Product Brief
Ethernet Routing Switch 5500 Series
Resilient, high-performance switching for the edge, aggregation or the core of the network
Nortel’s Ethernet Routing Switch 5500
series combines high performance, scala-
bility and advanced Layer 3 features in
one versatile solution.
Nortel’s Ethernet Routing Switch (ERS)
5500 series is comprised of stackable
10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet Layer 3
routing switches available in three
models — ERS 5510, 5520 and 5530
and come in a number of configurations
(see Table 1).
These switches are designed to provide
high-density Gigabit desktop connec-
tivity and Power over Ethernet capa-
bility to mid-size and large enterprise
customers’ wiring closets, data centers
or small core installations.
The Ethernet Routing Switch 5500 family
Configuration flexibility
Nortel Ethernet Routing
Recognizing that networking require- Switch 5500 highlights
ments differ from business to business,
• Ability to scale up to 384 Gigabit
Nortel offers several products within
the 5500 series — offering enterprises ports when configured as an
8 high stack
the flexibility to choose the port mix
that’s just right for their networking • High-performance Layer 3 switching
fabric with up to 192 Gbps switch
deployments.
fabric capacity
For example, enterprises looking for • High performance scalability using
high-speed uplink to the network core Nortel’s FAST (Flexible Advanced
Stacking Technology) stacking
can choose ERS 5530, which supports
dual 10-Gigabit connectivity. Other providing up to 640 Gbps of stacking
bandwidth
businesses can opt for a mixture of PoE
and non-PoE supporting units within • Power to IP phones, wireless access
points, network cameras, security
the same stack, which enables units to
and lighting devices, and access
be added to the wiring closet or core on control devices
a convenient and flexible pay-as-you-
• Sub-second fail-over using Nortel’s
grow basis. See Table 2 for a comparison
switch clustering technology
of features in the ERS 5500 family.
Table 1. Nortel Ethernet Routing Switch 5500 Series
Model Port configurations
ERS 5510-24T 24 10/100/1000BaseT ports, plus 2 shared SFP ports.
ERS 5510-48T 48 10/100/1000BaseT ports, plus 2 shared SFP ports.
ERS 5520-24T-PWR 24 10/100/1000 IEEE 802.3af Power over Ethernet ports plus 4 shared SFP ports.
ERS 5520-48T-PWR 48 10/100/1000 IEEE 802.3af Power over Ethernet ports plus 4 shared SFP ports.
ERS 5530-24TFD 24 10/100/1000BaseT ports, 12 shared SFP ports, 2 XFP 10 Gig ports.
All switches come with built-in stacking ports and a 1.5 ft stacking cable as well as a Base Software License Kit. The Advanced
Software License, SFPs and additional stacking cables are available for purchase separately.
Resilience and scalability
through stacking
Nortel’s innovative FAST stacking tech-
nology, which is supported by the
Ethernet Routing Switch 5500 family,
allows for simultaneous bidirectional
traffic flow on each stacking port, which
provides high performance stacking
connectivity across the series. With two
stack-ports per unit and the ability to
stack up to a maximum of eight units
together, a full stack yields up to 640
Gbps stacking capacity and up to 384
Gigabit ports with minimal impact to
performance and bottlenecks. Through
the use of intelligent forwarding, an
optimal data flow using a shortest path
algorithm ensures that data traverses the
stack in the most efficient manner,
ensuring optimum performance at the
edge, aggregation or core of the network.
For premium network uptime, in the
unlikely event of a unit or cable failure,
Nortel’s FAST stacking technology
delivers exceptional network uptime
by maintaining the operation of the
remaining units in the stack. This is made
possible by ensuring that remaining
units continue to run uninterrupted*.
Additionally, through support for
Automatic Unit Replacement (AUR)
when a replacement unit is added into
the stack, the configuration and software
image are automatically synchronized
with that of the failed unit, ensuring
that minimal user intervention is needed
in order to get that unit up and running
again.
For ease of management and mainte-
nance, the ERS 5500 comes complete
with features that enable testing and
monitoring of the stacking backplane
including stack loopback tests and stack
port counters, which enable network
managers to easily troubleshoot potential
issues.
* Requires a stack return cable.
** Requires Advanced Software License.
2
Table 2. Feature comparison
Features 5510
Target customer Mid and large
business
10/100/1000 ports per unit 24/48
SFP ports 2 4
10 Gbps ports None
Power over Ethernet No
Resilient fail-safe stacking Yes
Stacking capacity 640 Gbps
Number of switches supported Up to 4
by an RPS 15 module
Application Desktop connectivity
and server aggregation
High performance and
business continuity
Always-on, always-accessible networks
are vital for ensuring effective collabora-
tion among employees and customers,
and resource sharing between co-workers.
In the unlikely event of an inter-switch
link or unit failure, these interactions
must be able to continue without inter-
ruption. Business depends on it.
Through Nortel Multi-Link Trunking
(MLT) or standards-based 802.3ad Link
Aggregation, enterprises can bundle
multiple connections into a single network
trunk to provide increased bandwidth
and resiliency. In the event that a link
should fail within the aggregation or
trunk, network resiliency can be signifi-
cantly improved as fail-over to the
remaining active links is not dependent on
slow converging networking protocols.
Resiliency can be further enhanced with
uplinks being distributed across multiple
switches using technologies such as
Nortel’s Distributed Multi-Link Trunking
(DMLT) or Distributed Link Aggregation
(DLAG), ensuring that if a switch or
link in the stack should fail, the remaining
uplink links continue to provide network
connectivity to users connected to the
remaining units.
To achieve even higher levels of network
resiliency, DMLT or DLAG can be used
in combination with Nortel’s switch
clustering technology Split Multi-Link
Trunking (SMLT)**, which enables the
links of an MLT, DMLT or DLAG to
5520-PWR 5530
Mid and large Mid and large
business business
24/48 24 (12 shared)
12
None 2
Yes No
Yes Yes
640 Gbps 640 Gbps
1 1
Power to IP devices Wiring closet and
server aggregation
be terminated on two interconnected
core single or stack cluster of switches
for increased resilience and performance
from the edge to the core of the network.
A switch or stack of ERS 5500 switches
use SMLT to load balance multiple
uplinks from the edge of the network,
providing system level redundancy and
further reducing single points of failure
in the network. Additionally, when
using the ERS 5500 as a stack, further
levels are achieved as the network also
benefits from the stacking resilience
inherent to the ERS 5500.
Convergence-ready
functionality
Power over Ethernet
Ethernet Routing Switch 5520 models
include support for IEEE 802.3af
standards-compliant Power over Ethernet
(PoE). Support for this standard enables
the switch to power multiple devices —
including IP phones, wireless access
points, network cameras, security
devices and access control devices
supporting 802.3af — regardless of
product vendor.
Deployment in converged networks is
simplified through dynamic power
management of the PoE ports, with load
sharing and redundant power offered by
Nortel’s RPS 15 Power Supply Unit.
Combined, these features are designed
to ensure that devices requiring PoE can
be added to the network — without
power becoming an issue.
Figure 1. Nortel Ethernet Routing Switch 5500 Network Diagram

Teleworker Coffee shop Remote locations

Fax

PoE
DSL
PoE
ERS 2500

ERS 2500 BCM 50

DSL
IPSec VPN Secure
1100 Phone Router

Analog
T1/E1
Internet Frame Relay PSTN
DSL or Cable Modem IPv4 MPLS

Company headquarters
Secure Secure
Router Router
Active

Active
ERS 5530 Switch Cluster ERS 5530

T1/E1 Digital Trunk or Analog Trunks

10 Gig E

Converged LAN Data Center

Gig E

Network
Manager BCM 200
ERS 2500
Gig E

ERS 5510
FAST Stacking

FE PoE ERS 2500

Gig E

FE PoE
Gig E

ERS 2500
1 Gig E Fiber

FE PoE
ERS 5510
ERS 2500
FAST Stacking

FE PoE

10/100/1000 Gig E

3
Link Layer Discovery Protocol
and Auto Detection/Auto
Configuration
The ERS 5500 series combines the
functionality of the Link Layer Discovery
Protocol (LLDP) and Auto Detection/
Auto Configuration (ADAC) to further
satisfy enterprises’ needs for converged
applications and simplified deployment.
Currently supported on Nortel IP Phones
featuring 802.1AB functionality, the
Ethernet Routing Switch uses LLDP for
auto discovery of 802.1AB-supporting
devices. Through LLDP, the identifica-
tion, configuration and capabilities of
neighboring devices are stored and shared
with other 802.1AB-supporting products
in order to build a topology map.
Through the linkage of these two features,
once the device is identified, the ADAC
feature automatically configures the port
with settings such as VLAN member-
ship and prioritization information.
Security for safeguarding
the network
Protecting the network against both
external and increasingly prevalent
internal attacks is a critical part of every
IT manager’s job. The ability to do this
requires simple to manage, yet intelligent
security solutions that not only look at
the identity of the person logging in,
but also at the device connecting into
the network. This network access control
approach ensures that only authorized
individuals and properly scanned/secured
devices are allowed onto the network,
thereby providing enhanced levels of
security.
Nortel’s Ethernet Routing Switch 5500
Series delivers various features to assist
in securing the network.
Nortel Secure Network Access
solution
Secure Network Access (SNA) —
Nortel’s endpoint security and policy
compliance solution — inspects,
4
assesses, ensures compliance to policy,
and remediates at the network endpoint
source, prior to network access.
Nortel SNA dramatically simplifies the
complexity of enterprise network access
architectures with a solution that assures
endpoint security compliance. Nortel
SNA provides this security through
seamless device quarantine and contain-
ment, remediation and repair for LAN
users and remote users (IPSec/SSL),
with both fixed and mobile connectivity
devices.
Running Nortel SNA with Nortel VPN
Gateways and Routers and ERS 5500
enables a highly integrated endpoint
security solution that’s easy to use and
manage. If an end station is already
known to the network manager as a
trusted device, its MAC address can be
input into the ERS 5500 switch. This
simplified and centralized manner of
managing access ensures that trusted
devices are granted quick access to the
network.
Network Access Control through
802.1X-based authentication
The ERS 5500 series supports IEEE
802.1X-based security, which limits
access to the network based on user
credentials. Through support for any
device with an 802.1X supplicant, as
well as for machines that don’t have a
supplicant but have a known MAC that
can be entered into the switch/RADIUS
server, 802.1X delivers a standards-based
approach to authentication. Additionally,
for Voice over IP (VoIP) deployments
where the PC connects to the network
through a VoIP handset, the PC does its
authentication via EAP while the handset
is authenticated by using its DHCP signa-
ture, thus allowing for a simplified solu-
tion when more than one device requires
authentication on a single switch port.
Dynamic Host Control Protocol
Snooping
Dynamic Host Control Protocol
Snooping (DHCP) snooping provides
network security to a device by elimi-
nating an attacker’s ability to respond to
DHCP requests with false IP informa-
tion (DHCP spoofing). It is based on
trusted versus untrusted ports. DHCP
Snooping drops untrusted DHCP replies
and verifies the source of the DHCP
packets by creating a binding table of
DHCP clients. DHCP Snooping is used
in conjunction with the ARP Inspection
feature.
Dynamic Address Resolution
Protocol inspection
Dynamic Address Resolution Protocol
(ARP) inspection provides network
security to a device by eliminating an
attacker’s ability to poison ARP caches for
systems connected to the subnet. This
feature also prevents attackers from inter-
cepting traffic intended for other hosts on
the subnet (i.e., man-in-the middle).
Based on the DHCP binding table
maintained by the DHCP snooping
application, the function intercepts all
ARP request and responses on ‘untrusted’
ports. It then verifies that each intercepted
packet has valid IP-to-MAC address
binding before updating local ARP
cache or before forwarding the packet
to destination.
IP Source Guard
IP Source Guard is a Layer 2 per port
security feature that prevents IP spoofing
by only allowing IP addresses obtained
through DHCP Snooping. When a
connecting client receives a valid IP
address from the DHCP server, a filter is
installed on the port to allow traffic from
the assigned IP address. IP Source Guard
supports up to 10 IP addresses per port
and is dynamically configured from IP
information stored in the corresponding
DHCP Snooping Binding Entry.
Simplified management
The ERS 5500 series can be managed as
a single stacked entity through one IP
address to simplify network operations.
Dynamic Host Configuration
Protocol
Management is further simplified
through support for the Dynamic Host
Configuration Protocol (DHCP). This
functionality enables network adminis-
trators to centrally manage and auto-
mate the assignment of IP addresses for
Ethernet Routing Switch 5500 both in
standalone and stack configurations.
Enterprise-class management
The ERS 5500 series is managed through
Nortel’s enterprise-class Command Line
Interface (NNCLI). The NNCLI provides
a common industry look and feel to CLI
commands, helping to reduce training
and operational costs. Additionally, use
of either the Java Device Manager tool
or the web-based user interface makes
managing the Ethernet Routing Switch
5500 simple through a graphical
management interface.
Layer 3 functionality
ERS 5500 supports a number of
advanced Layer 3 features — including
static routes as well as the dynamic
routing protocols RIPv1/v2, OSPF**.
With support of up to 2,000 routes and
ECMP (Ethernet Routing Switch 5520
and 5530 only), VRRP and IP
Multinetting, the Ethernet Routing
Switch 5500 series delivers rich Layer 3
functionality enabling its deployment as
either a Layer 3 edge switch or as a core
solution for smaller enterprise networks.
Lifetime warranty
All 5500 switches offer a lifetime warranty.
A Nortel product hardware warranty is
supported for as long as the original end
user continues to own or use the product,
including fan and power supply. In the
event of a discontinuance of product
manufacture, the Nortel warranty support
is limited to five (5) years from the
announcement of discontinuance.
Summary
With more than 100 years in telecommu-
nications, Nortel is uniquely positioned
to help your business reduce costs by
combining voice and data into an inte-
grated system. Let us show you how
ERS 5500, along with other Nortel
products, can increase your profitability,
streamline your business operations,
increase productivity and help you gain
the competitive edge.

Ordering information
Ethernet Routing Switch 5510, 5520 and 5530 Cable and Power Supply continued
Order Code Description Order Code Description
AL1001*03-E5 Ethernet Routing Switch 5510-48T with 48 10/100/1000 AA0005*19-E5 Ethernet Routing Switch RPS 15 600-watt RPS
ports plus 2 shared fiber mini-GBIC ports and a 1.5 foot module (1 DC cable per RPS module required)
Stacking Cable. Includes Base Software License Kit. AA0005018-E6 Redundant Power Supply 15 - Connecting Cable
AL1001*04-E5 Ethernet Routing Switch 5510-24T with 24 10/100/1000 (6ft / 1.8m) for a single ERS 5520, 5530
ports plus 2 shared fiber mini-GBIC ports and a 1.5 foot AA0005020-E6 Redundant Power Supply 15 - Long Connecting
Stacking Cable. No Power Cord. Includes Base Software Cable (7.6m/25ft) for up to 4 x ERS 5510
License Kit.
AL1001*05-E5 Ethernet Routing Switch 5520-48T-PWR with 48
AA0005021-E6 Redundant Power Supply 15 - Short Connecting
10/100/1000 IEEE 802.3af Power over Ethernet ports plus
Cable (3m/10ft) for up to 4 x ERS 5510
4 shared fiber mini-GBIC ports and a 1.5 foot Stacking
Cable. Includes Base Software License Kit. AL1904007-E6 -48 V DC-to-DC converter, for installation in the
ERS 5510-48T and 5510-24T
AL1001*06-E5 Ethernet Routing Switch 5520-24T-PWR with 24
10/100/1000 IEEE 802.3af Power over Ethernet ports plus
4 shared fiber mini-GBIC ports and a 1.5 foot Stacking SFP (Short-form Factor Pluggable) Transceivers
Cable. Includes Base Software License Kit.
AL1001*07-E5 Ethernet Routing Switch 5530-24TFD Switch with
Order Code Description
24 10/100/1000Base-T ports, 12 shared fiber mini-GBIC AA1419013-E5 1-port 1000Base-SX SFP GBIC (LC connector)
switch ports, 2 built-in XFP 10 Gig ports, built-in stacking AA1419014-E5 1-port 1000Base-SX SFP GBIC (MT-RJ connector)
ports and a 1.5 foot Stacking Cable. Includes Base Software
AA1419015-E5 1-port 1000Base-LX SFP GBIC (LC connector)
License Kit.
AA1419043-E5 1-port 1000Base-T Small Form Pluggable (SFP), 8-pin
Cable and Power Supply modular connector (RJ-45)
AA1419025-E5 1-port 1000Base-CWDM SFP GBIC – 1470nm Wavelength
Order Code Description (40km), LC connector
AL2018009-E6 Ethernet Routing Switch 5000-SRC Cascade Return AA1419026-E5 1-port 1000Base-CWDM SFP GBIC – 1490nm Wavelength
Cable (3 foot) (40km), LC connector
AL2018010-E6 Ethernet Routing Switch 5000-SSC Cascade Cable (1 foot) AA1419027-E5 1-port 1000Base-CWDM SFP GBIC – 1510nm Wavelength
AL2018011-E6 Ethernet Routing Switch 5510-SSC Cascade Cable (1.5 feet) (40km), LC connector
AL2018013-E6 Ethernet Routing Switch 5510-SSC Cascade Cable (10 feet) AA1419028-E5 1-port 1000Base-CWDM SFP GBIC – 1530nm Wavelength
AL2018014-E6 Ethernet Routing Switch 5510-SSC Cascade Cable (40km), LC connector
(5 meter/16.4 feet) AA1419029-E5 1-port 1000Base-CWDM SFP GBIC – 1550nm Wavelength
AL2011013-E6 Console cable for use with Ethernet Switches and (40km), LC connector
Ethernet Routing Switches AA1419030-E5 1-port 1000Base-CWDM SFP GBIC – 1570nm Wavelength
AA0005017-E5 Ethernet Routing Switch RPS 15 Chassis (up to three (40km), LC connector
RPS 15 modules can be installed in the chassis) AA1419031-E5 1-port 1000Base-CWDM SFP GBIC – 1590nm Wavelength
(40km), LC connector

5
SFP (Short-form Factor Pluggable) Transceivers Advanced Software License
continued
Order Code Description
Order Code Description AL1016001 Advanced Software License for single stack/standalone unit
AA1419069-E5 1-port 1000Base-BX SFP GBIC - 1310nm Wavelength,LC AL1016002 Advanced Software License for 10 stacks/standalone units
Connector. Must be paired with AA1419070-E5. AL1016003 Advanced Software License for 50 stacks/standalone units
AA1419070-E5 1-port 1000Base-BX SFP GBIC - 1490nm Wavelength, LC AL1016004 Advanced Software License for 100 stacks/standalone units
Connector. Must be paired with AA1419069-E5.
AA1419032-E5 1-port 1000Base-CWDM SFP GBIC – 1610nm Wavelength
(40km), LC connector Maintenance Services
AA1419033-E5 1-port 1000Base-CWDM SFP GBIC – 1470nm Wavelength Order Code Description
(70km), LC connector
GE5300xxx Technical Support Service
AA1419034-E5 1-port 1000Base-CWDM SFP GBIC – 1490nm Wavelength
(70km), LC connector GL5300xxx Return & Replace Service
AA1419035-E5 1-port 1000Base-CWDM SFP GBIC – 1510nm GF5300xxx Managed Spares Services Pack — Next Business Day
Wavelength (70km), LC connector GG5300xxx Managed Spares Second Business Day
AA1419036-E5 1-port 1000Base-CWDM SFP GBIC – 1530nm GH5300xxx Managed Spares Services Pack — 4 Hour 7x24
Wavelength (70km), LC connector GJ5300xxx Managed On-Site with Spares Services Pack — Next
AA1419037-E5 1-port 1000Base-CWDM SFP GBIC – 1550nm Business Day
Wavelength (70km), LC connector GK5300xxx Managed Onsite with Spares SBD Svc Pack
AA1419038-E5 1-port 1000Base-CWDM SFP GBIC – 1570nm GN5300xxx Managed On-Site with Spares Services Pack — 4 Hour 7x24
Wavelength (70km), LC connector
AA1419039-E5 1-port 1000Base-CWDM SFP GBIC – 1590nm Note: Replace xxx with 549 for 5510-48T, 550 for 5510-48T, 846 for 5520-48T-PWR, 846
Wavelength (70km), LC connector for 5520-24T-PWR and A08 for 5530.
AA1419040-E5 1-port 1000Base-CWDM SFP GBIC – 1610nm The seventh character (*) of the switch order number is replaced with the proper code to
Wavelength (70km), LC connector indicate nationalization:
“A” – No power cord included

XFP Transceivers for 10 Gbps uplink (for 5530) “B” – European “schuko” power cord common in Austria, Belgium, Finland, France,
Germany, The Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden.
Order Code Description “C” – Power cord commonly used in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
AA1403001-E5 10GBase-LR XFP (1310nm, Single mode fiber, up to 10Km, “D” – Power cord commonly used in Japan.
LC connector) “E” – North American power cord.
AA1403003-E5 10GBase-ER XFP (155 0nm, Single mode fiber, up to 40Km, “F” – Australian power cord, also commonly used in New Zealand and the People’s
LC connector) Republic of China.
AA1403005-E5 10GBase-SR XFP (850nm, Multi-mode fiber, up to 300m,
LC connector)

Nortel is a recognized leader in delivering communications capabilities that make the In the United States:
Nortel
promise of Business Made Simple a reality for our customers. Our next-generation tech-
35 Davis Drive
nologies, for both service provider and enterprise networks, support multimedia and Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 USA
business-critical applications. Nortel’s technologies are designed to help eliminate today’s In Canada:
barriers to efficiency, speed and performance by simplifying networks and connecting Nortel
people to the information they need, when they need it. Nortel does business in more 195 The West Mall
Toronto, Ontario M9C 5K1 Canada
than 150 countries around the world. For more information, visit Nortel on the Web at
In Caribbean and Latin America:
www.nortel.com. For the latest Nortel news, visit www.nortel.com/news. Nortel
For more information, contact your Nortel representative, or call 1-800-4 NORTEL or 1500 Concorde Terrace
Sunrise, FL 33323 USA
1-800-466-7835 from anywhere in North America.
In Europe:
Nortel, the Nortel logo, Nortel Business Made Simple and the Globemark are trade- Nortel
Maidenhead Office Park, Westacott Way
marks of Nortel Networks. All other trademarks are the property of their owners.
Maidenhead Berkshire SL6 3QH UK
Copyright © 2007 Nortel Networks. All rights reserved. Information in this document Phone: 00 800 8008 9009

is subject to change without notice. Nortel assumes no responsibility for any errors that In Asia:
Nortel
may appear in this document. United Square, 101 Thomson Road
Singapore 307591
NN119200-121707 Phone: (65) 6287 2877

BUSINESS MADE SIMPLE