FOXBORO A2H124-24FX Industrial Managed Switch

Technical Specifications

• Physical Parameters:
  • Dimensions: 44.1 cm (W) × 4.4 cm (H) × 21.0 cm (D) .
  • Weight: 2.7 kg (5.95 lb), designed for 19-inch rack-mount installation .
  • Environmental Ratings:
    • Operating Temperature: 0°C to 50°C (32°F to 122°F) with 5–95% non-condensing humidity .
    • Vibration Resistance: Compliant with IEC 60068-2-6 (2 g, 10–500 Hz) for industrial environments .
  • Certifications: FCC Class A, CE, UL 60950 (safety), and EMC standards (EN 55022, EN 55024) .
• Network Interfaces:
  • Ports:
    • 24 × 100BASE-FX: Fiber-optic ports with MT-RJ connectors for long-distance transmission (up to 2 km) .
    • 2 × SFP Uplink: Supports Gigabit fiber or copper modules for flexible expansion .
    • 2 × 10/100/1000BASE-T: RJ-45 ports for copper-based connections .
  • Console Port: 1 × DB9 serial port for out-of-band management .
  • Stacking: Supports up to 8 switches in a stack, achieving 102.4 Gbps aggregated bandwidth .
• Performance:
  • Switching Capacity: 12.8 Gbps (standalone) or 102.4 Gbps (stacked) .
  • Forwarding Rate: 9.5 Mpps (standalone) or 76.2 Mpps (stacked) .
  • MAC Address Table: 8,000 entries for efficient frame forwarding .
  • Power Supply: 100–240 V AC (50–60 Hz) with optional redundant power via RPS port .

Functional Features

1. Layer 2 Networking Capabilities:
   • VLAN Support: 4,096 VLAN IDs with 1,024 active VLANs per stack, enabling network segmentation for security and traffic optimization .
   • Quality of Service (QoS): 8 hardware-based priority queues per port to prioritize critical traffic (e.g., real-time control data) .
   • Jumbo Frames: Supports up to 9,216 bytes for large data transfers in storage or video applications .
2. Security & Management:
   • Access Control: IEEE 802.1X port-based authentication, MAC filtering, and ACLs (Access Control Lists) to prevent unauthorized access .
   • Management Interfaces: Web GUI, CLI (Telnet/SSH), SNMPv1/v2/v3, and RMON for remote configuration and monitoring .
   • Redundancy: Dual power inputs and link aggregation (LACP) for high-availability networks .
3. Reliability:

• Hot-Swap Components: Power supplies and SFP modules can be replaced without downtime .
• Watchdog Timer: Automatically resets the switch if software errors occur .

Application Scenarios

1. Industrial Automation:
   • Process Control:
     • Connects PLCs, HMIs, and sensors in manufacturing plants (e.g., automotive assembly lines) to enable real-time data exchange .
     • Example: In a chemical plant, the switch routes temperature/pressure sensor data to a DCS system while prioritizing control commands .
   • SCADA Systems:
     • Provides redundant fiber-optic links for oil/gas pipelines, ensuring uninterrupted monitoring of remote field devices .
2. Enterprise & Campus Networks:
   • Data Centers:
     • Aggregates server-to-storage traffic over fiber, supporting low-latency applications like virtualization .
   • Campus Backbones:
     • Links buildings in educational or corporate campuses using fiber-optic trunks .
3. Energy & Utilities:
   • Power Generation:
     • Connects distributed control systems (DCS) in thermal/nuclear power plants, ensuring deterministic communication between turbines and grid systems .
   • Renewable Energy:
     • Manages data from wind farm turbines, enabling predictive maintenance via real-time vibration and performance analytics .
4. Transportation:
   • Rail Systems:
     • Provides Ethernet connectivity for train control systems and passenger Wi-Fi, withstanding harsh environmental conditions .

Functional Architecture

• Hardware:
  • 32-Bit Processor: Handles packet switching and protocol processing with μs-level latency .
  • Conformal Coating: Protects against dust, moisture, and corrosive gases in industrial settings .
• Software:
  • Configuration Tools: Enterasys’ WebView GUI and CLI for advanced settings like VLAN trunking and QoS policies .
  • Diagnostics: Real-time port statistics, error logging, and SNMP traps for proactive troubleshooting .

Typical System Setup

• Stacked Architecture:
  • 8 × A2H124-24FX switches interconnected via stacking cables, creating a single logical unit with centralized management .
• Redundant Power:
  • Two RPS (Redundant Power System) modules provide backup power for the entire stack .
• Security Zones:
  • Segregated VLANs for OT (Operational Technology) and IT networks, with ACLs blocking unauthorized cross-traffic .

Safety & Compliance

• Cybersecurity: Role-based access control (RBAC) and HTTPS encryption prevent unauthorized configuration changes .
• Environmental Sustainability: RoHS-compliant design with lead-free components .
• Failover Mechanisms:
  • Link Aggregation: Bonds multiple physical ports into a single logical link, eliminating single points of failure .
  • STP/RSTP: Prevents network loops while ensuring rapid recovery (≤50 ms) after link failures .