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• Virtual Chassis Cabling Configuration Examples  

• Related Topics
• Understanding Virtual Chassis Hardware Configuration
• Understanding Virtual Chassis Components
• Planning the Virtual Chassis
• Virtual Chassis Ports Connector Pinout Information
• Example: Configuring a Virtual Chassis Interconnected Across Multiple Wiring Closets

Virtual Chassis Cabling Configuration Examples

You can install EX 4200 switches in a single rack or multiple racks, or in different wiring closets, and interconnect them to form a virtual chassis. There are two dedicated virtual chassis ports (VCPs) on the rear panel of the EX 4200 switch that are used exclusively to interconnect EX 4200 switches as a virtual chassis. The physical location of the switches in a virtual chassis is restricted only by the maximum length supported for cables to connect the VCPs. The maximum cable length for interconnecting the dedicated VCPs is 3 meters. If you want to interconnect EX 4200 switches that are located beyond the reach of the dedicated VCP cables, you can install the XFP uplink module and set the uplink ports as VCP interfaces. See Setting an Uplink Port as a Virtual Chassis Port (CLI Procedure).

Note: The interfaces for the two dedicated VCPs are operational by default. However, if you are using the uplink module ports as VCPs, you must explicitly set the uplink ports to function as VCPs.

The following illustrations describe various cabling configuration examples.

Note: For increased availability and redundancy, we recommend that you always configure your virtual chassis in a ring topology.

Figure 1 and Figure 2 show five EX 4200 switches stacked vertically in a rack and interconnected in a ring topology using four short virtual chassis cables and one long virtual chassis cable.

Figure 1: EX 4200 Switches Virtual Chassis—Mounted on a Single Rack and Connected in a Ring Topology—Short and Long Cables, Option 1

Figure 2: EX 4200 Switches Virtual Chassis—Mounted on a Single Rack and Connected in a Ring Topology—Short and Long Cables, Option 2

Figure 3 shows five EX 4200 switches stacked vertically in a rack and interconnected in a ring topology using short-length and medium-length virtual chassis cables.

Figure 3: EX 4200 Switches Virtual Chassis—Mounted on a Single Rack and Connected in a Ring Topology—Short and Medium Cables

Figure 4 and Figure 5 show five EX 4200 switches mounted on the top rows of adjacent racks and interconnected in a ring topology using medium-length and long-length virtual chassis cables.

Figure 4: EX 4200 Switches Virtual Chassis—Mounted on Adjacent Racks and Connected in a Ring Topology—Medium and Long Cables, Option 1

Figure 5: EX 4200 Switches Virtual Chassis—Mounted on Adjacent Racks and Connected in a Ring Topology—Medium and Long Cables, Option 2