Technical Details for Linksys SPS208G

Linksys SPS208G ... optimized for Multi-tenant Units (MTU) and Multi-Dwelling Units (MDU) where Triple Play (VoIP, Video, and Data) services are delivered by the service provider to multiple businesses or homes in close proximity.

The Linksys SPS208G Managed switch, with its combination of intelligence and small size, make it ideal for space-constrained environments where security and uptime are important. It offers a gigabit copper or pluggable SFP module for optional optical interface for connecting to the core network.

The SPS switches facilitate the delivery of multiple services over a layer 2 network with support for Q-in-Q. This allows customer VLANs to be kept separate across the service provider backbone. Also, for efficient delivery of multicast traffic (like video) to multiple customers, these switches provide support for a variation of MVR (Multicast VLAN Registration).

Network security is a primary concern for service providers, and the SPS family of switches delivers a number of advanced features that alleviates this concern. Support for Dynamic ARP Inspection eliminates the man-in-the-middle attack. IP Source Guard prevents a subscriber (or malicious user) from using an IP address not assigned to them. DHCP Guard eliminates rogue devices from behaving as a DHCP server. STP Root Guard prevents a rogue spanning tree device from advertising that it should be the root bridge thereby having the Spanning Tree network compromised by an outside device. Unauthorized access to the network is protected through 802.1X port and multi-session authentication and MAC Filtering / Port Security. 802.1X requires client to authenticate themselves before the port will pass data. An additional security feature is Access Control Lists (ACLs) which restrict network use to certain users, groups, or applications. Also, the SPS switches secure Management traffic with support for SSH, SSL, and SNMPv3.

The Management capabilities of the SPS switches include support for DHCP option 82, allowing for assignment of IP addresses to subscribers on the basis of where they connect to the network. Configuration of the switches can be performed through a Graphical User Interface or through a Command Line Interface (CLI). The switches also support SNMP for management from a Network Management station.