210-AYTP Dell Z9432f-on Networking 32P 400GBE Switch

Dell Z9432F-ON 210-AYTP 32-Port 400GbE Networking Switch Overview

The Dell Z9432F-ON (210-AYTP) networking switch is an advanced, high-density, 400GbE data center switch engineered for large-scale enterprise and cloud environments. Designed for spine-leaf topologies and high-throughput applications, this switch supports 32 ports of QSFP56-DD form factor capable of delivering 400 Gigabit Ethernet per port. It operates with the Dell OS10 Enterprise Edition, enabling robust automation, software-defined networking capabilities, and seamless integration into open networking environments. The unit includes dual AC power supplies for redundancy, ensuring consistent uptime. Note that rack mounts are not included with the switch and must be sourced separately.

400GbE Port Density and High-Speed Data Transmission

Offering 32 ports of 400GbE via QSFP56-DD, the Dell Z9432F-ON provides a total switching capacity of up to 12.8Tbps. Each port is capable of operating at full line rate, with support for backward compatibility and breakout modes such as 4x100GbE and 2x200GbE configurations. This makes the switch suitable for aggregation and core layers within modern, cloud-native infrastructures.

Flexible Connectivity Options

The Z9432F-ON supports multiple interface configurations to accommodate a wide range of networking scenarios. Its QSFP56-DD interfaces enable:

• Native 400GbE connections for high-throughput backbones
• Breakout to 4x100GbE for access layer compatibility
• Breakout to 2x200GbE for hybrid deployment environments

These flexible port options allow data centers to transition from legacy 100/200GbE networks to future-ready 400GbE infrastructures without compromising on performance or connectivity.

High Throughput and Low Latency Performance

Designed for latency-sensitive applications such as AI/ML workloads, real-time analytics, and financial trading systems, the Z9432F-ON switch boasts ultra-low latency architecture. It ensures minimal packet loss and consistent data flow under maximum network loads, thanks to its non-blocking fabric and deep packet buffer capabilities.

Non-Blocking Architecture

With full line-rate switching on all ports, the Z9432F-ON maintains non-blocking performance across its entire 12.8Tbps switching fabric. This is essential for ensuring consistent bandwidth allocation in high-traffic environments.

Software-Defined Networking with Dell OS10 Enterprise

Dell’s OS10 Enterprise Edition runs on the Z9432F-ON, providing a unified software stack that supports both traditional networking protocols and modern SDN features. Based on an open Linux kernel, OS10 allows for modular deployments and greater programmability through APIs and DevOps-friendly tools.

Advanced Layer 2 and Layer 3 Capabilities

• Support for standard Layer 2 protocols including STP, RSTP, MSTP, LACP
• Advanced Layer 3 routing such as OSPF, BGP, IS-IS, and VRF
• VXLAN support for network virtualization
• EVPN (Ethernet VPN) for scalable multi-tenant data center interconnects

Programmability and Automation

OS10 supports REST APIs, NETCONF/YANG, and Python scripting for network automation and orchestration. These tools empower IT teams to configure, monitor, and manage network resources programmatically, reducing manual errors and accelerating deployment cycles.

DevOps-Ready Tools

• Zero Touch Provisioning (ZTP)
• Ansible, Puppet, and Chef integration
• SNMPv3 and telemetry support for proactive monitoring

Open Networking and Multi-Vendor Ecosystem Compatibility

The Z9432F-ON is part of Dell’s Open Networking portfolio, designed to reduce vendor lock-in and support multi-vendor interoperability. It provides customers with the flexibility to deploy third-party software stacks or integrate with open-source tools while leveraging Dell’s robust hardware platform.

Benefits of Open Networking

• Freedom to choose software independent of hardware
• Integration with Open Compute Project (OCP) standards
• Lower total cost of ownership (TCO)
• Faster innovation cycles through software disaggregation

Vendor-Neutral Hardware Platform

The Z9432F-ON complies with industry standards for optics and cables, supporting a wide variety of transceivers from third-party vendors. This ensures cost-effective scalability without being tied to proprietary components.

Redundancy and Power Efficiency

With dual hot-swappable AC power supplies, the Z9432F-ON offers increased reliability and uptime, especially important in Tier 1 data center environments. Additionally, variable-speed fans optimize airflow and cooling, helping reduce power consumption under varying workloads.

Hot-Swappable Components

• Dual AC power modules for uninterrupted operation
• Redundant, hot-swappable fan trays
• Field-replaceable power supplies for minimal downtime

Energy-Efficient Operation

Despite its high-speed throughput and port density, the Z9432F-ON is engineered for energy-efficient performance, meeting strict data center energy compliance standards. This balance of performance and efficiency makes it a preferred choice for organizations pursuing sustainability goals.

Scalability for Modern Leaf-Spine Architectures

The Dell Z9432F-ON is optimized for deployment in leaf-spine network topologies, supporting rapid east-west traffic and scalable node expansion. Its 32x400GbE ports enable high-speed spine layer deployments capable of interconnecting hundreds of leaf switches.

Deployment Flexibility

• Ideal for spine roles in leaf-spine networks
• Core switching for high-bandwidth campus networks
• Aggregation layer in cloud-scale or enterprise environments

Future-Proofing Your Network

The 400GbE capabilities of the Z9432F-ON help future-proof data center investments, providing scalability for next-gen workloads, increased virtualization demands, and growing east-west traffic between virtual machines, containers, and services.

Physical Specifications and Environmental Considerations

The switch is housed in a 1U rack-mountable chassis for space efficiency in dense data center racks. Please note that rack mounting kits are not included with this SKU and must be acquired separately. Its front-to-back airflow ensures optimal cooling, particularly in hot/cold aisle containment systems.

Hardware Specifications

• Form Factor: 1RU
• Dimensions: 1.72” x 17.32” x 18.11” (H x W x D)
• Weight: Approximately 19.5 lbs (8.8 kg)
• Airflow: Front-to-back with variable speed fans

Environmental Compliance

• RoHS and WEEE compliant
• Operating temperature: 0°C to 45°C
• Storage temperature: -40°C to 70°C
• Humidity: 10% to 95% non-condensing

Use Cases and Industry Applications

The Dell Z9432F-ON is suitable for a broad spectrum of high-performance networking applications. From supporting high-frequency trading platforms to enabling AI/ML workloads in hyperscale environments, this switch is designed for environments where speed, reliability, and flexibility are paramount.

Common Deployment Scenarios

• Hyperscale cloud service providers
• Large enterprise data centers
• Research and academic computing environments
• Telecommunications and media streaming platforms

AI and Big Data Applications

The Z9432F-ON’s ultra-fast throughput and scalable design make it well-suited for machine learning and big data pipelines. These environments require fast east-west traffic and reliable performance under massive data movement, both of which the switch delivers consistently.

Security and Management Features

Dell OS10 integrates multiple layers of security to protect the switch from unauthorized access, configuration tampering, and DDoS attacks. The system supports encrypted protocols and offers role-based access controls (RBAC) for enterprise-grade security.

Secure Management Options

• SSH and HTTPS access
• Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
• AAA integration with TACACS+ and RADIUS
• Secure Boot and signed firmware
• Control plane policing

Telemetry and Analytics

Real-time telemetry provides network teams with insights into traffic patterns, fault analysis, and resource utilization. Streaming telemetry protocols enable integration with external network analytics platforms for proactive monitoring and decision-making.