A 'Shore' Thing

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The SM-2601F stands guard between a server or protected switch/server combination and a router or switch. It offers the added benefit of management-forced switchover to the secondary path to allow for maintenance on the primary link's devices. If the switch that feeds your critical server on the primary link needs maintenance, you can force the SM-2601F to activate the backup link, which will then connect the server to another switch. The transition should be swift enough at the rated 30-ms failover speed that most of the protected server's network applications won't skip a beat, and the desired tasks can be carried out on your now-offline router. Want even more protection? Run the redundant leg to a completely different switch.

Protecting Your Links click to enlarge

You can order industry-standard LX (long haul) or SX (short haul) fiber interfaces as dictated by your topology, but fixed LC jacks are your only option for network connectivity. The protected server/router can use LC fiber or an RJ-45 gigabit port, and management is done through a simple 10-Mbps RJ-45 connection. A standard DB-9 console port, an alarm contact jack, well-thought-out indicators and a few control buttons round out the SM-2601F's user controls. A redundant power supply is available for greater reliability.

Simple Interface

Setup of the SM-2601F begins with console connection or BOOTP dynamic assignment of an IP address. There is no GUI, but the same staff members that work the network routers would likely configure this device, so the command-line approach should be easy. You can enable or turn off telnet service to the box for security and accomplish the overall device setup in minutes if you know your desired configuration before you fire up the unit.