Allied Telesis AT-XEM2-8XSTM-B05 – 8-Port Mixed SFP+ 10GBase-T Expansion Module 5-Year NCP

Product Overview

The Allied Telesis XEM2-8XSTm (AT-XEM2-8XSTM-B05) is an expansion module—not a standalone switch—designed to install into the single XEM2 bay of a compatible x950-28XSQ or x950-28XTQm chassis. It adds 4 x 1G/10G SFP+ fiber ports alongside 4 x 100M/1/2.5/5/10G 10GBase-T copper ports, delivering mixed-media connectivity in a single module slot. The -B05 suffix includes a 5-year Net Cover Premium support bundle. This module cannot operate without an x950-28 series host switch; do not confuse it with standalone switches or with the XEM2-12XTm (12x copper only), XEM2-12XS v2 (12x SFP+ only), or XEM2-4QS (4x 40G QSFP+).

Product Description

The Allied Telesis XEM2 expansion module 8-port mixed SFP+ 10GBase-T module gives x950-28 series switch architects a uniquely flexible connectivity option in a single slot. The four SFP/SFP+ ports accept standard 1G SFP or 10G SFP+ transceivers, enabling long-distance fiber uplinks to distribution switches, storage arrays, or cross-connect panels at distances far beyond copper's 100-meter limit. The four RJ-45 10GBase-T ports auto-negotiate from 100M through 10G over Cat6A cabling, making them ideal for connecting copper-only devices such as servers, NAS, or legacy aggregation switches without additional media converters. The combination of fiber and copper in one module is the defining advantage of the XEM2-8XSTm over single-media alternatives: network engineers can deploy both fiber backbone uplinks and copper server connections simultaneously from the same expansion slot. The module slots directly into the x950-28XSQ or x950-28XTQm's XEM2 bay in a tool-free operation, with a total additional power draw of approximately 18.6W above the base chassis consumption. The -B05 suffix specifies a 5-year Net Cover Premium support bundle, covering software updates, advance hardware replacement, and technical helpdesk access—distinguishing it from the AT-XEM2-8XSTM-B01, which includes the same hardware but with only a 1-year support bundle. For environments requiring long-term software currency and hardware protection, the 5-year bundle reduces total cost of ownership compared to annual renewal. Available from Creation Networks at creationnetworks.net.

Key Features

• 4 x 1G/10G SFP/SFP+ Ports — Accepts standard SFP (1G) and SFP+ (10G) transceivers for long-distance fiber connectivity to backbone switches, storage, or WAN handoffs.
• 4 x 100M/1/2.5/5/10G 10GBase-T Ports (RJ-45) — Full multi-gigabit auto-negotiation over Cat6A for direct copper server or device connections up to 100 meters.
• Mixed-Media in One Slot — Unique among XEM2 modules: simultaneously provides fiber and copper connectivity without consuming two bays or adding external patch panels.
• Compatible with x950-28XSQ and x950-28XTQm — Requires a compatible x950-28 series host chassis with an available XEM2 bay; not compatible with x950-52 models (no XEM bay).
• 5-Year Net Cover Premium (-B05) — Includes software maintenance, advance hardware replacement, and 24/7 helpdesk for 5 years. Compare to AT-XEM2-8XSTM-B01 for 1-year coverage.
• Tool-Free Installation — Hot-insert capable into the x950-28 XEM2 bay; no downtime required for module installation.
• Compact Module Form Factor — 130 x 166 x 40 mm; 0.70 kg unpackaged weight.

Typical Applications

• Expanding x950-28XTQm or x950-28XSQ core switches with simultaneous fiber uplinks and copper server ports
• Data center top-of-rack configurations needing both 10G SFP+ storage fabric links and 10GBase-T server connections in one expansion slot
• Enterprise distribution switches requiring fiber aggregation from access layer plus direct copper connections to local servers
• Phased network upgrades where some devices use SFP+ optics and others rely on existing copper Cat6A runs

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is this a standalone switch or an expansion module?

The AT-XEM2-8XSTM-B05 is an expansion module only. It must be installed into the XEM2 bay of a compatible x950-28XSQ or x950-28XTQm switch. It has no management interface or power supply of its own and cannot operate independently.

Q: Which x950 models support this module?

Only the x950-28XSQ and x950-28XTQm have the single XEM2 expansion bay. The x950-52XSQ and x950-52XTQm do not have an XEM bay and cannot accept any XEM2 module.

Q: What is the difference between AT-XEM2-8XSTM-B05 and AT-XEM2-8XSTM-B01?

The hardware is identical. The -B05 includes 5 years of Net Cover Premium support; the -B01 includes 1 year. Choose -B05 to minimize renewal overhead and lock in support pricing for the life of the deployment.

Q: How does the XEM2-8XSTm differ from XEM2-12XTm and XEM2-12XS v2?

The XEM2-8XSTm provides mixed connectivity: 4 x SFP+ (fiber) and 4 x 10GBase-T (copper). The XEM2-12XTm provides 12 x 10GBase-T copper ports only. The XEM2-12XS v2 provides 12 x SFP+ fiber ports only. Choose XEM2-8XSTm when you need both media types simultaneously.

Q: Can I use standard 1G SFP transceivers in the SFP+ ports?

Yes. The 4 x SFP+ ports are backward-compatible with standard 1G SFP transceivers, allowing mixed 1G and 10G fiber connectivity in the same module.

Q: What cabling is required for the 10GBase-T ports?

IEEE 802.3an 10GBase-T supports Cat6A cabling at up to 100 meters for 10G operation. Cat6 cabling is supported at reduced distances (approximately 55 meters at 10G). Cat5e is not recommended for 10G operation.

Q: Where can I purchase the AT-XEM2-8XSTM-B05?

Creation Networks stocks Allied Telesis expansion modules and can configure complete x950 chassis bundles. Visit creationnetworks.net for pricing and availability.