DCS-7050TX-48-R Arista 4x 40GB QSFP+ Copper 32x 10GB B-F Airflow Switch

Arista 48-Ports QSFP+ Ethernet Switch

The Arista DCS-7050TX-48-R is a high-performance copper-based network switch designed for modern data centers and enterprise environments. With advanced connectivity options and reliable airflow design, it ensures seamless scalability and efficient packet forwarding.

General Details

• Brand: Arista
• Category: Network Switch
• Part Number: DCS-7050TX-48-R

Technical Specifications

Port Configuration

• 32x 10 Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 interfaces
• 4x 40 Gigabit Ethernet QSFP+ uplink connectors
• 1x Gigabit Ethernet management port

Performance Metrics

• Switching Capacity: 960 Gbps
• Forwarding Rate: 720 Mpps
• Latency: 3 microseconds
• Packet Buffer: 12MB

System Resources

• CPU: Quad-Core x86 processor
• Memory: 4GB DRAM
• Flash Storage: 4GB
• MAC Address Table: 32,000 entries
• VLAN Support: Up to 4096 IDs

Cooling and Power

Airflow Design

• Back-to-Front airflow for optimized cooling

Fan Modules

• 4x FAN-7000-R modules included

Power Supply Options

• 2x PWR-500AC-R units included (1+1 redundancy)
• Alternative option: PWR-500AC-F for front-to-back airflow

DCS-7050TX-48-R 48-Ports QSFP+ Ethernet Switch Overview

The Arista DCS-7050TX-48-R 4x 40GB QSFP+ Copper 32x 10GB B-F Airflow Switch category represents a class of high-performance, low-latency Ethernet switches designed specifically for enterprise data centers, cloud computing environments, and high-frequency trading infrastructures. This category focuses on fixed-configuration switches that deliver exceptional throughput, deterministic latency, and operational simplicity while supporting demanding workloads such as virtualization, big data analytics, and large-scale storage networks. Built around Arista’s advanced switching silicon and EOS architecture, these switches are engineered to meet the evolving requirements of modern east-west traffic patterns and software-defined networking models.

Within this category, the DCS-7050TX-48-R stands out as a copper-based 10 Gigabit Ethernet access and aggregation switch that provides seamless integration with 40 Gigabit uplinks. The design emphasizes flexibility, scalability, and efficiency, making it suitable for deployments that require high port density without compromising on performance or reliability. The category as a whole targets organizations that prioritize deterministic performance, deep visibility, and automation across their network infrastructure.

Port Density and Interface Flexibility

A defining characteristic of this category is the emphasis on high-density copper connectivity combined with high-speed uplink capabilities. The Arista DCS-7050TX-48-R configuration includes forty-eight 10 Gigabit Ethernet copper ports alongside four 40 Gigabit QSFP+ interfaces. This combination allows network architects to design access-layer or leaf-layer deployments that can directly connect servers, storage arrays, and other endpoints using cost-effective copper cabling while maintaining high-bandwidth uplinks to spine switches or aggregation layers.

The copper 10GBASE-T interfaces support auto-negotiation and backward compatibility with lower-speed Ethernet standards, which simplifies migration from legacy networks. This capability is particularly valuable in mixed environments where different generations of servers coexist. The QSFP+ ports provide the flexibility to operate as native 40 Gigabit connections or to be broken out into multiple 10 Gigabit interfaces using appropriate cabling, enabling scalable growth as bandwidth requirements increase.

Low-Latency Performance and Advanced Switching Architecture

Performance is a central theme in this category, and the Arista DCS-7050TX-48-R exemplifies this focus through its low-latency switching capabilities. Leveraging advanced merchant silicon and Arista’s optimized hardware design, these switches deliver microsecond-level latency that remains consistent even under heavy load. This deterministic behavior is essential for applications such as real-time analytics, financial trading platforms, and distributed databases.

The switching architecture is designed to handle large numbers of concurrent flows efficiently, with deep packet buffers and intelligent queue management. This ensures that bursty traffic patterns, which are common in virtualized and containerized environments, do not lead to packet loss or unpredictable delays. As part of this category, the switch supports cut-through forwarding where appropriate, further reducing latency for time-sensitive traffic.

Arista EOS and Software-Driven Networking

One of the most significant differentiators of this category is the integration of Arista EOS, a modular, extensible network operating system built on a modern Linux foundation. EOS provides a single image across the entire Arista product line, ensuring consistent behavior and simplified management regardless of hardware platform. For the DCS-7050TX-48-R category, this translates into reduced operational overhead and faster deployment times.

EOS is designed with programmability and automation in mind, offering a rich set of APIs and tools that allow network operators to integrate switching infrastructure into broader IT workflows. This capability is particularly important in environments that embrace DevOps practices, infrastructure as code, and continuous integration and deployment pipelines. By exposing network state and configuration through open interfaces, this category supports a higher level of operational agility.

Advanced Visibility and Telemetry

Visibility into network behavior is critical for maintaining performance and reliability. Switches in this category provide extensive telemetry and monitoring capabilities through EOS, enabling real-time insight into traffic patterns, latency, and resource utilization. Features such as streaming telemetry and granular counters allow operators to detect and diagnose issues before they impact applications.

This level of visibility is especially valuable in large-scale environments where traditional polling-based monitoring methods are insufficient. By leveraging real-time data, organizations can implement proactive network management strategies that improve uptime and user experience.

Airflow Design and Thermal Efficiency

The Arista DCS-7050TX-48-R category includes models with specific airflow configurations optimized for data center cooling strategies. The B-F airflow design indicates back-to-front cooling, which aligns with common hot aisle and cold aisle layouts. This attention to airflow direction ensures efficient heat dissipation and contributes to overall energy efficiency.

Thermal design is a critical consideration in high-density switching environments, where excessive heat can impact reliability and lifespan. Switches in this category are engineered with high-quality fans and optimized internal layouts to maintain stable operating temperatures even under sustained high loads. This focus on thermal efficiency supports continuous operation in demanding environments.

Support for Modern Networking Protocols

Switches within this category are designed to support a comprehensive set of Layer 2 and Layer 3 networking protocols, enabling flexible deployment across a wide range of use cases. The Arista DCS-7050TX-48-R supports advanced routing protocols, virtual LAN technologies, and overlay networking features that are essential for modern data center designs.

Support for protocols such as BGP, OSPF, and IS-IS allows these switches to participate in dynamic routing environments, while technologies like VXLAN enable scalable network virtualization. This versatility makes the category suitable for organizations transitioning to software-defined networking and cloud-native architectures.

Integration with Virtualized and Cloud Environments

As virtualization and cloud computing continue to shape IT infrastructure, the need for network devices that can seamlessly integrate with these environments has become paramount. The Arista DCS-7050TX-48-R category is designed with these requirements in mind, offering features that support multi-tenant environments, workload mobility, and dynamic provisioning.

By providing consistent network behavior and advanced automation capabilities, this category enables organizations to align their physical network infrastructure with the agility of virtualized workloads. This alignment reduces friction between networking and compute teams and accelerates the deployment of new services.