Description
The Enterasys A4H254-8F8T (P0973JP) is a stackable, high-performance Fast Ethernet switch designed for the network edge. It provides a flexible mix of copper and fiber connectivity, making it ideal for enterprise branch offices or secure edge deployments requiring robust Layer 2 switching and basic Layer 3 routing.
Product Parameters (Datasheet)
- Model Number: A4H254-8F8T
- Part Number: P0973JP
- Total Ports: 24 Ports
- Port Configuration:
- 8 x 10/100Base-TX (Copper RJ45)
- 8 x 100Base-FX (Fiber SFP)
- 8 x 10/100/1000Base-T (Tri-speed Copper)
- Uplinks: 2 x 10/100/1000 SFP ports (Combo ports)
- Switching Capacity: 12.8 Gbps
- Forwarding Rate: 9.5 Mpps
- Stacking: Support for up to 8 units per stack via dedicated stacking ports
- Management: CLI (Console), Web-based, SNMP, and Enterasys NetSight compatibility
- Form Factor: 1U Rack-mountable
ENTERASYS A4H254-8F8T P0973JP
ENTERASYS A4H254-8F8T P0973JP
ENTERASYS A4H254-8F8T P0973JP
Country of Origin
This networking hardware was designed by Enterasys Networks (acquired by Extreme Networks) and manufactured in China or Taiwan, following global telecommunications hardware standards.
Application Fields
The A4-Series is engineered for reliable edge-to-core connectivity:
- Enterprise Edge: Connecting desktops and IP phones in a mixed fiber/copper wiring closet.
- Industrial Networks: Using the 100Base-FX fiber ports for long-distance runs in electrically noisy environments where copper is susceptible to interference.
- Secure Government Facilities: Utilizing the fiber ports to prevent electromagnetic leakage and ensure secure data transmission between buildings.
- Education: Providing a cost-effective, stackable solution for classroom blocks and computer labs.
Product Usage Instructions
- Rack Installation: Mount the switch in a standard 19-inch rack using the included L-brackets. Ensure adequate airflow from the sides.
- Initial Access: Connect a serial console cable to the RJ45 console port. Use terminal settings: 9600 baud, 8 data bits, no parity, 1 stop bit.
- Basic Config: Assign an IP address to the management VLAN to enable remote access via Telnet, SSH, or the Web interface.
- Fiber Connectivity: When using SFP fiber modules, ensure the transceiver type matches the cable (Single-mode vs. Multi-mode). Clean all fiber connectors before insertion.
- Stacking: To manage multiple units as a single logical switch, connect the stacking cables in a “daisy-chain” or “ring” topology before powering on the stack members.
Product Technical Description
The A4H254-8F8T belongs to the Enterasys A4 family, known for its “Policy-Based” networking architecture. Technically, it supports granular Quality of Service (QoS) and security policies that follow the user regardless of which physical port they plug into. It features a non-blocking switching fabric and supports advanced Layer 2 features like Link Aggregation (802.3ad), Spanning Tree (802.1w/802.1s), and VLAN tagging (802.1Q). Its hybrid port layout (8T8F) allows it to act as a media converter, bridging legacy copper segments with modern fiber backbones without requiring external transceivers.
Q&A (Common Questions)
Q: Is this switch PoE (Power over Ethernet) capable? A: No, the A4H254-8F8T does not support PoE. For powering IP phones or cameras, the “P” versions (e.g., A4H124-24P) would be required.
Q: Can I manage this switch with Extreme Networks software? A: Yes. Since Extreme Networks acquired Enterasys, the A4 series is fully supported by the Extreme Management Center (formerly NetSight).
Q: What type of stacking cable does it use? A: It uses proprietary high-speed stacking cables (A4-STACK-50CM or A4-STACK-2M) which are separate from the standard SFP ports.
Q: How do the “Combo” ports work? A: If you plug a transceiver into an SFP combo port, the corresponding RJ45 copper port is automatically disabled to prevent conflict.
Similar Model Recommendations
- Enterasys A4H124-24 (All copper variant)
- Enterasys A4H124-24P (PoE variant)
- Enterasys B5-Series (Gigabit stackable successor)
- Extreme Networks X440-G2 (Modern alternative)
- Enterasys C5-Series (High-performance Layer 3 alternative)
For further technical support or to procure the Enterasys A4H254-8F8T P0973JP, please contact our network infrastructure specialists.
