Overview

Universal Hardware

The switch comes with a dual-persona capability, allowing you to choose your Operating System (OS). Either the Switch Engine (EXOS) or Fabric Engine (VOSS) OS can be selected at switch start-up or changed at a later time. The switch assumes the features and capabilities of the OS that is selected. Switch OS selection can also be automated with ExtremeCloud IQ so that the desired OS can be automatically loaded at switch start-up, which facilitates remote OS enablement.

Management

The switch supports connections using the RJ45 serial console port, the Ethernet management port, or the Micro-USB Type B port to view and manage the switch configuration. For more information on switch connection methods, see Manage Your Switch. For switch connection details, see Connect to a Management Console.

After connecting to your switch, it can be flexibly configured and operated though the cloud, the network, or the command-line interface (CLI), either remotely or locally. You can access management functions on the switch using ExtremeCloud™ IQ or ExtremeCloud IQ Site Engine, or manually through a web-based GUI or generic command-line interface (CLI) client. For more information on switch configuration and operation methods, see Manage Your Switch.

Note

There are also two USB 2.0 Type A ports labeled USB 1 and USB 2. USB 1 is located on the front panel, while USB 2 is located on the rear panel. The USB ports can interface with USB storage devices.

The first USB storage device inserted is mounted and can be used under the Switch Engine operating system as /usr/local/ext, or under the Fabric Engine operating system as /usb. A second inserted USB storage device is not used until the first one is removed.

Instant Onboarding

Switch onboarding to the cloud is a hands-off operation using zero touch provisioning. Unpack the switch and connect it to the network. It automatically finds a connection to the cloud and is ready to be provisioned. The ExtremeCloud Companion mobile app makes onboarding even easier with on-site cloud set-up and switch troubleshooting capabilities.

Cooling

Each switch is cooled by hot-swappable internal fan modules. Most 5520 Series models have fan modules that provide front-to back airflow. Models 5520-24T-BASE, 5520-24X-BASE, 5520-48T-BASE, and 5520-48SE-BASE require fan modules that provide back-to-front airflow. Models 5520-24T-ACDC, 5520-24X-ACDC, 5520-48T-ACDC, and 5520-48SE- ACDC support fan modules with either front-to-back airflow or back-to-front airflow. Switch fans are not responsible for cooling the power supplies; power supplies have integrated cooling fans that operate independently of the switch fan. Fan modules are ordered separately for models 5520-24T-BASE, 5520-24T-ACDC, 5520-24X- BASE, 5520-24X-ACDC, 5520-48T-BASE, 5520-48T-ACDC, 5520-48SE-BASE, and 5520-48SE-ACDC. Fan modules are included with other models.

For more information about the fan modules used in the switch, see Fan Modules for Use with Your Switch.

Power Supplies

Most 5520 Series models use up to two hot-swappable internal AC power supplies to provide enough power for the needs of the switch. Power supplies have integrated cooling fans that operate independently of the switch fans for power supply cooling and are not responsible for cooling the switch. Models 5520-24T-ACDC, 5520-24X-ACDC, 5520-48T-ACDC, and 5520-48SE-ACDC support AC and DC power supplies. Power supplies are ordered separately.

For more information about the power supplies used in the switch, see Power Supplies for Use with Your Switch.

Expansion Modules

The switch supports hardware accessories that expand the capabilities of the switch. Collectively, they are referred to as expansion modules. The following expansion modules are compatible with the switch:

Versatile Interface Modules (VIMs)

A VIM is a plug-in expansion card used to add specific types of network ports and features. A VIM can be installed in the switch to provide dedicated high speed ports and flexible uplink capabilities with a single VIM slot.

Virtual Port Extenders

A virtual port extender can be installed in the switch. Bridge port extenders (BPEs) receive packets from extended ports and forward packets toward the upstream controlling bridge (a Switch Engine-based switch) for L2/L3 processing. They do not fully process packets or make forwarding or filtering decisions.

For more information, see Expansion Modules for Use with Your Switch.

Stacking Ports

Each switch comes equipped with two stacking ports, also referred to as Universal Ethernet ports. When running Switch Engine, these ports can be used in either stacking mode or Ethernet mode. When in stacking mode, up to eight systems can be stacked using qualified direct attach cables or optical transceivers. Fabric Engine does not support stacking; the stacking ports can be used as Ethernet ports if Fabric Engine is in non-fabric mode.

Note

The 5520 Series can stack with themselves and with other switches. See Combine Switches from Different Series for more information.

• Stacking cables are ordered separately.
• For more information about stacking ports, see Universal Ethernet Ports.
• For information about optical modules, see the Extreme Optics website.
• For more information about stacking, see Build Stacks.

Instant Stack

Instant Stack simplifies cloud-based stack provisioning, enabling the entire switch stack to be set-up through a single push-button operation. Real-world stack information, including each switch model and their stack order, is captured and replicated in the cloud. Once set up, the entire stack is then ready to be cloud-provisioned

Note

This feature is only supported on Switch Engine.

Instant Port

Instant Port automates the adds, moves or changes across switch ports, which eliminates the need for manual port configuration. The switch automatically detects the connected device type and applies the correct port parameters. The result is significant time savings when adding or moving devices across the wired network. There is a simple cloud interface which allows Instant Port definitions of customer designated device types that can then be applied across a single switch, a stack, or even all switches in the network.

Note

This feature is only supported on Switch Engine.

Instant Secure Port

Instant Secure Port utilizes ExtremeCloud Universal ZTNA for authentication and zero-trust policy enforcement across switch ports, while providing the same add, move, and change automation features of Instant Port. It simplifies switch security by using Universal ZTNA's cloud-based security capabilities, including Radius authentication, unified visibility and reporting, as well as policy enforced locally on switch ports. Instant Secure Port delivers a consistent and frictionless security experience for any user or device connecting through the switch.

Note

• ExtremeCloud Universal ZTNA requires a separate license.
• This feature is only supported on Switch Engine.

Secure Boot

Secure boot establishes a chain-of-trust relationship in the boot process. The chain- of-trust is established by cryptographic checks at each stage of the boot process to validate the integrity and authenticity of the next stage before it can execute. The current implementation validates boot images. It cannot be disabled after it has been programmed on the device. There is no command-line interface or commands to enable or disable secure boot. The status of the boot image verification can be monitored in the operating system.

For more information, see Secure Boot.

Operating Temperatures

All 5520 Series switches using front-to-back airflow support an operating range from 0°C (32°F) to 50°C (122°F). All 5520 Series switches using back-to-front airflow support an operating range from 0°C (32°F) to 45°C (113°F).

Temperature restrictions apply for some models at high altitudes.

Feature Licensing

5520 Series switches support Unified Licensing, so that you can use them with multiple operating systems. There are two methods of acquiring feature licenses: manual or through ExtremeCloud IQ^TM (XIQ).

For Switch Engine licensing, see the Feature License Requirements for your version of the Switch Engine operating system.

For Fabric Engine licensing, see the Licensing chapter in the Fabric Engine User Guide for your version of the Fabric Engine operating system.

For XIQ licensing, see ExtremeCloud IQ.