3
Recessed connectors
Figure 3. Plug-and-play stacking with recessed stack connectors
BayStack 5510 stack
Server
Passport 8600 Switch
DMLT across stack with
load-balancing and
fail-over protection
for uninterrupted
access to servers or the
network center
Figure 4. Distributed Multi-Link Trunking across stack
Recessed stacking connectors
for higher reliability
BayStack 5510 Switches are designed with
recessed stacking connectors that save premium
closet space and protect the integrity of the
stack from accidental contact
(Figure 3)
.
BoSS (BayStack operating system
Switching Software)
BoSS for BayStack 5510 Switches is a single
software image that allows BayStack 5510-48T,
BayStack 5510-24T, and future BayStack
5510 series Switches to stack together. BoSS
for BayStack 5510 Switches is specific to this
next generation of stacking switches, with a
software image that supports this new archi-
tecture. Earlier BayStack switches support a
different version of BoSS—although all share
the same core software.
Simplified network operations
BoSS simplifies network operations by reduc-
ing the number of steps required for switch
software updates. With BoSS, only a single
image needs to be downloaded from Nortel
Networks support site for all BayStack 5510
Switch types. Loading the image to different
switches is also considerably simplified. The
image is loaded only to the base unit of the
stack which automatically loads it to other
switches in the stack.
Multi-Link Trunking
Multi-Link Trunking (MLT) enables grouping
of links between the BayStack 5510 and
another switch or server to provide greater
bandwidth with active redundant links. Nortel
Networks unique Distributed Multi-Link
Trunking (DMLT) feature allows trunked
ports to span multiple units of the stack for
fail-safe connectivity to mission-critical
servers and the network center
(Figure 4)
.
BayStack 5510 Switches have been archi-
tected to support up to 32 trunks per switch
or stack, with each trunk consisting of up to
eight members per trunk. Each trunk can
provide bandwidth of up to 16 Gbps.
The Split Multi-Link Trunking (SMLT)
feature of Passport* 8600 eliminates single
points of failure in the network and allows
wiring closet switches, such as the BayStack
5510, to have multiple active connections
to the network core
(Figure 5)
. All links from
a distributed multi-link trunk can be active
simultaneously. This allows customers to load-
balance their network, double the bandwidth,
and use all the ports they have paid for.
