DCS-7050SX-64-F Arista 48x 10GB SFP Switch

Arista DCS-7050SX-64-F 48x 10GB Switch 

The Arista DCS-7050SX-64-F is a high-performance enterprise-grade network switch designed to deliver reliable connectivity, scalability, and efficiency for modern data centers.

Manufacturer Details

• Brand Name: Arista Networks
• Model Number: DCS-7050SX-64-F
• Category: Advanced Network Switch

Technical Highlights

Port Configuration

• 48x 10 Gigabit Ethernet SFP+ interfaces
• 4x 40 Gigabit Ethernet QSFP+ uplink ports
• Management Ports: 1x Gigabit RJ45 LAN, 1x RS-232 RJ45, 1x USB
• SFP Modules: Not included

Performance Metrics

• Switching Capacity: 1.28 Tbps
• Forwarding Rate: 960 Mpps
• Latency: 550 ns
• MAC Address Table: 32K Base Mode, 288K UFT Modes

Memory and Processing

• CPU: High-performance x86 architecture
• DRAM: Up to 8GB
• Flash Storage: 4GB

Cooling and Power

Airflow Management

• Front-to-Back Airflow for efficient cooling
• 4x FAN-7000-F modules included (N+1 redundancy)

Power Supply Options

• 2x PWR-500AC-F 500W AC power supplies included
• Alternative Option: PWR-500AC-R with B-F airflow

Advanced Features

Network Capabilities

• Supports up to 4096 VLAN IDs
• Packet Buffer: 12MB for optimized traffic handling

Scalability and Reliability

• Designed for enterprise-level workloads
• Redundant fan and power modules ensure uptime
• High-speed uplinks for seamless expansion

High-Performance Data Center Ethernet Switching Architecture

The Arista DCS-7050SX-64-F belongs to a specialized category of high-density, low-latency 10 Gigabit Ethernet switches designed for modern data center environments that demand predictable performance, scalability, and operational efficiency. This category focuses on fixed-configuration switches optimized for top-of-rack and end-of-row deployments where consistent throughput and minimal jitter are essential. Built on a non-blocking architecture, this class of switches enables simultaneous line-rate forwarding across all ports, ensuring that east-west traffic patterns common in virtualized and cloud-native workloads are handled without congestion.

Switches in this category are engineered for environments such as private clouds, enterprise data centers, service provider edge locations, and high-performance computing clusters. The emphasis is placed on deterministic latency, high port density, and seamless integration with automation frameworks. The Arista DCS-7050SX-64-F exemplifies these principles through its combination of 48 SFP+ 10GbE interfaces and 4 QSFP+ 40GbE uplinks, allowing flexible connectivity options for aggregation and core layers.

Fixed Configuration Switching for Scalable Network Design

Fixed configuration switches like the DCS-7050SX-64-F are a cornerstone of scalable leaf-spine architectures. Instead of modular chassis designs, this category prioritizes predictable performance and lower operational complexity by integrating all switching resources into a single compact unit. This approach simplifies cabling, reduces power consumption, and minimizes latency introduced by inter-module communication.

In leaf-spine topologies, these switches operate as leaf nodes connecting servers, storage arrays, and hypervisors, while higher-bandwidth QSFP+ ports serve as uplinks to spine switches. The consistent port layout and forwarding behavior allow network architects to design repeatable building blocks, which is critical for environments where rapid expansion and uniform performance are required.

Port Density and Interface Flexibility

The category represented by the Arista DCS-7050SX-64-F emphasizes high port density within a compact 1U form factor. With forty-eight 10GbE SFP+ ports, this switch supports dense server connectivity, making it suitable for racks populated with virtualization hosts or container platforms. The additional four 40GbE QSFP+ ports provide the bandwidth needed for uplinks, aggregation, or inter-switch links without sacrificing valuable rack space.

This interface mix allows organizations to deploy the switch in multiple roles, from top-of-rack access to leaf nodes in a spine-leaf fabric. The flexibility of SFP+ and QSFP+ optics ensures compatibility with a wide range of transceivers, enabling both short-reach and long-reach connectivity depending on data center layout and cabling strategy.

10 Gigabit Ethernet for Server and Storage Connectivity

Within this category, 10GbE remains a widely adopted standard for server access due to its balance of performance, cost, and power efficiency. The DCS-7050SX-64-F supports full line-rate forwarding on all 10GbE ports, ensuring that bandwidth-intensive applications such as virtualization, distributed databases, and software-defined storage platforms can operate without bottlenecks.

By leveraging SFP+ interfaces, this category of switches supports both copper and fiber connectivity options. This versatility allows data center operators to choose cabling that best fits their physical environment, whether deploying direct-attach copper for short distances or optical fiber for longer runs and improved signal integrity.

40 Gigabit Ethernet Uplinks for High-Bandwidth Aggregation

The inclusion of QSFP+ 40GbE ports reflects the category’s focus on scalable bandwidth aggregation. These uplinks are designed to connect to spine switches or core infrastructure, enabling high-throughput data flows between racks and across the data center fabric. The ability to aggregate multiple 10GbE connections into fewer high-capacity uplinks simplifies network design while maintaining performance.

This design approach supports modern traffic patterns where east-west communication between servers often exceeds north-south traffic. By providing ample uplink capacity, switches in this category help prevent oversubscription and ensure consistent application performance.

Low Latency and Deterministic Performance

A defining characteristic of the DCS-7050SX-64-F category is ultra-low latency switching. These switches are engineered to deliver predictable, microsecond-level latency across all ports, which is critical for applications such as financial trading, real-time analytics, and high-performance computing. Deterministic latency ensures that packet forwarding times remain consistent, reducing jitter and improving overall application responsiveness.

The non-blocking architecture ensures that every port can operate at full line rate simultaneously. This capability is essential in dense environments where traffic bursts can occur unpredictably, and any internal congestion could lead to packet loss or increased latency.

Non-Blocking Switching Fabric

The switching fabric within this category is designed to handle aggregate throughput without contention. By providing sufficient internal bandwidth, the switch can forward packets across all interfaces concurrently, maintaining performance even under peak load conditions. This design is particularly important in virtualized environments where multiple virtual machines may generate high traffic volumes simultaneously.

Non-blocking performance also simplifies capacity planning, as network architects can rely on consistent throughput without needing to account for internal oversubscription within the switch.

Consistent Latency Across All Ports

Consistency is as important as raw speed in many enterprise and service provider networks. Switches in this category are optimized to deliver uniform latency regardless of packet size or traffic pattern. This predictability is essential for time-sensitive applications and protocols that rely on precise timing.

By maintaining consistent forwarding behavior, the DCS-7050SX-64-F category supports advanced use cases such as storage replication, distributed computing frameworks, and latency-sensitive microservices architectures.

Front-to-Back Airflow and Thermal Design

The Arista DCS-7050SX-64-F is part of a category that emphasizes efficient thermal management through front-to-back airflow. This design aligns with standard data center hot-aisle and cold-aisle configurations, ensuring that cool air is drawn in from the front of the rack and exhausted out the rear. Proper airflow direction reduces the risk of hotspots and improves overall cooling efficiency.

Thermal efficiency is a critical consideration in dense data center environments, where power consumption and heat generation can significantly impact operational costs. By optimizing airflow, switches in this category help maintain stable operating temperatures while minimizing the load on cooling systems.

Optimized Cooling for High-Density Deployments

High port density and high throughput inevitably generate heat, making effective cooling essential. The front-to-back airflow design supports high-density deployments by ensuring that each component receives adequate cooling. This approach allows the switch to operate reliably even in environments with high ambient temperatures.

Efficient thermal design also contributes to hardware longevity, reducing the likelihood of component failure and extending the useful life of the switch.

Data Center Compatibility and Rack Integration

This category of switches is designed to integrate seamlessly into standard data center racks. The consistent airflow direction, compact form factor, and predictable power requirements make it easier to deploy and manage these devices at scale. Network operators can standardize on a single airflow model, simplifying inventory management and deployment processes.

Arista EOS and Network Operating System Capabilities

A defining aspect of the DCS-7050SX-64-F category is the use of Arista EOS, a robust network operating system designed for scalability, programmability, and operational simplicity. EOS provides a single binary image across the entire Arista product line, enabling consistent behavior and feature availability regardless of hardware platform.

This consistency simplifies network operations, as administrators can apply the same configurations, automation scripts, and management tools across multiple switches. EOS supports advanced routing, switching, and telemetry features, making it well suited for modern, software-defined networks.

Programmability and Automation

Programmability is a core requirement in contemporary data centers, and switches in this category are designed to integrate with automation frameworks. EOS exposes APIs and supports automation tools that enable configuration management, monitoring, and orchestration at scale. This capability reduces manual intervention and minimizes the risk of configuration errors.

Automation also supports rapid provisioning and scaling, allowing organizations to respond quickly to changing workload demands.

Advanced Telemetry and Visibility

Visibility into network performance is essential for maintaining reliability and optimizing resource utilization. The DCS-7050SX-64-F category supports advanced telemetry features that provide real-time insights into traffic patterns, latency, and congestion. This data enables proactive troubleshooting and informed decision-making.

By leveraging streaming telemetry, network operators can integrate switch data into analytics platforms, gaining deeper visibility into application behavior and network health.

Use Cases and Deployment Scenarios

The versatility of the Arista DCS-7050SX-64-F category makes it suitable for a wide range of deployment scenarios. From enterprise data centers to service provider environments, these switches provide the performance and reliability needed to support diverse workloads.

In private cloud deployments, the switch serves as a foundational building block for scalable network fabrics. Its low latency and high throughput support virtualization platforms and container orchestration systems, ensuring consistent application performance.

Enterprise Data Centers

Enterprise environments benefit from the predictable performance and operational simplicity offered by this category. The ability to standardize on a fixed-configuration switch with consistent features reduces complexity and simplifies network management. High port density allows organizations to maximize rack utilization while maintaining performance.

Cloud and Service Provider Networks

Service providers and cloud operators require scalable, automated infrastructure to support dynamic workloads. The DCS-7050SX-64-F category supports these requirements through programmability, telemetry, and high-bandwidth connectivity. Its role as a leaf switch in spine-leaf architectures enables horizontal scaling without sacrificing performance.