Extreme Networks ExtremeSwitching 5420M Ethernet Switch

Experience enterprise-grade resilience, security, and performance with the ExtremeSwitching 5420M Ethernet Switch. Designed for mid-size campuses, branch offices, and data centers, this switch delivers high-density PoE capabilities, multi-gig networking, and cloud-powered management. With 802.3bt PoE up to 90W, robust stacking options, 4 x 10/25G SFP28 uplinks, and MACsec support, the 5420M provides a scalable foundation for video surveillance, IP phones, wireless access points, and other power-demanding devices. Included fan module, two modular PSU slots for redundancy, and a one-year XIQ Pilot Cloud subscription combine to reduce downtime and streamline provisioning, monitoring, and analytics. Whether you're building a classroom network, a small data center, or a distributed enterprise edge, the 5420M brings flexibility, security, and dependable performance to your deployment.

• High-density PoE and multi-rate ports: 16 ports support 100Mb/1Gb/2.5Gb Ethernet with 802.3bt PoE up to 90W, enabling high-power devices and flexible edge deployments without extra power infrastructure.
• Extensive PoE+ capacity for endpoints: 32 additional 10/100/1000BASE-T PoE+ ports power IP cameras, VoIP phones, and access points, simplifying campus and office deployments with centralized power management.
• Ultra-fast uplinks for server and storage access: 4 x 10/25G SFP28 uplinks provide low-latency backhaul to aggregation layers, servers, and data center interconnects, supporting high-bandwidth applications.
• Scalable stacking and topology flexibility: 2 stacking/SFP-DD ports enable seamless switch stacking for resilient, scalable networks and simplified management across multiple units.
• Security, reliability, and cloud-enabled management: MACsec encryption keeps data secure in transit, a fan module ensures cooling efficiency, 2 modular PSU slots enable redundant power, and a 1-year XIQ Pilot Cloud subscription delivers centralized provisioning and analytics for faster troubleshooting.

Technical Details of Extreme Networks ExtremeSwitching 5420M Ethernet Switch

• Model: ExtremeSwitching 5420M Ethernet Switch
• Ports: 16 x 100Mb/1Gb/2.5Gb Ethernet ports with 802.3bt PoE up to 90W; 32 x 10/100/1000BASE-T PoE+ ports
• Uplinks: 4 x 10/25G SFP28 uplinks
• Stacking: 2 x stacking/SFP-DD ports for scalable multi-switch topologies
• Power: 2 hot-swappable modular PSU slots for redundant power
• Cooling: Includes fan module for reliable cooling in dense deployments
• Security: MACsec capable to encrypt data on the wire
• Management: Includes 1-year XIQ Pilot Cloud subscription for cloud-based provisioning, monitoring, and analytics
• Performance: Designed for high-density, low-latency switching with flexible PoE and uplink options

How to install Extreme Networks ExtremeSwitching 5420M Ethernet Switch

Installing the ExtremeSwitching 5420M is designed to be straightforward for IT teams familiar with enterprise switches. Start by planning your site layout and power strategy. Ensure the equipment rack has adequate ventilation and clearance for airflow, heat dissipation, and access to connectors. If you plan to use redundant power, verify that your facility power is ready to support two hot-swappable power supply modules and that the appropriate UPS sizing is in place to protect against outages and voltage sags.

Mount the switch in a standard 19-inch rack using the included mounting hardware. Attach the fan module if it is not pre-installed, ensuring proper airflow across the device and neighboring equipment. Install both modular PSUs if redundancy is required, following the device’s hot-swap guidance to minimize downtime. Route power cables cleanly and secure them to prevent accidental disconnection during maintenance windows.

Connect your network cables to the front ports, using 802.3bt PoE-enabled ports for powered devices such as cameras and wireless access points. Configure the 4 x 10/25G SFP28 uplinks to your core or distribution switches, selecting appropriate link aggregation and VLAN tagging as needed to meet your performance and security requirements. If you plan to deploy a stacked topology, connect the two stacking/SFP-DD ports to the companion switches in the stack, and enable stacking in the switch’s management interface to form a single logical device with a shared forwarding table.

Power on the device and begin the initial management setup. You can leverage the included 1-year XIQ Pilot Cloud subscription for cloud-based provisioning, monitoring, and analytics. If you prefer a local management approach, you can access the CLI (Command Line Interface) to configure basic settings, including IP address, default gateway, VLANs, QoS policies, ACLs, and PoE power budgets. Update the firmware to the latest release to ensure you have the most current security features and performance optimizations. Create a baseline configuration for your network topology, define your VLANs and access control lists, and implement QoS rules to prioritize critical traffic like VoIP and video conferencing.

Validate the deployment by checking port status, link integrity, PoE power consumption, and stack health. Verify MACsec encryption is active on interfaces that require secure data transmission and confirm that the cloud management connection is reporting correctly in the XIQ interface. Finally, run a basic performance test to verify throughput, latency, and jitter across the uplinks and PoE-enabled endpoints. Ongoing monitoring with the XIQ Pilot Cloud subscription will help you identify anomalies early, ensuring high availability and consistent user experience across campuses and branches.

For ongoing maintenance, schedule regular firmware updates, review PoE budgets for IP cameras and access points, and reassess stacking configurations as your network grows. Document your topology and keep a current inventory of connected endpoints, PoE devices, and uplink connections to simplify future expansions or migrations. The combination of robust hardware, flexible PoE, high-speed uplinks, secure communications, and cloud-based management makes the ExtremeSwitching 5420M a solid choice for organizations seeking reliable performance with scalable growth.

Frequently asked questions

• Q: Does the ExtremeSwitching 5420M support MACsec encryption?
• A: Yes. The 5420M is MACsec capable, enabling encrypted data transmission across the network to enhance security for sensitive traffic.
• Q: How much PoE power does the 5420M provide?
• A: The device supports 802.3bt PoE up to 90W per PoE-enabled port, enabling high-power devices such as certain cameras, lighting, and next-gen wireless access points. Additional PoE+ ports provide flexible power delivery for other endpoints.
• Q: What uplink options are available on the 5420M?
• A: The switch offers 4 x 10/25G SFP28 uplinks for high-bandwidth server and storage connections, with stacking capabilities to scale across multiple switches in a single fabric.
• Q: Can the 5420M be managed from the cloud?
• A: Yes. The product includes a 1-year XIQ Pilot Cloud subscription that provides cloud-based provisioning, monitoring, and analytics to streamline operations and reduce downtime.
• Q: What about redundancy and power reliability?
• A: The 5420M includes 2 hot-swappable modular PSU slots for redundant power and ships with a fan module to maintain optimal cooling in dense deployments, increasing overall reliability.
• Q: Is stacking supported?
• A: Yes. The switch provides 2 stacking/SFP-DD ports to enable scalable, multi-switch architectures with a single management plane for simplified operations.