Stack of 6 x 4300's working fine - now what if I add 2 more floors with 2 more stacks?

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boe wrote:

Can I have stack of 6 like I have now - then connect via 10g fiber ethernet to another stack of 6 just have them as a second stack - not part of the first stack?

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Yes, of course you can. Just like cascading or designing any smarter switch interconnect configurations. Just check you have not enbaled these ports for stacking.

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boe wrote:

I'm concerned about the cascade rules if that is still a thing. We have the equipment so I'd rather not have to replace.

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The limit of 7 hops in the IEEE standard was the result of extensive simulations done at DEC in the late 80s, using some fairly delay-sensitive protocols as a benchmark (e.g. LAT). That is the 802.1D standard recommends a maximum bridged LAN diameter of 7 hops, as stated. The issue is more with non-routed protocols (e.g., LAT, LAVc, NetBIOS, etc.) that are somewhat delay sensitive. Having a large number of bridge hops could cause application problems.

I'd be more concerned about the possible bandwith and reliability of two large and powerful stacks than on the legacy Ethernet number of hubs suggestions from the past.

Regards,

-Kurt.