Overview

Key Features

Supported Switches

Supported Module

The GigaStack GBIC with Support Devices

LEDs

Cabling Guidelines

Deployment Examples

Example 1: Cascade Stack Connection

Example 2: Point-to-Point Connection

Overview

The GigaStack Gigabit Interface Converter (GBIC) adds port density and high-performance connectivity 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 residing in a modular 2900 XL switch. When installed in a 3500 XL switch or a 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.

Key Features

This section describes the GigaStack GBIC in detail. The following list describes the key features.

Half-duplex stacking using only one GBIC slot for each switch

: 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. For this kind of connectivity, see "Example 1."

Full-duplex connectivity between two switches

: 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 configuration) or up to eight half-duplex links (in a stack configuration) to other gigabit Ethernet devices. For this kind of connectivity, see "Example 2."

Management through the Cisco IOS command-line interface (CLI) or the web-based Visual Switch Manager (VSM)
Field-replaceability
Support for IOS Release 12.0(5)XU or later
- Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) integration
Supports Virtual Terminal Protocol (VTP) and Media Access Control (MAC) address-based static VLANs. See the Cisco IOS Desktop Switching Command Reference (online only) and the Cisco IOS Desktop Switching Software Configuration Guide for VLAN configuration information.
- Per-VLAN Spanning Tree Plus (PVST+)
An independent spanning tree instance runs on each VLAN. See the Cisco IOS Desktop Switching Command Reference and the Cisco IOS Desktop Switching Software Configuration Guide for spanning tree configuration information.
- Trunking (IEEE 802.1Q and ISL)
The GigaStack GBIC supports setting a trunk to IEEE 802.1Q or Inter-Switch Link (ISL) mode. Enter the switchport mode trunk command to configure trunk ports and to add VLANs to the allowed VLAN list for existing trunks. See the switchport mode trunk command description in the Cisco IOS Desktop Switching Command Reference.

S upported Switches

Table 1-1 lists the Catalyst 3500 series switches supporting the GigaStack GBIC.

Caution Installing this product in or connecting this product to an unauthorized device might cause damage to the device.

Note To use the GigaStack GBIC with a 3500 XL switch or 2900 XL modular switch, ensure that the switch is running IOS Release 12.0(5)XU or later. For software upgrade procedures, refer to the Cisco IOS Desktop Switching Software Configuration Guide.

Table 1-1: Catalyst 3500 series switches supporting the GigaStack GBIC

Model Number Description Switch

Catalyst 3508G XL

8 autosensing 10/100 Ethernet ports

Catalyst 3512 XL

12-port 10/100 switch with 2 GigaStack GBIC ports

Catalyst 3524 XL

24-port 10/100 switch with 2 GigaStack GBIC ports

Catalyst 3548-XL

48 autosensing 10/100 Ethernet ports with 2 GBIC-based Gigabit module slots

A GigaStack GBIC can be installed into a 1000BaseX module to provide gigabit connectivity to Catalyst 2900 series switches (see also "Supported Module").

Table 1-2 lists the Catalyst 2900 series switches supporting the GigaStack GBIC.

Table 1-2: Supported Catalyst 2900 Series Switches

Model Number Description Switch

Catalyst 2912MF XL

12 100BaseFX ports
2 high-speed expansion slots

Catalyst 2924M XL

24 fixed autosensing 10/100 ports
2 high-speed expansion slots

Supported Module

Table 1-3 lists the modules supporting the GigaStack GBIC.

Table 1-3: Supported Module

Part Number Description Module

WS-X2931-XL

1 1000BaseX port

The GigaStack GBIC with Support Devices

You can install a GigaStack GBIC in the 1000BaseX port on compatible switches and in the 1000BaseX module. Figure 1-1 shows a GigaStack GBIC, and the GigaStack GBIC part numbers are listed in Table 1-4.

Figure 1-1: GigaStack GBIC

Table 1-4: GigaStack GBIC Part Number

Part Number Description

WS-X3500-XL

GigaStack GBIC

Note GigaStack GBICs are sold separately from the module and the switches.

Figure 1-2 shows how a GigaStack GBIC fits through cutouts in the front of the switch.

Figure 1-2: GigaStack GBIC Slots on the Switch

The 1000BaseX module, shown in Figure 1-3, provides one switched 1000-Mbps port in half-duplex, full-duplex, or autonegotiation mode that uses a GigaStack GBIC connector . The port supports the IEEE 802.3z 1000BaseX standard.

Figure 1-3: GigaStack GBIC Slot on the 1000BaseX Module

You can install a GigaStack GBIC in the front of the module, as shown in Figure 1-4.

Figure 1-4: 1000BaseX Module with an installed GigaStack GBIC

LEDs

An LED above each GigaStack GBIC slot on a 2900 XL or 3500 XL switch or next to the GigaStack GBIC port on the 1000BaseX module reflects the port status, as described in Table 1-5.

Table 1-5: GigaStack GBIC Slot Port LEDs

Color Meaning

Off

No link.

Green

Link present.

Flashing green

Activity; port is transmitting or receiving data.

Alternating green-amber

The port is experiencing error frames that can affect connectivity. The port monitors errors such as excessive collisions, CRC errors, and alignment errors.

Amber

Port is not forwarding. Port was disabled by management or an address violation, or it was blocked by Spanning Tree Protocol.

An LED on each GigaStack GBIC reflects the port status, as described in Table 1-6.

Table 1-6: GigaStack GBIC Port LEDs

Color Meaning

Off

No link.

Green

Link present. This link occurs when you connect the Cisco proprietary cables into a GigaStack GBIC port.

Amber

Failed power-on self-test (POST) or an unauthorized cable is used.

Cabling Guidelines

This section describes the cabling guidelines you need to consider when planning your network.

The GigaStack GBIC uses the following Cisco proprietary cables. See Figure 1-5 and Table 1-7 for more information.

The maximum distance for a GBIC-to-GBIC connection is 1 meter. The GigaStack GBIC requires Cisco proprietary signaling and cabling. For more information on cabling, see "Connectors and Cables."

Figure 1-5: GigaStack GBIC Cables

Table 1-7: GigaStack GBIC Cable Part Numbers

Part Number Cable Length

CAB-GS-50CM

50 cm

CAB-GS-1M

1 m

Note The 50-cm cable comes with the GigaStack GBIC. You can order additional cables.

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.

Model Number	Description	Switch
Catalyst 3508G XL	8 autosensing 10/100 Ethernet ports
Catalyst 3512 XL	12-port 10/100 switch with 2 GigaStack GBIC ports
Catalyst 3524 XL	24-port 10/100 switch with 2 GigaStack GBIC ports
Catalyst 3548-XL	48 autosensing 10/100 Ethernet ports with 2 GBIC-based Gigabit module slots

Color	Meaning
Off	No link.
Green	Link present.
Flashing green	Activity; port is transmitting or receiving data.
Alternating green-amber	The port is experiencing error frames that can affect connectivity. The port monitors errors such as excessive collisions, CRC errors, and alignment errors.
Amber	Port is not forwarding. Port was disabled by management or an address violation, or it was blocked by Spanning Tree Protocol.

Table of Contents

Overview