Switch 5500 Family — Front View 17

You can disable auto-negotiation. You can manually configure these ports to 10 Mbps half duplex, 100 Mbps half duplex,

10 Mbps full duplex, or 100 Mbps full duplex. It is not possible to manually configure a 1000 Mbps link because auto-negotiation is mandatory in the 1000 Mbps standard. If you disable auto-negotiation, Auto MDIX cannot function and the ports become fixed in MDIX (cross-over) mode.

If you disable auto-negotiation on a 1000 Mbps port, the speed drops to the highest available speed, which is 100 Mbps by default.

1000BASE-X SFP Ports The 1000BASE-X SFP (Small Form Factor Pluggable) ports support fiber Gigabit Ethernet short-wave (SX), long-wave (LX), long-haul (LH70), and copper (T) SFP Transceivers in any combination. This offers you the flexibility of using SFP transceivers to provide connectivity between the Switch and remote 1000 Mbps workgroups, or to create a high capacity aggregated link backbone connection.

The default state for these ports is auto-negotiation enabled, where the speed, duplex and flow control modes are negotiated. As the speed and duplex modes are fixed by the media type, only the flow control is negotiated with the link partner. Alternatively, auto-negotiationcan be disabled (except 1000BASE-T where auto-negotiation is mandatory) and the flow control setting can be manually configured.

You can also use these ports for stacking the 5500 SI and EI. For information about stacking these switches, see the section entitled “Guidelines For Interconnecting Units” on page 78.

100BASE-X SFP Ports The Switch 5500-EI FX has 24 100BASE-X SFP ports. These are 100Mbps (Switch 5500-EI FX ports that can use multi-mode fiber optic cables of up to 2km and

only) single-mode fiber optic cables of up to 10km.

You must manually configure duplex and flow control.

The Switch 5500-EI FX supports copper transceivers on the Gigabit SFP ports only.

Console Port The console port allows you to connect a terminal and perform remote or local out-of-band management. As the console port on the Switch is an RJ-45 port, you must connect an RJ-450 to DB9 converter cable to a standard null modem cable in order to connect a terminal.

Page 17
Image 17
3Com 5500-EI, 5500G-EI manual Switch 5500 Family Front View

5500G-EI, 5500-EI specifications

The 3Com 5500-EI and 5500G-EI series are advanced Ethernet switches designed for enterprise networks, catering to the growing demand for high-performance, secure, and scalable networking solutions. These switches are particularly suited for large organizations that require robust management capabilities and high-density connectivity.

One of the key features of the 5500-EI and 5500G-EI models is their modular architecture, which allows businesses to tailor the switch configuration to their specific needs. With options for various interface modules, including Gigabit Ethernet and PoE (Power over Ethernet), these switches can support diverse networking requirements and facilitate the gradual expansion of the network infrastructure.

The Series offers advanced Layer 2 and Layer 3 switching capabilities. Layer 2 features include VLAN tagging, trunking, and Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) to ensure efficient traffic management and network segmentation. On the Layer 3 front, the switches support static routing, RIP, and OSPF, enabling dynamic routing protocols for better traffic flow and load balancing. These features together enhance the performance and reliability of enterprise applications.

Security is another vital aspect of the 3Com 5500-EI and 5500G-EI series. The switches come equipped with robust security features to protect sensitive data and maintain compliance. These include MAC address filtering, access control lists (ACLs), and support for 802.1X authentication. Additionally, the devices support secure management protocols like SNMP v3, which enhances the security of management communications.

The 5500G-EI model stands out with its high-density port offerings, supporting up to 48 ports in a single switch, with an option for stacking to create a unified management platform across multiple switches. This flexibility allows organizations to leverage their existing infrastructure while scaling seamlessly in response to growing demands.

Another notable characteristic is the built-in IPv6 support, which positions the 3Com 5500-EI and 5500G-EI models favorably for future-proofing enterprise networks as the transition to IPv6 continues. This feature ensures that organizations can maintain connectivity as devices increasingly adopt the newer protocol.

In conclusion, the 3Com 5500-EI and 5500G-EI series offer a comprehensive suite of features and technologies designed for high-performance enterprise networking. With modularity, robust Layer 2 and Layer 3 capabilities, enhanced security measures, and a focus on scalability, these switches provide a solid foundation for modern corporate networks, accommodating future growth and technological advancements.