Hello,
Connect DAC cables you are trying to use into one switch while it running and check "show interface" output that listing reports right speed for dac and then "show interface transceiver" command to see additional data (in fact usually it does not matter if last command reports "unsupported..." because those seems to work mostly just fine too...) Usually if dac is faulty/wrong speed you may see orange light blinking in port leds...
Stacking... You can mix'n'match 6200M and 6200F (but not 6200L!)
Now when you run into issues try to do like this:
- Double-check you run same firmware in both/all switches(!!)
- Reset member 2 to factory settings (boot->select service os (number 0)->"erase zeroize"... Wait until resetted and switch it off)
- If you can, clear config too from member 1 and after boot alter vsf config as follows (config is for two 48 port models.. If you cannot reset memeber 1 then just edit configuration. I dont remember can you alter member numbers like this?!?):
vsf member 1
type <j-code of member 1>
link 1 1/1/49
link 2 1/1/50
vsf member 2
type <j-code of member 2>
link 1 2/1/49
link 2 2/1/50
(Change model codes and port numbers to match your devices... Use first two sfp's in switch to create vsf links so that member 1 lower numbered port is connected to member 2 higher number port.. If you have more switches in stack logic is same for rest of switches)
Make dac connections betweeb switches and fire up secondary member, go to pickup coffee and do toilet break (meaning: wait until secondary member boot itself second time... It may take 5-10 minutes)
Test to press led-status button from switch... are both switches status change by pressing on switch led-button?
After vsf is okay, one more thing: command "vsf secondary-member 2" makes member 2 to boot and join as standby member of stack.
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Jori Luoto
AV-IT Specialist
Audico Systems oy
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Original Message:
Sent: Mar 03, 2026 08:21 AM
From: Matt Dillion
Subject: VSF Stacking - Need help
You are correct, and we are using supported stack cables purchased from HPE. However, HPE likely procures their stack cables from multiple manufacturing sources and I'm wondering if one of them has an issue.
--
Sincerely,
Matt Dillion
Assistant Director of Infrastructure Services
Christopher Newport University
1 Avenue for the Arts
Newport News, VA 23606
O: (757) 594-8628
C: (757) 897-8802
E:
matthew.dillion@cnu.edu
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This e-mail message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Please do not forward or include additional people when replying. If you believe that someone not included as a recipient needs to be aware of the information, please send the name of that person to the sender. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original message.
Original Message:
Sent: 3/2/2026 5:05:00 PM
From: ariyap
Subject: RE: VSF Stacking - Need help
your VSF stacking process is correct but I am pretty sure that you need to use only supported DAC cables.
you can refer to AOS-S and AOS-CX Transceiver Guide Edition 23 the list of supported DACs
------------------------------
If my post was useful accept solution and/or give kudos.
Any opinions expressed here are solely my own and not necessarily that of HPE or Aruba.
Original Message:
Sent: Mar 02, 2026 03:25 PM
From: Shieva
Subject: VSF Stacking - Need help
Unless something changed, you cannot mix models with to create a stack:
https://arubanetworking.hpe.com/techdocs/AOS-CX/10.15/PDF/vsf.pdf
- All switches in the VSF stack are set to the factory default configuration.
- All switches in the VSF stack are running 10.07 or later firmware versions.
- All switches in the VSF stack are of the same switch series. Stacks cannot be created with a mixed set of switches. The stacks must be made up of either only 6200 or only 6300 switches.
------------------------------
Shieva
Original Message:
Sent: Mar 02, 2026 01:37 PM
From: Matt Dillion
Subject: VSF Stacking - Need help
I'm running 6200M and 6200F on version 10.16.1010. I've been able to successfully get them stacked, however, I'm thinking that one of my stacking cables may be faulty. This is going to sound strange but it seems like one stacking cable works initially whereas the other doesn't work until the switches are already stacked.
In our order we have multiple 10Gbps DAC cables but some are from one manufacturer and others are from a different one, we can tell because the manufacturer's part numbers differ. To clarify one thing though, they both have the same HPE part number.
I'll have to do some more testing and follow up!
--
Sincerely,
Matt Dillion
Assistant Director of Infrastructure Services
Christopher Newport University
1 Avenue for the Arts
Newport News, VA 23606
O: (757) 594-8628
C: (757) 897-8802
E:
matthew.dillion@cnu.edu
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This e-mail message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Please do not forward or include additional people when replying. If you believe that someone not included as a recipient needs to be aware of the information, please send the name of that person to the sender. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original message.
Original Message:
Sent: 2/28/2026 3:05:00 AM
From: ariyap
Subject: RE: VSF Stacking - Need help
thats strange. what switch model and firmware are you running?
------------------------------
If my post was useful accept solution and/or give kudos.
Any opinions expressed here are solely my own and not necessarily that of HPE or Aruba.
Original Message:
Sent: Feb 26, 2026 01:28 PM
From: Matt Dillion
Subject: VSF Stacking - Need help
Good afternoon, community
I am looking for some help here, I'm trying to stack two Aruba-CX switches together that already have configurations on them. I am following the documentation but every time the switch that I am renumbering from 1 to 2 doesn't fully boot up and join the stack, then I have to erase zeroize it and start again. Please, if you have any thoughts do share!
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[Matt]
[Director of Infrastructure Services]
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