Frequently Asked Questions
5420 Series
Universal Platform Switch FAQ
Below are questions and answers that will aid in
understanding the operation and features of the
5420 Series of universal switches.
5420 Series Universal
Platform Features
Q. Will 5420 Series switches have the same
universal platform features as the 5520?
Yes. The 5420 Series operates in the same manner as the
5520 Series in terms of its universal platform features. This
includes support for multiple operating systems (OS’s),
which can be selected at switch boot-up, or at a later point
in time. It also includes simplified on-boarding and license
management using ExtremeCloud™ IQ.
Q. Does this mean that 5420 will run either the
ExtremeXOS (EXOS) or VSP Operating System
(VOSS) software, like the 5520?
Yes, 5420 hardware models support either the EXOS or
VOSS software. And like the 5520, every 5420 ships with
both the EXOS and VOSS operating systems pre-installed
on the switch.
Q. And will EXOS be the default Operating System
on the 5420?
Yes, the 5420 ships with EXOS as the default OS, but you
can change the OS from EXOS to VOSS after the 5420 has
been received and powered up.
Q. And does the 5420 OS selection process
operate in the same manner as 5520?
Yes, it’s the same with the ability to select the 5420 switch
OS through the following options:
• Via ExtremeCloud IQ (ideal for remote set-up)
• Via the 5420 Command Line Interface (CLI), or
• During the 5420 boot process
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Q. Once the 5420 OS has been selected, can I
later change the OS (e.g., from EXOS to VOSS, or
vice versa)?
Yes, the OS can be changed later using any of the methods
described previously.
Q. Do I need to download a new 5420 OS
software image if I later re-select the OS?
When selecting the OS via ExtremeCloud IQ, a new OS
software image is automatically downloaded to the 5420
unit. If the OS is later reselected via the CLI or boot process,
download of an up-to-date image is recommended as a
best practice.
Q. What are some of the typical 5420 use
cases when running ExtremeXOS?
5420 typical uses cases with ExtremeXOS are:
• Stackable edge solution with up to 8-unit stacking
• Policy-driven edge switch providing unified wired/
wireless policy access
• Fabric Attach edge switch connecting to a VOSS-based
Fabric Connect core
• Extended Edge Switching (Controller Bridge) to
connect V300/V400 edge switches
• Value aggregation with 1G fiber to the desktop (using
5420F-24S-4XE model)
Q. What are some of the typical 5420 use
cases when running VOSS?
5420 typical use cases with VOSS are:
• Zero-touch Fabric Connect node with automated
configuration and full fabric services
• Flexible non-stacking edge switch deployable in ring,
mesh, or hierarchical topologies
• Simplified lightweight multicast edge solution
• Value aggregation with 1G fiber to the desktop (using
5420F-24S-4XE model)
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5420 Series Management
Q. Is an ExtremeCloud IQ Pilot license required to
select or change the 5420 Operating System (OS)?
No, the 5420 OS can be selected or modified using
ExtremeCloud IQ Connect, which does not require a
software license.
Q. Will the 5420 be fully manageable from
Extreme Management Center (XMC)?
Yes, the 5420 will be manageable from XMC with same
capabilities as currently provided for EXOS and VOSS
switch families. XMC, however, does not support the
selection or modification of the 5420 operating system.
Q. What about ExtremeCloud IQ Site Engine for
managing 5420 Series switches?
Yes, since ExtremeCloud IQ Site Engine is a rebranding of
XMC, it will also fully manage the 5420.
Q. Does the 5420 support the Enterprise Device
Manager (EDM) for GUI-based management of the
5420 switch when in VOSS mode?
Yes, the 5420 supports on-board graphical management via
Enterprise Device Manager when running VOSS.
5420 Series Hardware
Q. How many 5420 hardware models are available?
The 5420 Series consists of fourteen (14) models in total.
These include nine (9) 5420F Series models and five (5)
5420M Series models. Both 5420F and 5420M series
offer 24 and 48-port 1 Gigabit models, as well as models
with 1/2.5 multi-gigabit port options. All 5420 models also
include built-in stacking ports (for use with EXOS) as well
as either fixed 1/10 Gigabit or 1/10/25 Gigabit uplink ports.
Q. Why are there separate sets of 5420F and
5420M Series models?
5420F and 5420M models have been designed to address
a range of different price/feature points within the single
family. This enables 5420 buyers to select switch models
that best fit their feature needs and budget.
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Q. What are the main hardware differences
between 5420F and 5420M series models?
Key hardware differences are listed below:
Feature 5420F 5420M
Uplinks 4 x 1/10Gb fixed ports 4 x 1/10/25Gb fixed ports
PSUs 1 fixed/1 modular 2 modular
Fans Fixed fans Modular, removable fans
90W on some PoE 90W on all PoE models
90W PoE support
models and ports and ports
Q. What about software feature differences
between 5420F and 5420M models?
Software features are the same across 5420F and 5420M
models, although some scaling differences may exist
depending on feature. Please check the respective VOSS
and EXOS Release Notes for details.
Q. Is there a 5420 model available for fiber
distribution and/or fiber to the desktop?
Yes, a 5420F-24S-4XE model is available that provides
24 x 100Mb/1Gb (SFP) ports. This model can be used for
fiber distribution or fiber to the desktop applications.
Q. Do 5420 models require an optional
uplink module?
No. Uplink ports are all built into the 5420 hardware. An
optional uplink module is not provided nor is it required.
Q. Do the built-in 5420 uplinks support a mix of
data rates across the different ports?
Yes. Mixed port speeds are supported on all 5420 uplinks.
For example, on the 5420M, the 4 x 25Gb built-in uplinks can
be configured at 1Gb, 10Gb or 25Gb, with each uplink port
capable of being run at a different data rate. Similarly, on
the 5420F, uplinks can be configured at 1Gb or 10Gb rates.
Q: I see that the 5420 Series supports two
Universal/SFP-DD ports. What are these ports
and how can they be used?
The SFP-DD (or Small Form Factor Pluggable Double-
Density) standard is a recent specification for SFP-based
pluggable optical interfaces. It has the same physical
interface as SFP+, but can run at 20Gb, or double the 10Gb
SFP+ data rate of SFP+. It also can handle SFP+ interface
cables. On the 5420, these ports can be used either for
stacking with EXOS or as additional uplink ports.
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Q. Do 5420 units support stacking and how is Q. Will the 5420 support LRM (Long Reach
this done? Multimode) on any of its models?
Yes, the 5420 supports stacking when in EXOS mode. Yes, the 5420F-48P-4XL model supports LRM on its four
Stacking can be done using the 5420’s two Universal/SFP- (4) 10Gb SFP+ uplink ports. This is the model to consider
DD ports on the front panel. At 5420 market introduction, when deploying 5420 in environments that require or use
these ports support 10Gb/port stacking using SFP+ cables. LRM cabling.
In a future release, these ports will deliver 20Gb/port
stacking via SFP-DD cables. Q. Are any of Power Supplies (PSUs) for
the 5420 the same as those used in other
Q. Will SFP-DD cables be required to support ExtremeSwitching families?
20Gb/port stacking on the 5420?
No, 5420 PSUs are unique to the 5420 family. They cannot
Yes, SFP-DD cables are for 20Gb/port stacking. Ordering be shared or re-used across other ExtremeSwitching families.
details for these stacking cables is below. But as already
stated 10Gb stacking using SFP+ cables on the Universal/ 5420 Series Software Features
SFP-DD ports is supported at 5420 introduction.
and Licenses
Part # Description
20G-DACP-SFPDDZ5M SFP-DD to SFP-DD 0.5 Meters
Q. What are the initial EXOS and VOSS Releases
20G-DACP-SFPDD1M SFP-DD to SFP-DD 1 Meter
required for the 5420?
20G-DACP-SFPDD3M SFP-DD to SFP-DD 3 Meter EXOS 31.3 and VOSS 8.4 will be the initial (minimum) EXOS
20G-DACP-SFPDD5M SFP-DD to SFP-DD 5 Meter and VOSS releases for the 5420.

Q. Can 5420 EXOS models be cross stacked with Q: Does the 5420 Series support a DC power
the 5520? supply option?
No. The 5420 is only available with AC power
Yes, cross-stacking between the 5420 and 5520 is
supply options.
supported using 10Gb SFP+ cables. On the 5520, stacking
connection must be made to the VIM-4X interface module
Q. What are the key features supported on the
installed in the 5520.
5420 when running EXOS versus running VOSS?
Q. Can 5420 units be stacked when in VOSS mode? The table below is a quick cheat sheet listed key features
No, the 5420 is stackable only when in EXOS mode. But the supported on 5420 by each operating system:
5420 supports “Fabric Edge automation” in VOSS mode Feature ExtremeXOS VOSS
that simplifies 5420 Fabric Connect set-up to achieve a Comprehensive L2 Switching  
similar configuration result. IPv4/IPv6 Routing (RIP/OSPF/BGP)  
IP Multicast  
Q. Can I use the two integrated stacking SFP-DD
ExtremeCloud IQ manageable  
front-panel ports as uplinks, when they’re not
XMC and XIQ-SE manageable  
being used for stacking?
30W/60W/90W PoE  
Yes, these ports can be used as 10Gb when not stacking in Application Telemetry with sFlow  
EXOS mode. And in VOSS mode, they can also be used as 256-bit MACsec on all ports
 
uplinks – so long as the 5420 is not running Fabric Connect. w/MACsec license
When running Fabric Connect on the 5420 these ports are Fabric Attach  
unavailable. Native Fabric Connect (SPB) 
Fabric Extend 
Q. Will these 5420 stacking ports be capable of
Stacking 
operating as 20Gb uplinks in the future? Role-Based Policy 
Yes, but only with 5420M Series models in a future EXOS Audio Video Bridging 
release. 5420F Series models will remain limited to 10Gb Extended Edge Switching 
data rates when using SFP-DD ports as uplinks.

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Q. Does the 5420 support the full set of Fabric
Connect services when in VOSS mode?
Yes, the 5420 supports all key Fabric Connect services
when in VOSS mode. This includes Layer 2 and Layer 3
Virtual Service Networks (VSNs), Fabric Extend, IP Multicast
over Fabric Connect, IP Shortcuts and Fabric Attach Server.
Please note, however, that some Fabric features require
a Premier License to operate. Also note that the DVR
Controller feature is not supported on 5420 systems.
Q. What 5420 features require a Premier License?
For EXOS, a Premier License is required to run full scale
OSPF/BGP-4/IP Multicast, GRE Tunneling and EVPN. For
VOSS, a Premier License is required to run Layer 3 VSNs
and full scale OSPF and BGP. All other 5420-supported
features can be run with just the Base Software that comes
with the 5420. The exception is MACsec, which requires
purchase of a separate MACsec license.
Q. Can MACsec encryption (either 128 or 256-bit)
be run on any of the 5420 ports, including its
uplink ports?
Yes. MACsec will be supported on any of the 5420 ports,
including its uplink ports, as well as all fiber ports on the
5420F-24S-4XE model. The reason for this is that 5420
MACsec is handled by a MACsec engine embedded in the
5420 ASIC. This is unlike most other Extreme switches
where MACsec processing is tied to each physical port.
Q. Since MACsec is handled by an embedded ASIC
engine, is there a maximum MACsec throughput
on the 5420?
Yes, maximum MACsec throughput is 50Gbps bi-directional
across the 5420 switch. This includes 50Gbps encryption
and 50Gbps decryption.
Q. Are the 5420 Premier and MACsec licenses
transferable between 5420 units without any
additional cost or charge?
Yes, the Premier and MACsec licenses are fully transferable
between 5420 units. These licenses can be transferred
regardless of whether the 5420 is running EXOS or VOSS
without any additional cost.
Q. Can I also transfer Premier and MACsec
licenses between a 5520 and a 5420 system
without additional cost or charge?
Yes, 5000 Series Premier and MACsec licenses can be
transferred between any 5000 Series systems, including
today’s 5420 and 5520, as well as future 5000 Series family
switches. A single 5000 Series Premier and a single 5000
Series MACsec license have been created for this purpose.
Q. Will the 5420 support Audio Video
Bridging (AVB)?
Yes, AVB is supported on the 5420 when in EXOS mode.
And it will be included as part of the 5420 Base software,
so won’t require an additional software license.
Q. Will Extended Edge Switching (i.e., Controller
Bridge) functionality be available on the 5420?
Yes, it will be supported on the 5420 when in EXOS mode
and will be included in the 5420 Base software. “Ring
topology” support for Extended Edge, however, will not
initially supported on the 5420 and will be delivered with a
subsequent EXOS release.

Q. Is it possible to run a MACsec connection

between a 5420 running VOSS and a 5420
running the EXOS operating system?
No, this is not initially supported. It is a software roadmap
item for a future 5420-VOSS release.

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