Aerospace Enterprise Enhances Network Reliability and Business Continuity with FS MLAG Solution

The customer is a Dutch science and technology research organisation specializing in technology development for high-end manufacturing and aerospace, covering high performance computing, data processing and systems integration. Since 2019, the customer has established a partnership with FS and is using FS network equipment in several projects. As the business expands, the customer is placing higher demands on the high availability, reliability and maintainability of the network infrastructure.

To meet this challenge, the customer plans to upgrade the campus network architecture and optimise the configuration of core and edge devices to ensure the continuous stability of data transmission and collaboration for scientific research tasks. Based on the customer's needs, FS helps to build a more resilient and efficiently managed network architecture to support the stable development of its scientific research business.

The customer faced multiple challenges in building a highly available network architecture, mainly including the complex deployment of core layer redundancy, lagging response to equipment replacement, and insufficient technical capabilities of the internal team in troubleshooting and configuration management. The existing core equipment lacks perfect hardware redundancy, and network management is prone to performance bottlenecks; equipment configuration recovery still relies on manual operation, which is difficult to support rapid replacement needs.

In order to ensure business continuity and reduce operation and maintenance risks, the customer hopes to build a flexible, stable and easy-to-manage network system by introducing a more reliable hardware architecture, automated configuration mechanism and technical training services.

In response to customers' core requirements in network high availability construction, equipment replacement efficiency and operation and maintenance capability enhancement, FS provides a campus network solution with S5800-48F4SR Layer 3 switches as the core, and the overall solution focuses on three major directions: high availability architecture construction, rapid configuration and replacement support, and professional service guarantee.

At the core layer, two FS S5800-48F4SR switches are deployed, and MLAG (multi-chassis link aggregation) technology is used to build an active-active system. This is achieved through cross-device link aggregation, supporting smooth and uninterrupted migration of services during device upgrades or failures. The device supports dual AC power supply (1+1 redundancy) and hot-swap function to further protect power continuity. At the same time, it has ACL, 802.1X, AAA, port security and other security protocols to enhance network access control and authentication capabilities. In terms of network structure, terminals can be directly connected to the core layer to ensure non-dependent user access and enhance the stability and availability of the overall system.

In terms of device replacement and deployment, S5800-48F4SR supports configuration file import and export to achieve standardised and batch rapid deployment. Measured data show that under skilled operating conditions, full configuration recovery can be completed within ten minutes, significantly shortening the replacement cycle, effectively reducing the length of business interruptions, and improving overall operation and maintenance efficiency.

In response to the large number of optical modules and patch cords involved in the customer's deployment scenarios, FS provided a full set of compatible components: 12 SFP1G-SX-85 Gigabit optical modules per core switch for access layer interconnection, and 24 modules of the same type per edge switch, totaling 120 modules, to meet the demand for high-density access. In addition, the customer deployed 6 SFP-10GSR-85 10 Gigabit modules for high-speed link connectivity between the core equipment, and 5 Gigabit RJ45 interface SFP modules, SFP-GB-GE-T, to achieve flexible copper access. in order to guarantee the stability of the end-to-end fiber optic connection, the use of 40 pieces of 1-meter LC-LC OM4 cables and 10 pieces of 2-meter LC-LC OM4 cables effectively responded to different cabling scenarios to improve the efficiency of the deployment and signal stability.

At the service level, FS provides full-process remote configuration support and standard configuration documents to ensure that customers have a smooth landing in the deployment process. At the same time, FS provides systematic training services covering basic equipment operation and programme use to help customers' internal teams master daily operation and maintenance and troubleshooting capabilities. Through the collaborative delivery of services and training, customers can gradually realise the transformation from relying on external support to independent operation and maintenance.

By deploying FS S5800-48F4SR switches, the customer's network architecture realises the transition from traditional deployment to the highly available, flexible and scalable Core-Access structure. Dual AC power supplies achieve 1+1 redundancy and equipment availability is increased to 99.99%, significantly reducing the risk of business interruption due to power failures. redundancy protocols, such as MLAG, support second-order switching of services, so that even a single point of failure does not affect the continuity of the core business. The standardised, batch deployment mechanism enables core and edge equipment to complete full configuration recovery within ten minutes. By deploying 2 core switches, 120 optical modules and 50 patch cables, the campus network achieves high-density fiber access and high availability architecture.

FS professional services team provides 5×24 hours technical support and delivery training, effectively reducing customer operation and maintenance costs, and enhancing the local IT team's independent troubleshooting capabilities and system control.