2-5
Catalyst 3650 Switch Hardware Installation Guide
OL-29734-01
Chapter 2 Switch Installation
Planning a Switch Data Stack
Switch Stacking Guidelines
For general concepts and management procedures for switch stacks, see the switch software
configuration guide on Cisco.com.
A StackWise adapter must be installed in the stacking port to enable stacking. The StackWise cable
connects to the StackWise adapter in the stacking port. For switches ordered with stacking, the
StackWise adapters are pre-installed. If the switch is not ordered with stacking, the adapters must be
ordered separately and installed.
Before connecting the switches in a stack, observe these stacking guidelines:
• Size of the switch and any optional power-supply module. The 1025-W power-supply module is
longer than the other modules. Stacking switches with the same power-supply modules together
makes it easier to cable the switches. For switch dimensions, see Appendix A, “Technical
Specifications.”
• Length of StackWise cable. Depending on the configurations that you have, you might need
different-sized StackWise cables. If you do not specify the length of the StackWise cable, the
0.5-meter cable is supplied. If you need the 1-meter cable or the 3-meter cable, you can order it from
your Cisco supplier. For cable part numbers, see the “StackWise Cables” section on page B-5. The
“Data Stack Cabling Configurations” section on page 2-5 provides examples of recommended
configurations.
• Minimum bend radius and coiled diameter for StackWise cables. Cisco recommends a minimum
bend radius and coiled diameter for each StackWise cable. For more information, see Table B-1 in
the “StackWise Cables Minimum Bend Radius and Coiled Diameter” section on page B-6.
• Data stacks can be created with up to nine switches in a stack.
Note You cannot have a switch stack containing a mix of Catalyst 3650 and Catalyst 3850 switches.
Data Stack Cabling Configurations
Figure 2-1 is an example of a recommended configuration that uses the supplied 0.5-meter StackWise
cable. In this example, the switches are stacked in a vertical rack or on a table. This configuration
provides redundant connections.
