Allied Telesis AT-X950-52XTQM – 48-Port Multi-Rate 10G Campus Core Switch

Product Overview

The Allied Telesis x950-52XTQm is an advanced Layer 3+ campus core switch engineered for enterprise networks that demand multi-rate copper flexibility and 100G backbone connectivity. As a best-in-class Allied Telesis x950-52XTQM multi-rate 10G campus core switch, it delivers 48 ports of auto-negotiating 100M/1G/2.5G/5G/10G copper alongside 4x QSFP+/QSFP28 uplinks capable of 40G or 100G. Designed for Smart City infrastructure, IoT convergence, and high-density enterprise cores, this switch is the ideal successor for organizations upgrading from legacy 1G access fabrics. Its 1.92 Tbps switching fabric and FIPS 140-2 certification make it a premier choice for enterprise campus core 100G uplink switch deployments requiring both performance and security compliance.

Product Description

The AT-X950-52XTQM is a 1U rack-mount Layer 3+ managed switch featuring 48 multi-rate RJ45 ports that auto-negotiate between 100M, 1G, 2.5G, 5G, and 10G — eliminating the need to replace endpoint NICs or cabling when upgrading from legacy speeds. Four built-in QSFP+/QSFP28 slots provide 40G or 100G uplink connectivity to the data center core or aggregation layer, delivering a non-blocking 1.92 Terabit switching fabric with a forwarding rate of 1,309 Mpps. The switch runs AlliedWare Plus, Allied Telesis's enterprise-class NOS, supporting full Layer 3 routing including static routes, OSPFv2/v3, BGP4, RIP/RIPng, PIM multicast, and VRF-Lite — with an optional Premium license that extends routing tables to 16,000 OSPF routes and 5,000 BGP routes. VCStack technology allows up to 8 units to be stacked locally or over long-distance fiber, presenting the stack as a single logical device for simplified management and redundancy. Dual hot-swappable load-sharing PSUs (AC or DC) and field-replaceable fan modules ensure continuous operation and eliminate single points of failure. The Autonomous Management Framework Plus (AMF Plus) automates configuration backup, zero-touch provisioning, and firmware rollout across the entire network from a single management plane. MACSec (IEEE 802.1AE) encryption — available via optional license on the XEM2-12XS v2 module — secures point-to-point Ethernet links against eavesdropping, while Active Fiber Monitoring detects unauthorized physical taps on fiber connections. FIPS 140-2 certification and JITC listing qualify this switch for U.S. government and Department of Defense network deployments. Available from Creation Networks, your trusted Allied Telesis partner.

Key Features

• 48x Multi-Rate Copper Ports — Auto-negotiate 100M/1G/2.5G/5G/10G on standard Cat6A cabling; protect existing cable infrastructure investments.
• 4x QSFP+/QSFP28 Uplinks — Support 40G or 100G backbone connectivity; each port can also be broken out to 4x 10G with optional cables.
• 1.92 Tbps Non-Blocking Fabric — 1,309 Mpps forwarding rate eliminates congestion at the campus core.
• VCStack up to 8 Units — Stack locally or over long-distance fiber (VCStack-LD); manage as a single virtual device.
• AlliedWare Plus OS — Full Layer 3+ routing: OSPFv2/v3, BGP4/BGP4+, PIM, RIP, VRF-Lite, VXLAN, OpenFlow v1.3.
• Dual Hot-Swap PSUs and Fans — AC or DC PSU options with redundant load-sharing; reverse airflow available for hot-aisle/cold-aisle deployments.
• FIPS 140-2 Certified — Qualified for U.S. Federal and DoD network environments; JITC listed.
• AMF Plus Network Automation — Zero-touch provisioning, automated config backup, and single-pane management for wired and wireless devices.
• MACSec Encryption — IEEE 802.1AE point-to-point link security (via XEM2-12XS v2 + license).
• EPSRing and G.8032 ERPS — Sub-50ms ring failover for resilient campus distribution and backbone topologies.
• Active Fiber Monitoring — Detects physical eavesdropping attempts on fiber links.
• TAA Compliant — Eligible for U.S. government procurement programs.

Typical Applications

• Enterprise campus core and aggregation layer with multi-rate access endpoints
• Smart City network infrastructure requiring convergence of video surveillance, IoT, and public Wi-Fi
• Federal and state government networks requiring FIPS 140-2 and TAA-compliant hardware
• Data center top-of-rack or end-of-row switching with 100G uplinks
• Distributed enterprise environments using VCStack-LD for long-distance resilient stacking
• Network upgrades from 1G to multi-gig without cable replacement

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What copper cable category is required to achieve 10G on the 48 RJ45 ports?

Cat6A or better cabling is required to achieve 10GBase-T speeds at distances up to 55 meters. Cat5e/Cat6 supports up to 5G at shorter distances depending on cable quality and run length.

Q: Can the 4 QSFP+/QSFP28 ports be used simultaneously at 40G and 100G on the same switch?

Yes. Each QSFP+/QSFP28 port independently supports either a 40G QSFP+ or a 100G QSFP28 transceiver. Ports can be mixed, allowing some uplinks at 40G and others at 100G based on transceiver installed.

Q: Does the x950-52XTQm support breakout cables on the 100G ports?

Yes. Each QSFP+/QSFP28 port can be connected via a 4x10G breakout cable, providing up to 16 additional 10G connections for server connectivity or inter-switch links.

Q: How many units can be stacked with VCStack?

Up to 8 x950 units can be stacked using VCStack, either locally or over long-distance fiber links using VCStack-LD. The stack presents as a single logical switch for management and failover purposes.

Q: Is the x950-52XTQm approved for U.S. government procurement?

Yes. The x950-52XTQm is FIPS 140-2 certified, JITC listed (DoDIN APL), and TAA compliant, making it eligible for U.S. Federal and Department of Defense network deployments.

Q: What routing protocols are supported without additional licenses?

The base license includes static routing, OSPFv2/v3 (64 routes), BGP4/BGP4+ (64 routes), and RIP/RIPng. The optional AT-FL-x950-01 Premium license extends OSPF to 16,000 routes, BGP to 5,000 routes, and adds PIM multicast, VRF-Lite, VXLAN, and Q-in-Q.

Q: Can the PSUs be replaced without powering down the switch?

Yes. The x950-52XTQm supports dual hot-swappable load-sharing PSUs. Each PSU can be removed and replaced while the switch remains operational, provided the second PSU is installed and functional.

Q: Where can I purchase the AT-X950-52XTQM?

The AT-X950-52XTQM is available through Creation Networks, an authorized Allied Telesis reseller. Contact us for pricing, volume discounts, and NetCover support bundle options.