Allied Telesis AT-X550-18XSQ-90 – 16-Port SFP+ 40G Stackable Layer 3 Switch

Product Overview

The Allied Telesis x550-18XSQ-90 is a compact, high-performance Layer 3 stackable switch purpose-built for network core and distribution roles in enterprise, education, and government environments. As a leading Allied Telesis x550 16-port SFP+ 40G stackable switch, it provides 16 ports of 1G/10G SFP+ connectivity alongside 2 QSFP+ ports for 40G uplinks or inter-stack connectivity — all in an energy-efficient 1U chassis with a single PSU. Its TAA-compliant design and VCStack support make it an ideal compact 10G SFP+ Layer 3 stackable switch for enterprise distribution and an excellent fit for organizations deploying 802.11ac Wave 2 high-density wireless infrastructure that requires 10G uplink capacity from access layer equipment. Available from Creation Networks.

Product Description

The AT-X550-18XSQ-90 delivers 16 front-panel SFP+ ports that accept 1G or 10G optical transceivers, providing full flexibility in media and distance selection for server, access layer, and inter-switch connections. Two QSFP+ ports support 40G uplinks to aggregation or core switches, or serve as high-speed stacking links for VCStack deployments. With a 4x10G breakout cable, each QSFP+ port can also be split into 4 independent 10G connections, extending server or endpoint density without additional hardware. The x550-18XSQ-90 runs AlliedWare Plus, supporting full Layer 3 routing including static routes, OSPFv2/v3, BGP4, RIP/RIPng, and PIM multicast for network cores requiring inter-VLAN routing and policy-based forwarding. VCStack allows up to 4 units to be stacked at any port speed, creating a logical switch with up to 64 SFP+ ports and 8 QSFP+ ports while presenting a single management interface. VCStack-LD extends stacking over long-distance fiber for distributed campus environments. The Autonomous Management Framework (AMF) Master capability allows this switch to serve as the central management point for networks of up to 180 AMF nodes (with appropriate licenses), automating provisioning, configuration backup, and firmware rollout. EPSRing and G.8032 Ethernet Ring Protection ensure sub-50ms failover in ring topologies, while OpenFlow v1.3 enables SDN integration for software-defined network architectures. The switch is TAA compliant, EU RoHS and China RoHS certified, and consumes a maximum of 111W — making it one of the most power-efficient 10G stackable switches in its class. The -90 suffix denotes the single PSU configuration; the chassis ships with 19-inch rack mount brackets included. Purchase with confidence from Creation Networks.

Key Features

• 16x 1G/10G SFP+ Ports — Full flexibility in transceiver selection; supports Allied Telesis and MSA-compliant SFP/SFP+ optics for any fiber distance requirement.
• 2x QSFP+ 40G Ports — Dual-use as 40G uplinks or VCStack stacking links; breakout to 4x10G with optional cables.
• VCStack up to 4 Units — Stack at any port speed locally or over long-distance fiber; single management plane across the stack.
• AlliedWare Plus OS — Layer 3 routing: OSPFv2/v3, BGP4, RIP/RIPng, PIM, OpenFlow v1.3, EPSR, G.8032.
• AMF Master Capable — Manage up to 180 AMF nodes across wired and wireless with Vista Manager EX and AMF Plus licenses.
• 40G Breakout Support — Each QSFP+ port supports 4x10G breakout cables for higher server-facing port density.
• 111W Max Power Consumption — Energy-efficient design with IEEE 802.3az EEE support for reduced operational costs.
• TAA Compliant — Eligible for U.S. government and federal agency procurement programs.
• Continuous PoE Support — Maintains PoE delivery to connected powered devices during switch firmware upgrades (when stacked).
• EPSRing and G.8032 ERPS — Fast-failover Ethernet ring protection for resilient distribution topologies.

Typical Applications

• Enterprise network core or distribution switch with all-fiber 10G access connectivity
• High-density 802.11ac/Wi-Fi 6 wireless infrastructure backhaul requiring 10G uplinks
• Small-to-medium data center top-of-rack connectivity with 40G aggregation uplinks
• Stackable campus distribution for education, healthcare, or government networks
• TAA-compliant deployments for U.S. federal and state government agencies
• SDN environments using OpenFlow v1.3 for software-defined network control

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does the -90 suffix indicate for this model?

The -90 suffix designates the single PSU configuration. This means the switch ships with one installed power supply unit. Unlike the x950 series, PSUs are pre-installed in the x550-18XSQ-90; no separate PSU purchase is required for the base configuration.

Q: Can the 2 QSFP+ ports be used simultaneously for stacking and uplinks?

The two QSFP+ ports can each be independently assigned as either a VCStack stacking link or a 40G network uplink port. Typically in a stack configuration, one QSFP+ port per unit is used for stack connectivity, leaving the other available as a 40G uplink to the core.

Q: How many x550-18XSQ-90 units can be stacked together?

Up to 4 x550 units can be combined in a VCStack, providing up to 64x SFP+ 10G ports and 8x QSFP+ 40G ports in a single logical switch. VCStack-LD supports stacking over long-distance fiber links for distributed campus deployments.

Q: Is this switch suitable for supporting high-density 802.11ac Wave 2 access points?

Yes. The x550-18XSQ-90 was designed with high-speed wireless backhaul in mind. Each SFP+ port provides a dedicated 10G connection that fully supports the throughput of 802.11ac Wave 2 (and Wi-Fi 6) access points without creating a bottleneck at the wiring closet.

Q: Does the x550-18XSQ-90 support PoE?

The x550-18XSQ-90 does not provide Power over Ethernet on its SFP+ ports. For PoE requirements, Allied Telesis offers PoE-capable x550 models. However, Continuous PoE — which maintains PoE to connected devices during a firmware upgrade — is supported when stacking with PoE-capable x550 models.

Q: What transceivers are compatible with the SFP+ ports?

The 16 SFP+ ports support the full Allied Telesis range of 1G and 10G SFP/SFP+ transceivers, including short-range (SR), long-range (LR), and extended-range (ER/ZR) options. MSA-compliant transceivers from other vendors may work but are not covered under Allied Telesis warranty or support.

Q: Where can I order the AT-X550-18XSQ-90?

The AT-X550-18XSQ-90 is available through Creation Networks, an authorized Allied Telesis reseller. We can assist with transceiver selection, NetCover support options, and stacking configuration planning.