The xStack® DES-3528 by D-Link is a high-performance, managed, stackable Layer 2 switch that provides an ideal solution for workgroups and edge deployments of a network. The D-Link Single IP Management (SIM) allows administrators to cluster up a virtual stack of up to 32 DES-3528 dispersed switches with fewer distance limitations through a single IP address. The clustering environment spans buildings, making it perfect for businesses that require multiple building deployments. The DES-3528 also supports physical stacking of up to 8 units in a stack, so that the entire stack can act as a single logical unit with up to 4Gbps of stacking backplane. The xStack switch also provides comprehensive security for edge access such as Access Control List, DHCP server screening and DoS attack prevention.

Non-Blocking Switching
The DES-3528 provides a non-blocking switching solution for 10/100 Fast Ethernet connections. The DES-3528 supports 24 10/100Mbps ports, with 4 gigabit 10/100/1000BASE-T ports. Two of these gigabit copper ports are disabled when the two 1000BASE-X SFP are used, also known as dual personality or combo ports. The DES-3528 has a non-blocking bandwidth of 12.8Gbps; the xStack switch has a redundant power option for mission critical applications.

Advanced Network Security
For edge network security, the DES-3528 supports DHCP server screening, client filtering, and IP-MAC-Port Binding to prevent security breaches such as rogue DHCP server, man-in-the-middle attacks and IP spoofing. For clients with XP SP3, Vista, or servers with Microsoft’s Server 2008, DES-3528 works in conjunction with Microsoft’s Network Access Protection (NAP) as part of an ecosystem that enforces compliance with network health policies. The xStack switch will grant network host access only if it complies with IT security policies such as up-to-date anti-virus signatures and operating system patches. This prevents a virus-infested client or server from gaining access and further contamination.

The xStack switch also supports loopback detection, which detects a loop in the network even though the end device causing the loop is without spanning tree. When the switch detects a loop is in the connected node, the DES-3528 shuts down the port with the loop so that the entire system will continue to function normally. This feature can also be VLAN based.

The DES-3528 incorporates advanced mechanisms to detect an attack against the switch’s central processing unit and to take corrective action on the attacking interface. When a Denial of Service attack is waged against the xStack switch, the D-Link Safeguard Engine detects the threat and prevents overload of the central processor thus insuring network integrity and helping to maintain open network bandwidth channels.

In addition, the DES-3528 supports 802.1x authentication, which securly allow users to log onto your network. When used in conjunction with a RADIUS server, 802.1x requires each user workstation attached to the xStack switches to provide a username and password before gaining access to the network. Web-based authentication option is available for those clients who may not have the 802.1x supplicant, while MAC-based authentication can make the authentication process automatically, authenticated by the 802.1x server based on the client’s MAC address. Other security features include access control list, which an administrator can restrict the access of a network through a variety of means including MAC address, IP, UDP/TCP, and even VLAN ID.

IP Clustering Stackable
The xStack DES-3528 provides D-Link Single IP Management Technology (SIM), allowing a set of switches to be managed by a single IP, regardless of geographical locations. Traffic running among units in this virtual stack is through the full-duplex Gigabit interfaces and your usual network wires, doing away with the costly and cumbersome stacking cables. Without any stacking cable, cable distance barrier and physical stacking limitations, your stack can comprise units that are located anywhere on the network, minimizing the impact of any single point of failure. Furthermore, multiple xStack switches can be configured, monitored and maintained from any workstation running a web browser through one unique IP address. The stack is managed as a single object, with all units identified by a single IP address. With Tree View, you can obtain and overview of the members of the stack and a network topology showing the locations of the units and their link information. This provides simple yet powerful web-based management without expensive SNMP network management software. You can add up to 32 switches per stack not limited to any specific D-Link models. With embedded SIM, you can expand your Ethernet stack to include L3 core Gigabit and chassis based switches to accommodate your network growth.

Voice and Video Applications
For today’s businesses, having voice, data and video on the same network is common practice. This challenge is met by the DES-3528, which supports 802.1p with 8 queues. The administrator can designate the priority of the traffic based on a variety of means including IP or MAC address, so that voice data is always clear and jitter free. Video traffic can also be assigned with the same priority. In addition, the switch provides IGMP Snooping or MLD snooping, which allows the forwarding of multicast packets such as streaming audio and video, without increasing network broadcast congestion. By snooping IGMP registration information within a frame, a list of workstations in the multicast group is created. This list then allows the switch to intelligently forward packets to only the appropriate member workstations. In conjunction with the 802.1Q VLANs, Quality of Service and security can be achieved on a network infused with data traffic.

For other multimedia-on-demand applications, such as IPTV deployments, the DES-3528 provides advanced features for easy video streaming management. For example, this xStack family supports per port multicast stream control, which allows a service provider to assign limited multicast addresses per port. This means it can act as a security control that pre-configures channels for each subscriber on a port level to prevent unauthorized multicast join. DES-3528 also supports IGMP multicast VLAN, which eliminates duplicate multicast traffic being sent to clients in different VLANs and thus removing bottlenecks in the uplink port.

Ease of Management
The DES-3528 supports SNMP v1/2/3 so traps can be set on abnormal events and information can be polled to maximize the productivity of the network. Other standard management features are also supported including RMON and IEEE 802.1d/w/s spanning tree, User interface includes intuitive web-based browser graphic interface or industry-standard CLI, either administration traffic can be protected thru SSL or SSH encryptions.