Fundamentals of Enterprise-Class
Switching Architecture
Technical Brief
In today’s competitive business
environment, network uptime offers
a critical advantage in generating
revenue, and data security is a
requirement with sensitive customer
and corporate information.
APCON understands this focus on
performance and security. That’s
why we designed the Series 3000
switching family to achieve maximum
uptime. Five key features of our
enterprise-class switches are:
▪ Fault-tolerant architecture
▪ Hot-swappable, field-replaceable
components
▪ Proven suite of software
▪ Enterprise-class data
security features
▪ Complete system scalability
Redundancy Provides Reliability
APCON Switches were developed to eliminate single points of
failure. Redundancy of critical components creates a highly
available and fault tolerant switch. The APCON architecture
includes:
▪ Independent data and control blades
▪ Redundant control blades with automatic failover
▪ Multiple power supplies with automatic failover
▪ Dual LAN ports
A primary feature of APCON’s enterprise architecture is faulttolerant dual controller blades. Unlike switches with single
controllers that can halt network operations during a failure,
the Series 3000 has high availability failover, allowing it to be
used in-line in the production network of an enterprise.
Should the active controller fail, the standby unit powers off
the failing active controller and assumes the active device
role. Failover occurs in a matter of seconds, with no impact on
active connections.
Series 3000 switches also feature separate data and control
blades. With no data ports present on the controller blades,
engineers can simply swap a data blade without affecting
normal switch operation.
As an added measure of protection, the controllers also
feature dual LAN ports, where each LAN port is assigned an
address from a separate segment of the network to provide
redundancy. If a fault is detected in either the LAN port or
a segment of the network connected to that LAN port, the
secondary LAN port automatically makes the connection.
T E C H N I C A L
B R I E F
Technical Brief – Fundamentals of Enterprise-Class Switching Architecture
Modular Design
APCON’s enterprise-class architecture
offers a modular designed switch family,
where key components are either hotswappable or field-replaceable.
Redundant control blades assure maximum uptime, and even
in the event of failure, configured connections are protected.
Field-replaceable power supplies are standard across the APCON
product line, minimizing the required inventory of spares.
A failing power supply can be removed
and replaced in the switch chassis without
affecting normal switch operations. All
connections through the switch remain
active, while maintaining the proper power
load balance.
The fan tray assembly is easy to remove
and replace while the switch is operating.
with no adverse affect on the switch’s
internal components.
Additionally, any data blade can be
replaced while the switch is powered up and
operational. Swap-out affects only the ports
connected to that blade, preserving uptime
for the rest of the switch and your data
security and network monitoring system.
Finally, the small form-factor pluggable
(SFP), SFP+, QSFP, and XFP transceiver
modules are also field-replaceable.
Customers can utilize all ports in an
installed chassis without incurring
additional licensing fees for per-port
activation.
Easily removable fan tray
allows easy replacement
without interrupting traffic.
Replaceable SFP transceivers
allow you to customize your
blades.
APCON switches support
10G and 40G Ethernet Trunking
Technical Brief – Fundamentals of Enterprise-Class Switching Architecture
Proven Software Suite
APCON’s suite of switch management software has
been refined and proven through several generations
of development and improved with real-world feedback.
With four interface options, APCON offers the widest
range of capabilities for different users and organizations.
▪ Embedded Web Software | Included in every
switch. With no software to install, users can
immediately begin configuring and managing port
connections as soon as the switch is powered up.
Web-based embedded
switch control software
▪ NETVIS™ | Provides a simplified solution for
sharing network monitoring devices by grouping
SPAN/TAPs and tools. Engineers can quickly
make simplex, duplex, multicast, and aggregated
connections from SPAN or monitor ports to
network tools and gain full visibility of the network.
▪ Embedded CLI (API) | Allows users to enter
commands through a telnet or SSH client. An
intuitive interactive mode operates with text
prompts, guiding guides users systematically
through sub-commands.
NETVIS connection control and display software
▪ TITAN | Engineers can easily manage
transparent connectivity for all switch ports,
network analysis tools, routers, and more,
no matter where each component is located.
This intuitive, web-accessible software offers
IT departments a single, centralized point of
control from which to administer an efficient and
comprehensive network monitoring and data
security program.
With TITAN, it’s easy to:
▪ Schedule and manage monitoring sessions
▪ Set and manage device configurations
▪ Manage high-cost monitoring tools to maximize
coverage and utilization across the enterprise
TITAN multi-switch
management software
▪ Report on device activity, usage, and inventory
▪ Easy to configure dashboards
Management of a lights-out facility is more efficient using APCON’s software, which
provides secure, remote access through an embedded web interface. If you need to
reroute connections, simply log in and make the changes electronically; this feature
often eliminates the need for a “truck roll.”
Technical Brief – Fundamentals of Enterprise-Class Switching Architecture
Built-In Data Security
Enterprise networks support a multitude of services that may be accessed
simultaneously by a variety of users from many locations. APCON offers a
suite of advanced features for a secure network environment, including:
▪ SNMP v3 support
▪ Integrated TACACS+, RADIUS and LDAP support with AAA
▪ SSH and HTTPS/SSL (encryption)
▪ Permissions-based access for features and roles
ABOUT APCON
APCON develops innovative, scalable
technology solutions to enhance
network monitoring, support IT traffic
analysis, and streamline IT network
management and security. APCON
is the industry leader for state-ofthe-art IT data aggregation, filtering,
and network switching products, as
well as leading-edge managementsoftware support. Organizations
in over 40 countries depend on
APCON network infrastructure
solutions. Customers include Global
Fortune 500 companies, banks
and financial services institutions,
telecommunication service providers,
government and military, and
computer equipment manufacturers.
Contact Us
Please email sales@apcon.com
or call 503–682–4050 if you have
any questions
Data center managers can allow or restrict access to various features of
the switch to patch and unpatch connections, change port settings but
not make changes to the switch, install software updates, and so on.
Additional safeguards provided in APCON products include logic that
prevents SPAN port loops, embedded software that eliminates installation
concerns, and comprehensive logging to create an audit trail.
System Scalability
APCON solutions are designed for the highest scalability in a single
chassis without the need for daisy-chaining multiple switches together.
APCON monitoring solutions are available in four chassis sizes and share
a common family of blades, allowing users to customize their mix of ports.
Network architects and engineers can choose a higher density of copper
or fiber Ethernet, and create a custom mix of 1G, 10G, and 40G ports.
Specialty blades support embedded TAP and Time Stamping functionality.
Engineers can also populate chassis on a blade-by-blade basis, making it
easy to expand as network needs grow.
Additionally, having a range of chassis options offers enterprises the
ability to save money―utilizing smaller chassis in lower port count
locations and larger chassis for higher density requirements.
APCON switches support high-performance SFP+ multi-rate software
selectable optics for higher port density and less power consumption,
reducing overall costs.
The Bottom Line
The enterprise network environment is strategic, complex, and continually
growing. Call today to learn how APCON’s enterprise-class solutions can
support your network monitoring operations.
APCON, Inc. ▪ apcon.com ▪ +1 503–682–4050 ▪ 800–624–6808
© 2014 APCON, Inc. All Rights Reserved. INTELLAPATCH® is a Registered Trademark of APCON, Inc.
@APCON ▪ company/APCON ▪ APCON is an Equal Opportunity Employer – MFDV
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