Allied Telesis AT-SBX81XLEM/XT4 – 4-Port 1G/10G RJ45 Expansion Module for SBX8100

Product Overview

The Allied Telesis SBX8100 10G RJ45 expansion module (AT-SBX81XLEM/XT4) provides 4 ports of 1G/10G copper RJ45 connectivity for the SwitchBlade x8100 series modular chassis, enabling high-density 10GBase-T server and endpoint connectivity within the SBX8100 platform. Designed for enterprise core switching and data center aggregation deployments, this AT-SBX81XLEM XT4 10G copper line card for SBX8100 supports hot-swap insertion and integrates fully with the chassis management, AMF+, and AlliedWare Plus operating system. For network architects requiring a 10GBase-T copper expansion module for SwitchBlade x8100 chassis, the XT4 variant offers a cost-effective path to copper 10G density without optical transceivers or fiber patch panels.

Product Description

The AT-SBX81XLEM/XT4 is a line card expansion module for the Allied Telesis SwitchBlade x8100 (SBX8100) series chassis, delivering 4 ports of 1G/10G RJ45 copper connectivity per module slot. The SBX8100 is Allied Telesis’ high-capacity modular chassis platform for enterprise core, aggregation, and data center applications, and the XLEM/XT4 module extends its port density with cost-effective copper 10G access. Each RJ45 port on the XT4 module supports 10GBase-T operation, autonegoiating between 1G and 10G to connect servers, storage arrays, or downstream access switches at the speed each device supports. This eliminates the need for separate SFP+ transceivers and DAC cables for copper 10G connectivity in environments where Cat6a cabling is already deployed. The module is hot-swappable, allowing replacement or upgrade while the SBX8100 chassis remains in service, preserving the high-availability requirements of core network infrastructure. Management is fully integrated through the SBX8100 chassis management plane, with AlliedWare Plus providing CLI, web GUI, and SNMP access. AMF+ (Autonomous Management Framework Plus) participation enables zero-touch provisioning, configuration management, and automated node recovery within a managed AMF domain. The XLEM/XT4 module is designed exclusively for the SBX8100 series and is not cross-compatible with the SBX908 GEN2 or other chassis platforms. Network engineers deploying or expanding SBX8100-based core switching infrastructure will find the AT-SBX81XLEM/XT4 a straightforward copper 10G density addition, particularly in environments where structured cabling to servers and storage is already installed in Cat6a.

Key Features

• 4x 1G/10G RJ45 Copper Ports — Each port autonegoiates between 1GbE and 10GbE over standard RJ45, eliminating separate optical transceivers for copper 10G connectivity.
• 10GBase-T Support — Full IEEE 802.3an 10GBase-T operation for copper 10G server and storage connectivity over Cat6a cabling infrastructure.
• SBX8100 Chassis Compatibility — Designed exclusively for the SwitchBlade x8100 series, integrating with the chassis backplane, power, and centralized management.
• Hot-Swap Capable — Module insertion and removal supported while the SBX8100 chassis remains powered, maintaining core network uptime during maintenance.
• AlliedWare Plus Management — Managed through the chassis CLI, web GUI, and SNMP with no separate management configuration required per module.
• AMF+ Integration — Participates in Autonomous Management Framework Plus for zero-touch provisioning, config backup, and network-wide management.
• Chassis Power Management — Power draw is governed by the SBX8100 chassis power subsystem with per-port power scaling based on active link speed.
• No Optical Transceivers Required — Copper RJ45 connectivity removes the cost and management overhead of SFP+ transceivers and fiber patch panels for 10G server connections.

Typical Applications

• Expanding copper 10G server connectivity in enterprise data centers using existing SBX8100 chassis investments and Cat6a cabling.
• SBX8100 core switching deployments requiring additional 10G copper density for server, storage, or hypervisor host connections.
• Aggregation layer chassis where 10G copper downlinks to access switches or top-of-rack switches are preferred over fiber.
• Modular chassis refresh cycles adding 10G copper capacity to SBX8100 slots without replacing the chassis or backbone cabling.

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Which chassis is the AT-SBX81XLEM/XT4 compatible with?

The AT-SBX81XLEM/XT4 is designed exclusively for the Allied Telesis SwitchBlade x8100 (SBX8100) series chassis. It is not compatible with the SBX908, SBX908 GEN2, or any other Allied Telesis chassis platform.

Q: What cabling is required for 10G operation?

10GBase-T operation (IEEE 802.3an) requires Cat6a cabling for runs up to 100 meters. Cat6 supports 10G up to approximately 55 meters. At 1G speeds, Cat5e or Cat6 is sufficient for standard 100-meter runs.

Q: Can the module be inserted or removed while the chassis is running?

Yes. The AT-SBX81XLEM/XT4 supports hot-swap operation, allowing the module to be installed or removed without powering down the SBX8100 chassis or interrupting other installed modules.

Q: How many XT4 modules can be installed in a single SBX8100 chassis?

The number of modules is limited by the available line-card slots in the specific SBX8100 chassis model and the chassis power budget. Consult the SBX8100 chassis documentation for slot count and power constraints per configuration.

Q: Does this module support PoE?

No. The AT-SBX81XLEM/XT4 is a data-only expansion module. Power over Ethernet is not supported on this module.

Q: Is this the same as the AT-XEM2-12XTM module?

No. The AT-SBX81XLEM/XT4 is designed for the SBX8100 chassis series and provides 4 ports of 1G/10G copper. The AT-XEM2-12XTM is designed for the SBX908 GEN2 chassis and provides 12 ports with multi-rate 1G/2.5G/5G/10G support. These modules are not interchangeable.

Q: Where can I purchase the AT-SBX81XLEM/XT4?

The Allied Telesis AT-SBX81XLEM/XT4 is available through Creation Networks at creationnetworks.net. Contact our team for SBX8100 chassis configuration guidance, compatibility verification, and volume pricing.