Description
Product Overview
The Alcatel IOM2-20G is a high-density 20-port Gigabit Ethernet switching module designed for Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise’s (now ALE International) OmniSwitch 6900 series modular chassis. As a critical line card in enterprise core/distribution layers, it delivers non-blocking Layer 2/Layer 3 performance with wire-speed switching capacity up to 480 Gbps. Engineered for scalability, the Alcatel IOM2-20G supports advanced features including unified stacking (up to 10 chassis), dynamic routing protocols (OSPF, BGP), and granular QoS for latency-sensitive applications. Its 20x 10/100/1000BASE-T copper ports with PoE+ readiness (models ending with -P support 30W per port) enable flexible deployment for IP phones, wireless APs, and access devices. The module integrates seamlessly with OmniSwitch chassis (e.g., OS6900-U24X), providing redundant management and power for mission-critical networks. The Alcatel IOM2-20G is a cornerstone for modern data centers, campus backbones, and converged networks demanding high throughput, low latency, and carrier-class reliability.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter Name | Parameter Value |
| Product Model | Alcatel IOM2-20G |
| Manufacturer | Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise (ALE International) |
| Product Type | Modular Gigabit Ethernet Switching Module |
| Port Configuration | 20x 10/100/1000BASE-T RJ-45 |
| Uplink Slots | 2x (for optional 10G modules like OS6900-UX4) |
| Switching Capacity | 480 Gbps (non-blocking) |
| Forwarding Rate | 357 Mpps |
| PoE Support | Non-PoE model (PoE+ variant: IOM2-20G-P) |
| Power Consumption | 55W max (non-PoE), 800W max (PoE+) |
| Compatible Chassis | OmniSwitch 6900-U24X, 6900-U48X, 6900-U72X |
| Operating Temperature | 0°C to 45°C (32°F to 113°F) |
| Protocols | IPv4/IPv6, OSPFv2/v3, BGP, VRF, MLAG |
| Management | CLI, Web GUI, ALE OmniVista |
| Compliance | IEEE 802.3ab/az, RoHS, CE, UL |
Alcatel IOM2-20G
Main Features and Advantages
Performance and Scalability: The Alcatel IOM2-20G delivers wire-speed switching across all 20 ports, eliminating bottlenecks for bandwidth-intensive applications. Its 480 Gbps fabric connectivity ensures seamless inter-module communication within the chassis. The module supports unified stacking via OmniSwitch Stack Fabric (OSSF), enabling simplified management of multi-chassis deployments as a single logical switch.
Advanced Networking Intelligence: Integrated Alcatel Operating System (AOS) supports dynamic routing (OSPF/BGP), VXLAN gateways for network virtualization, and policy-based QoS with eight hardware queues per port. This enables precise traffic prioritization for VoIP, video, and real-time applications.
Resilience and Security: Hitless failover is achieved through redundant management modules (MMs) and power supplies. Security features include MACsec encryption, ACLs with 4K entries, and role-based access control. The Alcatel IOM2-20G also offers comprehensive storm control and DHCP snooping to mitigate attacks.
Operational Efficiency: Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE) reduces power consumption by up to 50% during low traffic. Hot-swappable design allows zero-downtime module replacement. For PoE variants (IOM2-20G-P), per-port power budgeting ensures optimal device support.
Alcatel IOM2-20G
Application Field
The Alcatel IOM2-20G excels in enterprise and service provider environments requiring high-density Gigabit access with robust uplinks. In campus networks, it serves as a distribution layer switch, aggregating traffic from access switches while providing PoE+ to wireless APs and IP phones across buildings. For data centers, it acts as a top-of-rack (ToR) module within the OS6900 chassis, connecting servers and storage with low-latency 10G uplinks.
Healthcare facilities leverage its QoS capabilities to prioritize medical imaging traffic and EHR systems, while education institutions use it for high-bandwidth lecture hall deployments. The Alcatel IOM2-20G is also ideal for industrial campuses requiring hardened switching (0°C operation) with advanced security for SCADA networks. Its stacking capability makes it suitable for municipal networks requiring scalable core infrastructure across dispersed locations.
Related Products
OmniSwitch 6900-U24X: 24-slot chassis for hosting IOM2-20G modules.
Alcatel IOM2-24X: 24-port 10G SFP+ module for high-speed aggregation.
Alcatel OS6900-UX4: 4-port 10GbE uplink module for IOM2-20G.
Alcatel MM-10: Management Module for OS6900 chassis control.
Alcatel PS-1AC-1.3KW: 1300W AC power supply for chassis redundancy.
Alcatel IOM2-20G-P: PoE+ variant of the same module (30W/port).
OmniSwitch 6860: Fixed-configuration stackable switch complementing modular deployments.
OmniVista 2500 NMS: Centralized management suite for monitoring IOM2-20G performance.
Installation and Maintenance
Pre-installation preparation: Verify chassis compatibility and available slot. Ground the chassis and ensure redundant power supplies are installed. Prepare electrostatic discharge (ESD) wrist strap. Have AOS firmware and configuration files ready. For PoE models, confirm power budget adequacy.
Maintenance recommendations: Monitor module status via OmniVista’s dashboard, tracking temperature, fan health, and port errors. Schedule periodic firmware updates during maintenance windows using ALE’s validated releases. Clean air filters quarterly in dusty environments. For module replacement, use the chassis ejector levers and handle the Alcatel IOM2-20G by its edges only. Maintain configuration backups using OmniVista’s automated archiving.
Product Guarantee
ALE International provides a lifetime hardware warranty for the Alcatel IOM2-20G, covering defects in materials and workmanship for the product’s operational life. This includes next-business-day (NBD) advance hardware replacement for critical failures. Global technical support offers 24/7 assistance for configuration, troubleshooting, and firmware updates through ALE’s Network Services Platform (NSP). Software updates are accessible via the ALE support portal, ensuring continuous feature enhancements and security patches for the Alcatel IOM2-20G throughout its deployment lifecycle.
