How do I install a switch stack on my managed switch?

Note: Many models of switches have a Hardware Installation Guide that includes additional information about rack mounting and switch stack cabling.

Install the switches in a rack.
Install all stacking cables, including the redundant stack link. It is highly recommended that a redundant link be installed.
Identify the switch to be the master. Power up this switch first.
Monitor the console port. Allow this switch to come up to the login prompt. If the switch has the default configuration, it should come up as unit #1, and automatically become a master switch. If not, renumber the units.
If you want to configure switches offline, preconfigure the other switches to be added to the stack. For more information see the How do I preconfigure a switch on my managed switch?
Power on a second switch, making sure it is adjacent (the next physical switch in the stack) to the switch already powered up. This ensures that the second switch comes up as a member of the stack, and not a master of a separate stack.
Monitor the master switch to see that the second switch joins the stack. Use the show switch command to determine when the switch joins the stack. It will be assigned a unit number (unit #2, if it has the default configuration).
Renumber this stack member, if you want.

For more information, see the following support articles:
- How do I renumber stack members using CLI commands on my managed switch?
- How do I renumber stack members using the web interface on my managed switch?

Repeat steps 6 through 8 to add members to the stack. Always power on a switch adjacent to the switches already in the stack.

This article applies to the following managed switches and their respective firmware:

Last Updated:07/07/2025 | Article ID: 21890

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