Allied Telesis AT-X550-18XTQ-J90 – JITC Layer 3 Stackable 10G Switch

Product Overview

The Allied Telesis x550 JITC Layer 3 switch 10GBase-T QSFP offers DoD and federal IT teams a certified, procurement-ready network switch designed specifically for use on secure government networks. The AT-X550-18XTQ-J90 is listed on the DoD Information Network Approved Products List (DoDIN APL) through JITC certification, making it a compliant choice for classified and unclassified U.S. Department of Defense environments. Featuring 16 x 10GBase-T NBASE-T copper ports and 2 x QSFP+ 40G uplinks, this TAA-compliant stackable switch delivers high-density 10G access in a 1U form factor ideal for federal data centers, base network infrastructure, and secure enterprise distribution layers. Organizations requiring a JITC-certified 10G aggregation switch with AlliedWare Plus and VCStack stacking will find the x550-18XTQ-J90 the purpose-built platform for secure federal and DoD network deployments.

Product Description

The Allied Telesis x550-18XTQ-J90 is a JITC-certified, TAA-compliant stackable Layer 3 switch built for network core and distribution roles in U.S. federal, DoD, and security-sensitive enterprise environments. The sixteen RJ-45 ports support 1G and 10G speeds via 10GBase-T, allowing deployment over existing Cat6A cabling without infrastructure replacement; NBASE-T auto-negotiation provides backward compatibility with 1G endpoints. Two QSFP+ expansion slots deliver 40G uplink connectivity to spine or aggregation switches, and each 40G port can be broken out into four 10G links using standard breakout cables, providing additional downstream 10G density. The JITC certification — awarded by the Joint Interoperability Test Command — validates that the x550-18XTQ-J90 meets the interoperability and security requirements for operation on DoD Information Networks (DoDIN); the -J90 variant is specifically produced and certified for this federal compliance requirement. Running AlliedWare Plus, the switch supports a comprehensive Layer 3 protocol suite including OSPF, BGP4, RIPng, OSPFv3, PIM multicast, and VRF-Lite, enabling it to serve as a full routing and switching platform at the network core. Virtual Chassis Stacking (VCStack) supports up to four x550 units stacked into a single logical switch at any port speed, with VCStack LD extending stack connectivity over long-distance fiber for distributed site deployments. Allied Telesis Autonomous Management Framework (AMF) allows the x550-18XTQ-J90 to serve as an AMF Master, centralizing management of an entire wired and wireless network as a single virtual device and enabling zero-touch provisioning and automated configuration backup. EPSRing and G.8032 ERPS provide fast-failover ring protection, ensuring high availability for distributed network segments. OpenFlow v1.3 support enables software-defined networking (SDN) integration, and Vista Manager EX provides graphical monitoring and management across the full AMF network including AWC wireless devices. The x550-18XTQ-J90 is manufactured in compliance with the Trade Agreements Act (TAA), qualifying it for U.S. Government Schedule and IDIQ contract purchases. Designed for secure environments, it carries EU RoHS and China RoHS environmental certifications.

Key Features

• JITC Certified (DoDIN APL) — Validated by the Joint Interoperability Test Command for use on DoD Information Networks; the -J90 variant is the purpose-built federal compliance SKU.
• 16 x 10GBase-T Copper Ports — Full-density 10G access over Cat6A cabling with auto-negotiation down to 1G, preserving existing cable plant investments.
• 2 x QSFP+ 40G Uplinks — High-speed uplink connectivity with 4 x 10G breakout cable support per QSFP+ port for added downstream density.
• TAA Compliant — Meets Trade Agreements Act requirements for U.S. Government purchasing vehicles including GSA Schedule.
• VCStack: Up to 4-Unit Stack — Stack up to four x550 switches into a single logical device at any port speed; VCStack LD enables long-distance fiber stacking.
• AlliedWare Plus Operating System — Full Layer 3 routing (OSPF, BGP4, PIM, VRF-Lite), advanced security, and OpenFlow v1.3 SDN support.
• AMF Master Capable — Serves as an AMF Master node, enabling centralized management, zero-touch provisioning, and automated rollback across the entire AMF network.
• EPSRing and G.8032 ERPS — Sub-50ms ring failover for resilient campus and distribution ring topologies.
• OpenFlow v1.3 — ONF-certified SDN integration for programmable network infrastructure in software-defined environments.
• Compact 1U Form Factor — 19-inch rack-mountable at 1U height; 128W max power consumption for space- and power-efficient deployments.

Typical Applications

• U.S. Department of Defense and federal agency network infrastructure requiring JITC (DoDIN APL) certification
• Secure government campus or base network core and distribution layer
• Enterprise network distribution requiring 10G copper access density with 40G uplinks
• Software-defined networking (SDN) deployments with OpenFlow v1.3 integration
• Distributed enterprise sites leveraging VCStack LD over long-distance fiber
• High-speed wireless (802.11ac/ax) backhaul aggregation with multi-gig NBASE-T support

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does JITC certification mean for the AT-X550-18XTQ-J90?

JITC (Joint Interoperability Test Command) certification means the switch has been tested and approved by the U.S. DoD testing organization and is listed on the DoD Information Network Approved Products List (DoDIN APL). This certification is required for deployment on DoD-managed networks. The -J90 variant is the specific SKU produced to meet this federal compliance requirement.

Q: Is the AT-X550-18XTQ-J90 TAA compliant for GSA Schedule purchasing?

Yes. The x550-18XTQ-J90 is Trade Agreements Act (TAA) compliant, qualifying it for U.S. Government purchasing vehicles including GSA Multiple Award Schedules and IDIQ contracts. Contact Creation Networks at https://creationnetworks.net for contract vehicle pricing and availability.

Q: What is the maximum VCStack size for the x550 series?

The x550 series supports VCStack of up to four units, forming a single logical switch managed as one device. VCStack over Long Distance (VCStack LD) extends this capability over long-distance fiber links for distributed campus or multi-building deployments.

Q: How does the QSFP+ 40G breakout feature work?

Each of the two QSFP+ uplink ports can be used with a 4 x 10G breakout cable (AT-SP10SR-BKT4) to provide four individual 10G SFP+ connections from a single QSFP+ port. This effectively allows up to 8 additional 10G links from the two QSFP+ slots, increasing downstream 10G density without additional switching hardware.

Q: What Layer 3 routing protocols does AlliedWare Plus support on the x550-18XTQ-J90?

AlliedWare Plus on the x550 series supports OSPF (OSPFv2 and OSPFv3), BGP4 and BGP4+, RIP and RIPng, PIM-SM/DM/SSM multicast, VRF-Lite for network virtualization, and full IPv6 routing. Advanced routing features may require the Premium feature license (AT-FL-x550-01).

Q: Can the x550-18XTQ-J90 serve as an AMF Master node?

Yes. The x550-18XTQ-J90 supports the AMF Master role, allowing it to centrally manage all AMF-enabled devices on the network as a single virtual device. This includes automated configuration backup and restore, zero-touch provisioning of new devices, and network-wide software upgrades from a single command.

Q: Does this switch support OpenFlow for SDN environments?

Yes. OpenFlow v1.3 is supported via an optional license (AT-FL-x550-OF13). Allied Telesis holds OpenFlow Conformance certification from the Open Networking Foundation (ONF), ensuring full specification compliance for integration with SDN controllers in DoD and enterprise software-defined network architectures.

Q: What cabling is required for 10G operation on the copper ports?

Cat6A cabling is recommended for 10GBase-T operation at the full 55-meter standard reach. The auto-negotiating ports also operate at 1G over Cat5e or Cat6 cabling, preserving existing structured cabling investments in retrofit or upgrade scenarios.