Description

The A2H254-16 P0973BK is a fully managed, Layer 2/3 hardened Ethernet switch from the Enterasys (now Extreme Networks) C3 generation of industrial networking equipment, designed to serve as a high-performance aggregation point in mission-critical automation networks. This specific variant is a 16-port unit that combines both copper and fiber connectivity in a ruggedized package built to withstand the extreme environmental conditions found on factory floors, in transportation systems, and in utility substations. The Enterasys A2H254-16 P0973BK provides a critical blend of port density, advanced networking features, and industrial reliability, enabling the seamless and deterministic convergence of control, safety, and information traffic onto a single infrastructure. Its robust metal housing and conformally coated circuitry provide superior immunity to shock, vibration, humidity, and electromagnetic interference (EMI), ensuring uninterrupted operation where commercial-grade switches would fail. This switch is a foundational element for building scalable, secure, and future-proof Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) architectures, facilitating the flow of real-time data from the field level to the control room and beyond.

A2H254-16 PO973BK ENTERASYS

Technical Specifications

Parameter Name	Parameter Value
Product Model	A2H254-16 P0973BK
Manufacturer	Enterasys (Extreme Networks)
Product Type	Managed Industrial Ethernet Switch (Layer 2/3 Lite)
Copper Ports	16 x 10/100BASE-TX RJ45 Ports (Auto-MDI/MDIX)
Fiber Ports	2 dedicated 100BASE-FX ports (typically SC connectors, multimode)
Switching Capacity	8.8 Gbps
Forwarding Rate	6.55 Mpps
Management	CLI, Web UI, SNMP, RMON, ExtremeXOS
Layer 3 Features	Static IP Routing, RIPv1/v2
Power Supply	24 V DC (Redundant input option)
Operating Temperature	-40°C to 75°C (-40°F to 167°F)
Ingress Protection	IP30
Mounting	DIN-rail or panel mountable
Safety/EMC	UL 60950-1, IEC 61000-6-2, IEC 61000-6-4, FCC Part 15 Class A

Main Features and Advantages

The Enterasys A2H254-16 P0973BK distinguishes itself through a powerful combination of flexibility, intelligence, and ruggedness. Its key advantage is the integrated mix of 16 copper ports for connecting local devices like PLCs, HMIs, and drives, plus two dedicated fiber-optic ports for creating noise-immune backbone links to other switches or to the control room over long distances. This eliminates the need to use a slot for a fiber transceiver module for basic connectivity. The switch operates on the robust ExtremeXOS operating system, providing comprehensive Layer 2 features including IEEE 802.1Q VLANs for network segmentation, IEEE 802.1p QoS for prioritizing critical control traffic, and Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP) for creating redundant networks that recover from link failures in milliseconds.

For advanced network designs, the A2H254-16 P0973BK supports Layer 3 “Lite” routing functions, including static routing and RIP, enabling efficient inter-VLAN routing within the industrial zone. This reduces latency and offloads traffic from the core network. Security is paramount, with features like Access Control Lists (ACLs), port security, and support for secure management protocols (SSH, SSL). The hardened design is its cornerstone, with a wide operating temperature range and immunity to vibration and EMI ensuring maximum uptime. The support for redundant DC power inputs further enhances reliability by eliminating the power supply as a single point of failure. This combination of features makes the switch an exceptionally resilient and intelligent networking node for demanding applications.

Application Field

The Enterasys A2H254-16 P0973BK is deployed as a core networking asset in heavy industrial applications requiring a blend of copper and fiber connectivity in a harsh environment. In automotive and discrete manufacturing, it aggregates traffic from numerous robots, weld controllers, vision systems, and PLCs within a large production cell, using its fiber ports to uplink to the plant-wide network. In large-scale material handling and logistics centers, it serves as a main distribution switch for a control zone, connecting motor drives, scanners, and sortation controllers. For the energy and utility sector, including oil and gas and power generation, it provides reliable networking in substations and on drilling platforms, where environmental extremes are a constant challenge.

It is also ideal for water and wastewater treatment plants and transportation systems (railways, tunnels), where it can manage network traffic from distributed process control systems across a large site. The integrated fiber ports are particularly valuable for creating reliable, long-distance, and lightning-resistant links between facilities or to a central control room. The A2H254-16 P0973BK is the ideal solution for any application that requires the advanced features of a managed switch but must be housed directly on the factory floor without the protection of an air-conditioned cabinet.

A2H254-16 PO973BK ENTERASYS

Related Products

A2H254-16 (other suffixes): Variants with different port configurations or power supplies.

A2H124-24TX P0973BJ: A 24-port all-copper industrial switch from the same series.

A2H124-24FX P0973BJ: A 24-port all-fiber industrial switch.

A2H112-12FX/TX: A smaller 12-port industrial switch for less dense applications.

I-SMG2000 Series: Other models in the Enterasys Industrial SmartSwitch family.

ExtremeXOS® Operating System: The network operating system that powers the management features.

VH-240DC: A typical 24V DC industrial power supply for redundant power input.