Abstract

Enterasys Networks, Inc. commissioned The Tolly Group to evaluate the Layer 2 and Layer 3 interoperability of the X-Pedition ER16, version E8.1.0.0, an enterprise-scale, backbone switch. 

Enterasys Networks’ X-Pedition ER16 is presented in this Tolly evaluation as an enterprise-class backbone switch built for heterogeneous, multivendor networks where Layer 2 and Layer 3 interoperability is essential. Tested in July 2001 with firmware version E8.1.0.0, the switch was evaluated against nine third-party switches from six other infrastructure vendors in a broad set of interoperability scenarios covering both core Ethernet functions and dynamic routing protocols.  

In the mandatory test set, the X-Pedition ER16 successfully interoperated with all nine tested switches for Ethernet auto-negotiation, RIP version 1 and version 2 route exchange, and OSPF routing. These results indicate that the platform can negotiate common speed and duplex settings correctly and participate in dynamic IP route exchange across mixed-vendor environments. The report’s test summary tables on pages 1 and 2 show consistent pass results across these major interoperability categories.  

Optional testing extended the interoperability profile further. The ER16 passed Link Aggregation testing with all participating systems tested, demonstrated successful 802.1p/Q VLAN tagging and priority-frame forwarding with all nine peer switches, and supported Gigabit Ethernet uplinks across all tested vendors. It also exchanged IPX RIP routing information with eight switches and interoperated with eight switches in VRRP hot-standby testing; the exceptions were due to lack of support or lack of testing on the peer device rather than a failure of the ER16.  

The methodology used traffic-generation and analysis tools to validate real packet forwarding and protocol behavior, not just configuration compatibility. For example, Layer 2 tests used bidirectional 1,518-byte traffic streams, while link aggregation verified throughput above 200 Mbit/s across two aggregated full-duplex Fast Ethernet links. The report also cites vendor specifications of a 128 Gbit/s non-blocking switching fabric, 70 Mpps routing throughput, support for up to 120 Gigabit Ethernet ports or 480 10/100 ports, 4,096 VLANs, and extensive redundancy features. Overall, the evaluation positions the X-Pedition ER16 as a high-capacity switch with strong practical interoperability for mixed-vendor enterprise deployments.  

Other switches included in this test:

• Alcatel OmniCore 5000
• Alcatel OmniSwitch/Router
• Anritsu MultiFlow 5128
• Extreme Alpine 3808
• Extreme BlackDiamond 6808
• Extreme Summit48i
• Foundry BigIron 4000
• Marconi ESR-5000
• NEC BlueFire 730

Note: Enterasys Networks was formed in 2000 as a spin-off from Cabletron Systems. It was ultimately acquired by Extreme Networks in 2013.