Open application architecture

In H3C open application architecture (OAA), the switch can accommodate high-performance OAP modules to offer dedicated services such as firewall, IPS, or load balancing in addition to conventional forwarding services. By installing OAP modules, the customers can use the switch as a multiservice device without having to buy separate service appliances, such as a firewall device.

High-density 10GE forwarding

H3C S6526XE-EI series switches offer high-density 10GE forwarding and can expand 10GE ports flexibly. It provides 48/32*10/1GE autosensing SFP+ ports, 4*QSFP28 ports with two expansion slots that support up to modules range from GE to 10GE, 25GE, 40GE, 100GE and Multigiga ports. Using a QSFP+ to SFP+ splitter cable, you can split a QSFP+ port into four line-rate 10GE SFP+ ports. Max 72*10GE supported on one single switch.

Embedded access controller

H3C S6526XE-EI series switches implement the WLAN function by installing an AC feature pack on the main control unit, thereby implementing both the wired function and the WLAN function on a single device. Embedded AC is a low-cost WLAN solution, save overall investment, improve forwarding capacity, realized a true unified wired and wireless solution in Campus. Max 2K APs supported on one single switches.

H3C intelligent resilient framework 2 (IRF 2)

H3C Intelligent Resilient Framework 2 (IRF 2) virtualizes multiple S6526XE-EI switches into one virtual switch and provides the following benefits.

Scalability

IRF 2 allows you to add devices to the IRF 2 system easily. It provides a single point of management, enables switch plug-and-play, and supports software auto-update for software synchronization from the master to the new member devices. It brings business agility with lower total cost of ownership by allowing new switches to be added to the fabric without network topology change as business grows.

High availability

The H3C proprietary routing hot backup technology ensures redundancy and backup of all information on the control and data planes and non-stop Layer 3 data forwarding in an IRF 2 fabric. It also eliminates single point of failure and ensures service continuity.

Redundancy and load balancing

The distributed link aggregation technology supports load sharing and mutual backup among multiple uplinks, which enhances the network redundancy and improves link resources usage.

Flexibility and resiliency

H3C S6526XE-EI series switches use standard ports instead of specialized ports for IRF links between IRF member devices. This allows customers to assign bandwidth as needed between uplink, downlink, and IRF system connections. In addition, an S6526XE-EI IRF fabric can span a rack, multiple racks, or multiple campuses.

Hardware specifications