBIC-to-GigaStack GBIC connection is 1 meter. The GigaStack GBIC requires Cisco proprietary cabling.
The following features are supported on the GigaStack GBIC:
| Caution Do not use standard IEEE 1394 cables with the GigaStack GBIC. You must use one of the Cisco proprietary cables (CAB-GS-50CM or CAB-GS-1M). If you use any other cable, you will not have connectivity. |
| Caution Do not use the GigaStack GBIC with standard IEEE 1394 equipment. You might damage the equipment or lose data. |
Do not create a loop in a stack configuration within a single GBIC. A loop occurs when one of the following conditions occurs:
A loop causes excessive collision errors on the port and might cause the link to become unstable. This instability decreases performance on the links, and communication between the switches in the stack is adversely affected. For proper configuration scenarios, see the Catalyst GigaStack Gigabit Interface Converter Installation Guide.
The maximum number of GigaStack GBICs allowed in a daisy-chain configuration is nine.
To use the GigaStack GBIC with a 3500 XL switch or 2900 XL modular switch, ensure that the switch is running IOS version 11.2(8.1)SA6 or later. For software upgrade procedures, see the Release Notes for Cisco IOS Release 11.2(8.1)SA6.
With IOS Release 11.2(8.1), you might experience a problem with traffic flow in one direction when you insert a cable. To determine if this problem exists, use the ping command on a station that is located on one end of the stack to verify connectivity to a station on the other end of the stack.
If this problem exists, you can work around it by doing one of the following:
Step 1 Enter the enable command to access privileged EXEC mode:
Switch> enable
Step 2 Enter global configuration mode by entering the configure t command:
Switch# config t
Step 3 Enter the interface command for the port that is not receiving traffic:
Switch(config)# interface Gix/x
where x is the port number that is not receiving traffic.
Step 4 Enter the duplex half command to set the duplex mode to half duplex:
Switch(config-if)# duplex half
Step 5 Wait for a few seconds. The link will come down and go back up.
Step 6 Enter the duplex auto command to set the duplex mode for autonegotiation:
Switch(config-if)# duplex auto
Step 7 Exit the configuration mode by using the end command:
Switch(config-if)# end
The Catalyst GigaStack Gigabit Interface Converter Installation Guide states that the GigaStack GBIC LED turns amber if you use a cable other than GigaStack cables. This function has changed. The LED remains dark if you use a cable other than the GigaStack cables.
For a list of Catalyst 3500 and Catalyst 2900 software caveats, refer to the Release Notes for Cisco IOS Release 11.2(8.1)SA6.
The product documentation for the GigaStack GBIC, 3500 XL switches, and the 2900 XL switches is as follows:
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Posted: Fri Apr 7 16:21:03 PDT 2000
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