Description
The Enterasys A4H124-24FX, also identified by the assembly part number P0973JN, is a high-density, managed Layer 2 Fast Ethernet switch designed for enterprise-level edge connectivity. This specific model is a fiber-optic variant of the A4 series, engineered to provide secure, high-performance connectivity in environments where long-distance transmission or electromagnetic interference (EMI) immunity is required. It is widely used in secure government facilities, industrial campuses, and fiber-to-the-desktop (FTTD) architectures.
ENTERASYS A4H124-24FX P0973JN
Technical Specifications & Parameters
The A4H124-24FX is built to deliver wire-speed performance across all ports with a focus on reliability and advanced traffic management.
| Parameter | Specification |
| Model Number | A4H124-24FX |
| Part Number | P0973JN |
| Fixed Ports | 24 x 100Base-FX (SFP-based or Fixed Fiber) |
| Uplink Ports | 2 x 10/100/1000Base-T RJ45 / SFP Combo ports |
| Switching Capacity | 8.8 Gbps |
| Forwarding Rate | 6.6 Mpps (Million Packets Per Second) |
| MAC Address Table | 16,000 entries |
| VLAN Support | 4,094 VLAN IDs (802.1Q tagged) |
| Management | Console (RJ45), SNMP v1/v2c/v3, Web, Telnet, CLI |
| Power Input | 100-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz |
| Form Factor | 1U Rack-mountable |
Key Hardware & Software Features
- Fiber Connectivity: The 24-port 100Base-FX interface allows for fiber runs extending up to 2 kilometers over multi-mode fiber (MMF), making it ideal for distributed campus environments.
- Advanced Security: Features include 802.1X port-based authentication, MAC-based port security, and Access Control Lists (ACLs) to prevent unauthorized network access.
- Quality of Service (QoS): Supports 802.1p priority queuing with four hardware queues per port, ensuring that latency-sensitive traffic like Voice over IP (VoIP) is prioritized.
- Stacking Capability: The A4 series supports closed-loop stacking, allowing multiple units to be managed as a single logical entity to simplify administration.
Product Datasheet Summary
- Performance: Non-blocking architecture ensures that data flows at maximum rates without packet loss even under heavy loads.
- Availability: Supports Spanning Tree Protocol (STP), Rapid Spanning Tree (RSTP), and Multiple Spanning Tree (MSTP) for network redundancy and loop prevention.
- Ease of Use: Features such as LLDP (Link Layer Discovery Protocol) and Auto-MDIX on copper ports simplify installation and device discovery.
- Environmental Tolerance: Designed for standard data center temperatures (0∘C to 50∘C) with internal cooling fans to ensure long-term stability.
Country of Origin
The Enterasys A4H124-24FX (P0973JN) was primarily manufactured in China. Enterasys (which was later acquired by Extreme Networks) maintained significant manufacturing partnerships in Asia for its edge switching and routing portfolios.
Application Areas
This switch is specifically tailored for niche networking requirements:
- Secure Environments: Used in military or government offices where copper cabling is restricted to prevent electronic eavesdropping.
- Industrial Sites: Deployed in factories or power plants where high levels of electrical noise would disrupt traditional copper Ethernet signals.
- Campus Edge: Connecting remote buildings or security kiosks to a central core network over long-distance fiber links.
- Enterprise FTTD: Providing high-speed, dedicated fiber lines directly to workstations in high-security financial or research institutions.
Product Usage Instructions
- Mechanical Installation:
- Mount the unit in a standard 19-inch equipment rack using the provided brackets. Ensure at least 2 inches of clearance on the sides for adequate airflow.
- Fiber Connections:
- Remove the dust caps from the 100Base-FX ports.
- Insert the appropriate LC or SC fiber connectors (depending on your specific port configuration).
- Clean all fiber tips with an optical cleaner before insertion to prevent signal degradation.
- Initial Configuration:
- Connect a serial console cable to the “Console” port.
- Use a terminal emulator (e.g., PuTTY) with settings: 9600 Baud, 8 Data Bits, 1 Stop Bit, No Parity.
- Log in using the default credentials (refer to system documentation) to set the IP address for remote management.
- Management Setup:
- It is highly recommended to enable SNMP v3 and HTTPS for secure management. Configure VLANs to segment management traffic from general user data.
Recommended Related Enterasys/Extreme Models
For users expanding a network based on Enterasys or legacy Extreme Networks hardware, the following models offer high compatibility:
- Enterasys A4H124-24: The standard 24-port copper version of this switch for general office use.
- Enterasys B5-Series: A stackable Gigabit Ethernet switch for higher performance requirements at the edge.
- Enterasys C5-Series: High-performance stackable switches with PoE (Power over Ethernet) support.
- Extreme Networks X440-G2: A modern successor for edge switching that runs the ExtremeXOS operating system.
- Enterasys Matrix N-Series: Chassis-based switches used for core or distribution layers in larger enterprise networks.
