Carrier Access Catalyst 3750 Series - Manual (Page 2)

Cisco Systems, Inc.
All contents are Copyright © 1992–2003 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Important Notices and Privacy Statement.
Page 2 of 18
Cisco StackWise Technology—A New Standard in Stackable Resiliency
Cisco StackWise technology is a premium stacking architecture optimized for Gigabit Ethernet. This technology is
designed to respond to additions, deletions, and redeployment while maintaining constant performance.
Cisco StackWise technology unites up to nine individual Cisco Catalyst 3750 switches into a single logical unit, using
special stack interconnect cables and stacking software. The stack behaves as a single switching unit that is managed
by a master switch elected from one of the member switches. The master switch automatically creates and updates
all the switching and optional routing tables. A working stack can accept new members or delete old ones without
service interruption.
Key Features and Benefits
Ease of Use—“Plug-and-Play” Configuration
A working stack is self-managing and self-configuring. When switches are added or removed, the master switch
automatically updates all the routing tables to reflect changes. Upgrades are applied universally and simultaneously
to all members of the stack.
Scalability—Fast Ethernet to Gigabit Ethernet
The Cisco Catalyst 3750 Series stacks up to 9 switches as a single logical unit for a total of 468 Ethernet 10/100 ports
or 252 Ethernet 10/100/1000 ports. Individual 10/100 and 10/100/1000 units may be joined in any combination to
evolve with network needs.
Mix-and-Match Switch Types—Pay as You Expand Your Network
Stacks can be created with any combination of Cisco Catalyst 3750 switches. Customers who need a mixture of
10/100, 10/100/1000 ports and wiring closet aggregation capability can incrementally develop the access
environment, paying only for what they need.
Availability—Non-Stop Performance at Layer 2 and Layer 3
The Cisco Catalyst 3750 Series increases availability for stackable switches. Each switch can operate both as master
controller and forwarding processor. Each switch in the stack can serve as a master, creating an 1:N availability
scheme for network control. In the unlikely event of a single unit failure, all other units continue to forward traffic
and maintain operation.
Smart Multicast—A New Level of Efficiency for Converged Networks
With Cisco StackWise technology, the Cisco Catalyst 3750 Series offers greater efficiency for multicast applications
such as video. Each data packet is put on to the backplane only once, which provides more effective support for more
data streams.
Superior Quality of Service—Across the Stack and at Wire Speed
The Cisco Catalyst 3750 Series offers Gigabit Ethernet speed with intelligent services that keep everything flowing
smoothly—even at ten times normal network speed. Industry-leading mechanisms for marking, classification, and
scheduling deliver best-in-class performance for data, voice, and video traffic—all at wire speed.