A Virtual Chassis is multiple switches operating as a single network entity. You might want to expand your existing Virtual Chassis by adding one or two EX4500 switches to your Virtual Chassis configuration. Up to two EX4500 switches can be part of a mixed EX4200 and EX4500 Virtual Chassis.
This example describes how to add two EX4500 switches to an existing EX4200 Virtual Chassis that was preprovisioned. A preprovisioned configuration is a Virtual Chassis configuration in which the roles were statically assigned to each member switch:
This example uses the following hardware and software components:
Before you begin, be sure you have:
You can create an EX4200 Virtual Chassis by cabling two operational EX4200 switches together using the dedicated Virtual Chassis port (VCP) on each EX4200 switch. When you preprovision a Virtual Chassis, you configure the roles for each member switch.
In a mixed EX4200 and EX4500 Virtual Chassis, the EX4500 switches must assume and remain in the master and backup roles. The steps in this procedure ensure that the EX4500 switches are set and remain in the master or backup roles.
Table 1 shows the configuration of the two-member EX4200 Virtual Chassis before the EX4500 member switches are added.
Table 1: Components of the EX4200 Virtual Chassis Before the EX4500 Member Switches Are Added
| Member Switch | Hardware | Member ID | Role and Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
SWA-0 | EX4200 switch | 0 | Master |
SWA-1 | EX4200 switch | 1 | Backup |
Table 2 shows the configuration of the mixed EX4200 and EX4500 Virtual Chassis after the EX4500 member switches are added to the Virtual Chassis.
Table 2: Final Mixed EX4200 and EX4500 Virtual Chassis Components
| Member Switch | Hardware | Member ID | Role and Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
SWA-0 | EX4200 switch | 0 | Linecard |
SWA-1 | EX4200 switch | 1 | Linecard |
SWA-2 | EX4500 switch | 2 | Master |
SWA-3 | EX4500 switch | 3 | Backup |
Figure 1 shows the hardware topology of the mixed EX4200 and EX4500 Virtual Chassis.
Figure 1: Mixed EX4200 and EX4500 Virtual Chassis Topology (Preprovisioned Configuration)

To add two EX4500 switches to an existing EX4200 Virtual Chassis that was preprovisioned:
user@switch> request virtual-chassis
mode mixed all-membersuser@switch> request system rebootuser@switch> request chassis pic-mode
virtual-chassisuser@switch> request virtual-chassis
mode mixed[edit virtual-chassis]
user@SWA–0# set member 0 role line-card
user@SWA–0# set member 1 role line-card
[edit virtual-chassis]
user@SWA–0# set member 2 serial-number ghi789 role master
user@SWA–0# set member 3 serial-number jkl012
role backup
To confirm that the Virtual Chassis configuration is operational, perform these tasks:
Verify that the Virtual Chassis is up and that the member switches are in the correct roles.
List the member switches and roles.
user@SWA-2> show virtual-chassis status
Virtual Chassis ID: 0019.e250.47a0
Mastership Neighbor List
Member ID Status Serial No Model priority Role ID Interface
0 (FPC 0) Prsnt AK02073602764 ex4200-48p 0 Linecard 1 vcp-0
3 vcp-1
1 (FPC 1) Prsnt AK02073602814 ex4200-48p 0 Linecard 0 vcp-0
2 vcp-1
2 (FPC 2) Prsnt AK02073602844 ex4500-40f 129 Master* 1 vcp-0
3 vcp-1
3 (FPC 3) Prsnt AK02073602088 ex4500-40f 129 Backup 2 vcp-0
0 vcp-1
The show virtual-chassis status command lists the member switches interconnected in a Virtual Chassis configuration with the member IDs that have been assigned by the master, the mastership priority values, and the roles. It also displays the neighbor members with which each member is interconnected. The output shows that the switches have the correct mastership priorities and roles.