DCS-7260CX-64-R Arista 64x 100GB QSFP100 2x 10GB SFP+ B-F Air Switch

Overview of the Arista Switch

Modern enterprise networks demand cutting-edge performance, unparalleled reliability, and scalable solutions capable of handling immense data throughput. Our premium category of network switches is designed to fulfill these exact requirements, delivering exceptional speed, robust hardware specifications, and flexible management capabilities. These switches are ideal for data centers, cloud computing environments, and high-demand enterprise networks seeking resilient connectivity with minimal latency and maximum uptime.

Main Information

• Part: DCS-7260CX-64-R
• Brand: Arista
• Product Type: Switch

Key Features of Switch

• Network Ports: 64x 100 Gigabit Ethernet QSFP100
• Uplink Ports: 2x 10 Gigabit Ethernet SFP+
• Management Ports: 1x Gigabit Management, 1x RJ45 RS-232, 1x USB
• Switch Version: ARISTA EOS
• System Memory: 8 GB
• Airflow Direction: Back-to-front
• Fan Modules: 4x FAN-7002H-R included
• Power Supplies: 2x PWR-1900AC-R AC included
• Switching Capacity: 12.8 Tbps
• Forwarding Rate: 9.52 Bpps
• MAC Address Table Size: 136,000
• Max IPv4 LPM Routes: 128,000 (ALPM)
• Max IPv6 LPM Routes: 84,000 (ALPM)
• Max IPv4 Host Routes: 104,000
• VLANs Supported: 4096
• Packet Buffer: 64 MB (Dynamic Allocation)
• Latency: 550–1500 ns
• CPU: Dual-Core Intel i7 x86

Arista 100GB SFP+ B-F Air Data Center Switch

The Arista DCS-7260CX-64-R is a high-performance, ultra-low-latency 100GbE data center switch designed to meet the evolving demands of modern cloud, enterprise, and high-performance computing environments. Equipped with 64 x 100Gb QSFP100 ports and 2 x 10Gb SFP+ ports, this front-to-rear (B-F) airflow model delivers exceptional port density, high throughput, and advanced programmability in a compact 2RU form factor. Built to support next-generation leaf-spine architectures, large-scale virtualization, and high-bandwidth east-west traffic patterns, this switch provides the performance and flexibility required in today’s mission-critical infrastructures.

Designed for scalability and reliability, the DCS-7260CX-64-R enables seamless integration into spine, leaf, and core switching layers. With advanced Layer 2 and Layer 3 capabilities, deep buffers, and support for software-defined networking (SDN) environments, it ensures consistent performance across highly dynamic workloads. Whether deployed in hyperscale data centers, colocation facilities, financial trading networks, or enterprise core environments, this switch provides robust performance with enterprise-grade resilience.

High-Density 100GbE Connectivity

The defining feature of the DCS-7260CX-64-R is its 64 x 100Gb QSFP100 ports, delivering massive bandwidth capacity within a 2RU chassis. These QSFP100 interfaces can be deployed for native 100GbE connections or broken out into 4 x 25GbE connections per port, enabling highly flexible deployment options. This adaptability allows network architects to optimize port utilization and scale infrastructure efficiently as demand grows.

In spine-leaf architectures, the 100GbE interfaces support high-speed interconnects between leaf and spine switches, minimizing oversubscription and enabling predictable low-latency performance. In large-scale virtualization environments, the switch can aggregate traffic from dozens of servers equipped with 25GbE NICs, consolidating connectivity while maintaining optimal throughput and reliability.

The additional 2 x 10Gb SFP+ ports provide out-of-band management or supplemental connectivity for legacy devices, offering backward compatibility and operational flexibility. This combination of high-speed QSFP100 ports and 10Gb SFP+ interfaces ensures that the DCS-7260CX-64-R can seamlessly integrate into mixed-speed network environments.

Optimized for Spine-Leaf Architectures

Modern data centers increasingly rely on spine-leaf topologies to deliver predictable latency, simplified scaling, and high east-west bandwidth. The Arista DCS-7260CX-64-R is purpose-built to function as either a spine or high-capacity leaf switch, depending on deployment needs.

As a spine switch, it provides dense 100GbE connectivity to leaf switches, enabling non-blocking performance and consistent throughput across large-scale environments. Its high switching capacity ensures that even under peak load conditions, traffic flows remain stable and efficient. As a leaf switch, it can aggregate high-speed server connections and uplink traffic to spine switches without introducing bottlenecks.

The result is a scalable architecture that supports horizontal expansion. Organizations can add additional leaf or spine switches as needed without redesigning the network core, ensuring long-term investment protection and simplified operational management.

Front-to-Rear Airflow (B-F) for Efficient Cooling

The DCS-7260CX-64-R features a front-to-rear airflow configuration (B-F), designed for hot-aisle/cold-aisle data center deployments. This airflow pattern ensures efficient thermal management in high-density racks, reducing cooling costs and improving hardware longevity.

In large-scale data centers, consistent airflow direction across networking and compute equipment is essential for maintaining optimal temperature control. The B-F design aligns with common rack layouts, preventing heat recirculation and supporting sustainable data center operations. Efficient cooling directly contributes to improved reliability and reduced downtime, especially in environments operating at maximum capacity.

Ultra-Low Latency and High Throughput

Performance is critical in environments such as financial trading platforms, cloud service providers, and real-time analytics infrastructures. The Arista DCS-7260CX-64-R delivers ultra-low latency switching, ensuring minimal delay between packet ingress and egress. This low-latency architecture is ideal for latency-sensitive applications where microseconds can make a measurable difference.

With terabits of switching capacity, the platform supports high-throughput workloads, including big data processing, AI/ML clusters, storage replication, and content delivery networks. The hardware is engineered to maintain consistent performance even under sustained heavy traffic loads, ensuring network stability and application responsiveness.

Advanced Layer 2 and Layer 3 Capabilities

The DCS-7260CX-64-R supports comprehensive Layer 2 and Layer 3 features, making it suitable for core, aggregation, and data center interconnect roles. Advanced routing protocols, including OSPF, BGP, IS-IS, and static routing, allow seamless integration into complex network topologies. Enhanced Layer 2 features such as VLANs, MLAG, and link aggregation enable efficient traffic segmentation and redundancy.

Multi-Chassis Link Aggregation (MLAG) ensures active-active redundancy without spanning tree complexities, maximizing bandwidth utilization while providing high availability. These capabilities simplify network design and enhance fault tolerance, reducing the risk of single points of failure.

Scalability for Cloud and Virtualized Environments

Cloud computing and virtualization demand dynamic network scalability. The DCS-7260CX-64-R supports advanced virtualization technologies, including VXLAN and EVPN, enabling seamless network overlays and multi-tenant segmentation. These features are critical for cloud providers and enterprises deploying private or hybrid cloud infrastructures.

By supporting overlay networking, the switch enables flexible workload mobility across racks and data centers without requiring changes to the underlying physical network. This capability simplifies infrastructure expansion and accelerates application deployment cycles.

Software-Driven Architecture and Automation

Modern IT environments require automation and programmability. The DCS-7260CX-64-R operates on an advanced network operating system designed for consistency, extensibility, and automation. It supports open APIs, scripting, and integration with orchestration platforms, enabling automated provisioning and configuration management.

Network operators can leverage automation frameworks to deploy configurations at scale, enforce compliance policies, and reduce manual errors. Zero-touch provisioning (ZTP) capabilities streamline large deployments, making it easier to integrate new switches into existing infrastructures.

High Availability and Redundant Design

Reliability is a cornerstone of enterprise and cloud networking. The Arista DCS-7260CX-64-R features redundant, hot-swappable power supplies and fan modules, ensuring continuous operation during maintenance or hardware failures. This modular design minimizes downtime and supports uninterrupted service delivery.

Combined with advanced fault detection and monitoring capabilities, the switch enables proactive maintenance and rapid troubleshooting. Real-time telemetry provides visibility into network health, traffic patterns, and potential issues before they impact production workloads.

Deep Buffers and Congestion

High-performance data centers often encounter bursty traffic patterns and microbursts. The DCS-7260CX-64-R is engineered with deep packet buffers to absorb traffic spikes and maintain consistent performance. This feature is particularly valuable in storage networks, big data clusters, and cloud-scale applications where unpredictable traffic surges can occur.

Advanced congestion management mechanisms help prevent packet loss and ensure fair bandwidth allocation across workloads. By maintaining smooth traffic flow, the switch enhances application stability and user experience.

Energy Efficiency and Operational Savings

Despite its high port density and performance capabilities, the DCS-7260CX-64-R is designed for energy efficiency. Optimized hardware components and intelligent power management reduce overall power consumption, contributing to lower operational costs.

Efficient thermal design, combined with front-to-rear airflow, minimizes cooling requirements. For organizations operating large-scale data centers, these energy savings can translate into significant long-term cost reductions while supporting sustainability initiatives.

Hyperscale Data Centers

In hyperscale environments, high port density and scalability are essential. The 64 x 100Gb QSFP100 interfaces allow massive horizontal scaling, supporting thousands of servers across multiple racks with consistent, high-speed interconnectivity.

Enterprise Core Networks

Large enterprises can deploy the DCS-7260CX-64-R as a core or aggregation switch, consolidating traffic from distribution layers while maintaining robust routing and redundancy capabilities.

High-Frequency Trading

Ultra-low latency performance makes this switch suitable for financial trading networks where rapid data processing and minimal transmission delay are critical to operational success.

Cloud Service Providers

Public and private cloud providers benefit from overlay networking support, automation capabilities, and scalable bandwidth, enabling efficient multi-tenant environments with dynamic resource allocation.

Investment Protection and Future-Ready Infrastructure

The DCS-7260CX-64-R is engineered to accommodate future bandwidth growth and evolving application requirements. Its 100GbE architecture supports next-generation workloads, while flexible breakout options allow gradual migration from 10GbE and 25GbE infrastructures.

By investing in a high-density 100GbE platform, organizations can reduce the frequency of hardware refresh cycles and maintain compatibility with emerging technologies. This forward-looking approach ensures long-term infrastructure stability and cost efficiency.

Comprehensive Network Visibility and Telemetry

Advanced telemetry features provide granular insights into network performance, utilization, and health metrics. Streaming telemetry enables real-time analytics and integration with monitoring platforms, allowing operators to identify bottlenecks and optimize resource allocation.

Enhanced visibility improves capacity planning and accelerates troubleshooting, reducing mean time to resolution (MTTR) and ensuring continuous service delivery.

Security and Segmentation

Network security is strengthened through advanced access control lists (ACLs), secure management protocols, and support for network segmentation technologies. By isolating traffic between tenants, departments, or applications, organizations can reduce attack surfaces and enforce strict compliance requirements.

Secure management interfaces and encrypted communication channels protect configuration data and prevent unauthorized access, ensuring that critical network infrastructure remains safeguarded against evolving threats.

The Arista DCS-7260CX-64-R 64x 100Gb QSFP100 2x 10Gb SFP+ B-F Air Switch represents a powerful, scalable, and future-ready networking solution. Its combination of high-density connectivity, ultra-low latency, advanced routing capabilities, and energy-efficient design makes it an ideal choice for organizations seeking to modernize and scale their data center infrastructure while maintaining operational efficiency and reliability.