brocade fcx series switches frequently asked questions

Q Can PoE and non-PoE Brocade FCX switches be mixed in a stack?A Yes. Brocade IronStack technology provides the flexibility to mix-and-match PoE and non-PoE Brocade FCX switches in a single stack.Q Can fiber and copper versions of Brocade FCX switches be mixed in a stack?A Yes. IronStack technology provides the flexibility to mix and match the Brocade FCX24S-F with other members of the Brocade FCX Series. This provides a convenient way toadd fiber ports to a Brocade FCX stack for distance extension and for deploying fiber tothe desktop.Q Can Brocade FCX-S and Brocade FCX models be mixed in a stack?A Yes. Brocade FCX models with and without dedicated stacking ports can be stackedtogether. To stack Brocade FCX-S and Brocade FCX models together, the 10 GbE portsmust be used on all switches.Q Can Brocade FCX Series switches be stacked with Brocade ICX 6430, 6450, and 6610Switches?A Brocade FCX Series and Brocade ICX 6430, 6450, and 6610 Switches are all built todeliver Brocade HyperEdge technology, which is planned to be available for purchase asa software option in the first half of 2013. HyperEdge technology features—includingsingle-IP network lifecycle management and mixed stacking—will be rolled out in a timephasedapproach on the various HyperEdge-ready platforms. Closer to the date ofavailability, Brocade will provide more details on the exact mixed stack combinationsthat will be supported in the first release.Q Will Brocade FCX Series switches support HyperEdge single-IP network lifecyclemanagement?A Brocade FCX Series and Brocade ICX 6430, 6450, and 6610 Switches are all built todeliver Brocade HyperEdge technology, which is planned to be available for purchase asa software option in the first half of 2013. HyperEdge technology features—includingsingle-IP network lifecycle management and mixed stacking—will be rolled out in a timephasedapproach on the various HyperEdge-ready platforms. Closer to the date ofavailability, Brocade will provide more details on the exact feature and platformcombinations that will be supported in the first release.Q What is Brocade HyperEdge technology?A Brocade HyperEdge technology for campus LANs helps IT organizations automatenetwork lifecycle management and share services across premium and entry-levelswitches, enabling them to reduce complexity and costs while protecting theirinvestments. HyperEdge technology allows IT organizations to automatically pushpolicies, firmware upgrades, and configuration changes across the entire campus once,from a single point of management. In addition, it allows mixing and matching ofdifferent classes of switches within a single stack, propagating features and enabling allswitches in the stack to benefit from the capabilities of premium switches.HyperEdge technology is planned to be available for purchase (as a software license forthe Brocade FCX Series and the Brocade ICX product family) in the first half of 2013.4 of 8