How to Choose Cisco Stack and Power Modules for Catalyst 9200/9200L Switches

This guide helps ICT integrators and enterprise IT administrators select the right Cisco stack and power modules for Catalyst 9200/9200L switches. It covers technical considerations, deployment best practices, and decision guidance, while also illustrating the advantages of Router-switch services.

Table of Contents

• Part 1: Overview of StackWise Technology
• Part 2: Selecting Stack Modules and Cables
• Part 3: Power Modules and PoE Considerations
• Part 4: Planning and Configuring the Stack
• Part 5: Monitoring and Maintaining the Stack
• FAQ

Part 1: Overview of StackWise Technology

Cisco StackWise technology allows multiple Catalyst 9200/9200L switches to operate as a single logical unit. Key benefits include centralized management, high availability, and simplified scalability. StackWise comes in two versions:

• StackWise-160 for Catalyst 9200
• StackWise-80 for Catalyst 9200L

Part 2: Selecting Stack Modules and Cables

The Catalyst 9200 and 9200L switches each have two stack ports. To enable stacking, StackWise adapters are required and must be ordered separately.

When selecting cable length, consider rack placement (0.5m for vertical, 1-3m for side-by-side). Always use Cisco-approved cables to ensure performance.

Part 3: Power Modules and PoE Considerations

Proper power planning is essential, especially for PoE deployments. Cisco offers modules such as PAC60S12-AR-N for flexible power allocation. Consider the total PoE budget, redundancy, and environmental requirements when selecting power modules.

• Verify total PoE requirements per stack.
• Check compatibility with switch model and license.
• Use industrial or extended temperature modules in harsh conditions.

Part 4: Planning and Configuring the Stack

Before stacking, ensure all switches are the same model and run compatible software/licenses. A ring topology is recommended for fault tolerance.

Stack Configuration Steps

1. Assign switch priorities (1-15) to determine the master switch.
2. Renumber switches to match physical location using CLI.
3. Verify connectivity and redundancy after powering on.

Switch(config)# switch 1 priority 15
Switch(config)# switch 2 priority 14
Switch(config)# switch 3 priority 13
Switch(config)# switch 4 priority 12

Part 5: Monitoring and Maintaining the Stack

Regular monitoring ensures stack stability and performance.

show switch

: Displays stack member roles and status.

show switch stack-ports summary

: Checks stack port connectivity.

Document switch roles, stack layout, and cabling. Test redundancy by simulating master switch failure and verify standby activation.

FAQ

What are the differences between C9200 and C9200L stack capabilities?

C9200 supports StackWise-160 with higher throughput per stack, while C9200L uses StackWise-80 with lower bandwidth. Both support 4-ring topology.

Which stack modules should I choose?

Use C9200-STACK-KIT=-N for C9200 and C9200L-STACK-KIT=-N for C9200L switches. Select cable lengths based on physical layout.

What power modules are recommended for PoE?

Modules like PAC60S12-AR-N provide flexible PoE budget allocation. Ensure compatibility with switch model and redundancy requirements.

Can I mix different Catalyst 9200 models in one stack?

No, stacking requires homogeneous models with compatible software and license versions.

How to monitor stack performance?

Use CLI commands such as

show switch

and

show switch stack-ports summary

and document configurations for easier troubleshooting.

 

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