DCS-7260QX-64-F Arista 40GbE QSFP+ 2x SFP+ 64 Ports Ethernet Switch

Overview of the Arista DCS-7260QX-64-F Ethernet Switch

The Arista DCS-7260QX-64-F is engineered for modern enterprise and hyperscale networking environments that demand exceptional throughput, reduced latency, and reliable Layer 3 switching functionality. Designed with 64 dedicated 40 Gigabit Ethernet QSFP+ interfaces, this high-performance Ethernet switch supports extensive east-west traffic patterns, cloud-scale applications, virtualization platforms, and bandwidth-intensive workloads.

Main Specifications

• Manufacturer: Arista
• Part Number: DCS-7260QX-64-F
• Product Type: 64 Ports Ethernet Switch

Technical Specifications

• 64 dedicated 40GbE QSFP+ network ports
• Optimized for high-throughput switching environments
• Supports large-scale virtualization infrastructures
• Switching Capacity: 5.12 Tbps for ultra-fast data transfers
• Forwarding Rate: 3.3 Bpps ensuring smooth packet handling
• Latency: 550 ns for near-instantaneous response times

Flexible Deployment Scenarios

• Leaf-spine data center topologies
• High-frequency trading infrastructures
• Virtualized server farms
• Cloud computing platforms
• Storage networking environments
• Large-scale enterprise core networks
• High-performance computing clusters

High Forwarding Rate for Intensive Workloads

• 3.3 Bpps forwarding capability
• Accelerated packet inspection and delivery
• Efficient handling of microburst traffic
• Reduced bottlenecks during heavy workloads
• Enhanced traffic distribution across high-speed links

Benefits of Low Latency Switching

• Faster server-to-server communication
• Improved application responsiveness
• Reduced transmission delays
• Enhanced user experience
• Lower congestion in high-speed environments
• Optimized cloud workload performance

Enhanced Network Expansion Capabilities

• Supports extensive endpoint connectivity
• Handles large virtual machine deployments
• Improves Layer 2 forwarding efficiency
• Reduces unknown unicast flooding
• Enhances network stability

Integrated Redundant AC Power Supplies

• 2x PWR-1100AC-F power supplies included
• Improved fault tolerance
• Enhanced infrastructure reliability
• Supports mission-critical operations
• Designed for enterprise continuity requirements

Performance for High-Bandwidth Applications

• Big data analytics
• Distributed storage systems
• High-resolution media processing
• Cloud-native applications
• Large database replication
• Enterprise backup environments

Efficient High-Speed Networking

• Scalable 40GbE connectivity
• Large switching fabric capacity
• Consistent forwarding performance
• Advanced thermal design
• Enterprise-class reliability

Arista DCS-7260QX-64-F 64-Port 40GbE Ethernet Switch

The Arista DCS-7260QX-64-F switch is engineered for high-density 40 Gigabit Ethernet environments that require advanced Layer 2 and Layer 3 functionality, low latency packet processing, and scalable cloud networking capabilities. Built within the Arista 7260X Series platform, this data center switch delivers exceptional throughput and consistent wire-speed performance for modern enterprise, virtualization, and hyperscale infrastructures. This Ethernet switch integrates sixty-four QSFP+ 40GbE interfaces along with dual SFP+ uplink ports, enabling flexible connectivity options for aggregation, spine, leaf, and core switching deployments. The front-to-rear airflow design improves thermal efficiency in structured rack environments where optimized cooling direction is critical for maintaining operational reliability.

High-Density 40GbE Deployment Capabilities

Large-scale data centers frequently demand extensive east-west traffic handling and low oversubscription ratios. The DCS-7260QX-64-F addresses these requirements with a dense arrangement of QSFP+ interfaces designed to support high-bandwidth traffic loads across cloud fabrics, clustered storage networks, and distributed computing environments. Each 40GbE QSFP+ interface can be deployed for native 40 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity or configured for breakout operation in environments requiring multiple lower-speed connections. This flexibility supports evolving network topologies while reducing infrastructure complexity and minimizing rack space utilization.

Scalable Spine-and-Leaf Networking

The switch platform is suitable for spine-and-leaf architectures where predictable latency and non-blocking throughput are essential. The switching fabric provides deterministic forwarding behavior for latency-sensitive applications including virtualization clusters, software-defined storage, and high-performance analytics workloads. In spine configurations, the switch delivers extensive fabric interconnectivity between leaf devices, enabling scalable horizontal expansion without introducing excessive bottlenecks. Within leaf deployments, the switch supports high-density server aggregation and rapid traffic forwarding between compute resources.

Advanced 7260X Series Switching Performance

The Arista 7260X family is designed to provide scalable throughput and efficient forwarding performance across enterprise and cloud networking environments. The DCS-7260QX-64-F integrates a high-capacity switching architecture capable of supporting intensive workloads with minimal latency impact. Its hardware acceleration mechanisms improve packet handling efficiency while maintaining reliable forwarding consistency across large-scale deployments. This architecture is particularly beneficial for organizations managing high transaction volumes, virtual machine mobility, and storage replication traffic.

Ultra-Low Latency Characteristics

Low latency performance is critical in high-frequency transactional systems, distributed computing platforms, and real-time application environments. The DCS-7260QX-64-F switch minimizes forwarding delays through optimized hardware pipelines and efficient packet processing methodologies. Reduced latency contributes to improved application responsiveness and better synchronization between interconnected compute resources.

Efficient Buffer Management

The switching platform includes sophisticated packet buffering technologies that help prevent congestion-related packet drops during peak utilization periods. Efficient buffer allocation improves network stability and enhances application availability during periods of intensive traffic demand. This buffering capability is valuable in storage area networking, virtualization environments, and converged infrastructures where sudden traffic bursts frequently occur.

Front-to-Rear Airflow Cooling Design

The front-to-rear airflow configuration is specifically designed for structured data center environments that rely on hot aisle and cold aisle cooling methodologies. This airflow orientation supports improved thermal management while enhancing operational efficiency across densely populated racks. By maintaining consistent cooling directionality, the switch helps reduce thermal hotspots and improves overall environmental control within enterprise server rooms and colocation facilities.

Thermal Optimization for Rack Deployments

High-density networking equipment generates substantial thermal output during continuous operation. The DCS-7260QX-64-F incorporates advanced thermal engineering to maintain stable operating temperatures while supporting full port utilization. The airflow architecture works effectively with standard enterprise cooling systems, improving airflow coordination throughout the rack infrastructure.

Reduced Cooling Overhead

Efficient airflow design contributes to lower cooling demands within the data center environment. Organizations deploying multiple high-density switches can benefit from improved thermal efficiency and reduced strain on facility cooling systems. Lower cooling overhead may contribute to operational cost savings while supporting environmentally conscious infrastructure strategies.

Reliable Continuous Operation

Maintaining stable operating temperatures is essential for long-term networking reliability. The switch cooling system is engineered to support sustained operation in mission-critical environments where uptime and consistent performance are mandatory. Continuous airflow optimization helps preserve hardware integrity and maintain predictable operational characteristics during intensive workloads.

Comprehensive Layer 2 Ethernet Features

The Arista DCS-7260QX-64-F includes extensive Layer 2 switching functionality suitable for enterprise aggregation, virtualization, and cloud networking deployments. Advanced Ethernet capabilities support scalable segmentation, efficient forwarding, and resilient traffic management. These features enable organizations to build flexible network architectures capable of adapting to evolving business requirements and expanding application workloads.

VLAN Segmentation

Virtual LAN functionality enables logical network segmentation across shared physical infrastructure. Administrators can isolate workloads, departments, tenants, or application groups to improve traffic organization and enhance operational flexibility. VLAN implementation simplifies network administration while supporting secure traffic separation within converged data center environments.

Advanced Trunking Capabilities

The switch supports high-capacity trunking configurations for transporting multiple VLANs across interconnected switches and aggregation layers. Trunking improves network scalability and simplifies connectivity between distributed infrastructure components. This functionality is especially beneficial in virtualized environments requiring extensive segmentation between application workloads and tenant services.

Link Aggregation Technology

Link aggregation improves bandwidth scalability and redundancy by combining multiple physical interfaces into a single logical connection. The DCS-7260QX-64-F supports aggregated uplinks that enhance throughput and improve network resiliency. Aggregated links help maintain traffic continuity in the event of individual interface failures while increasing available bandwidth between network segments.

Spanning Tree and Redundancy Mechanisms

Enterprise networking environments require resilient switching frameworks capable of minimizing downtime and maintaining stable forwarding paths. The switch supports spanning tree technologies that help prevent Layer 2 loops and optimize network convergence behavior. Rapid convergence characteristics improve failover performance and reduce disruption during topology changes or hardware maintenance events.

Layer 3 Routing and Data Center Networking

The DCS-7260QX-64-F switch incorporates advanced Layer 3 routing features designed to support scalable enterprise routing and cloud-scale network fabrics. These capabilities enable efficient inter-VLAN communication, dynamic route propagation, and optimized traffic distribution. Organizations can deploy the switch as part of collapsed core architectures, spine layers, or aggregation tiers requiring intelligent routing functionality.

Dynamic Routing Protocol

Support for dynamic routing protocols enables adaptive route management across complex network infrastructures. The switch can participate in enterprise routing environments where automated route exchange improves scalability and reduces manual configuration requirements. Dynamic routing improves network flexibility while enhancing resiliency during link failures or topology changes.

Virtualization and Cloud Infrastructure Optimization

Virtualized computing environments place substantial demands on network infrastructure due to dynamic workload movement, virtual machine migration, and intensive east-west traffic patterns. The DCS-7260QX-64-F is optimized to support these operational requirements. The switch integrates features that simplify cloud networking deployment while maintaining scalability for expanding virtualization platforms.

Virtual Machine Mobility

Live migration technologies require stable low-latency networking to maintain uninterrupted workload mobility between hypervisors. The switch provides the throughput and forwarding efficiency necessary for seamless virtual machine migration operations. Consistent bandwidth allocation and low packet loss characteristics improve migration reliability and reduce workload disruption.

Cloud-Scale Fabric Integration

The 7260X Series platform is designed to integrate efficiently into cloud-scale Ethernet fabrics supporting distributed applications and software-defined networking frameworks. Its architecture supports horizontal scalability and modular infrastructure expansion. Cloud operators benefit from simplified network scaling while maintaining predictable performance characteristics across large deployments.

Storage Traffic Optimization

Storage networking environments require reliable high-throughput communication between servers and storage arrays. The DCS-7260QX-64-F provides the bandwidth capacity necessary for storage replication, backup operations, and distributed file system communication. Efficient packet forwarding improves storage responsiveness while minimizing congestion during intensive data transfer operations.

Dual SFP+ Uplink Connectivity

In addition to the sixty-four QSFP+ interfaces, the switch includes dual SFP+ ports that provide flexible uplink and management connectivity options. These interfaces support integration into mixed-speed networking environments requiring additional aggregation flexibility. The SFP+ ports enable connectivity to management networks, legacy infrastructure segments, or dedicated service uplinks.

Flexible Network Integration

Organizations frequently operate hybrid networking environments that combine multiple interface speeds and connectivity standards. The dual SFP+ interfaces simplify integration with existing Ethernet infrastructure while supporting gradual network modernization initiatives. This flexibility allows administrators to implement phased upgrades without requiring immediate replacement of legacy networking components.

High-Speed Interconnectivity

SFP+ connectivity supports reliable high-speed communication between aggregation switches, routers, and management platforms. These interfaces help extend network reach while preserving throughput efficiency across interconnected infrastructure layers. Organizations deploying mixed-performance environments benefit from the versatility offered by integrated SFP+ support.

Enterprise Data Center Deployment Scenarios

The Arista DCS-7260QX-64-F is suitable for a broad range of enterprise and cloud networking environments that require scalable throughput, low latency, and advanced routing functionality. Its high-density design enables efficient deployment within space-constrained facilities. Enterprises implementing virtualization, cloud computing, storage networking, and application clustering can leverage the platform to improve operational scalability and infrastructure efficiency.

Cloud Service Provider Networks

Cloud service providers require highly scalable switching platforms capable of supporting multi-tenant environments and extensive east-west traffic flows. The DCS-7260QX-64-F delivers the density and performance required for these operational demands. Its scalable architecture supports rapid service expansion while maintaining consistent network responsiveness for hosted workloads.

Enterprise Core and Aggregation Layers

Large enterprises frequently deploy high-density switches within aggregation and core networking layers where reliable throughput and extensive connectivity are essential. The DCS-7260QX-64-F supports these requirements through its advanced switching architecture and Layer 3 capabilities. Aggregation deployments benefit from high port density while maintaining efficient traffic handling across converged enterprise infrastructures.

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure

Virtual desktop environments generate substantial network traffic between users, compute clusters, and centralized storage resources. The switch provides the bandwidth scalability necessary to support responsive virtual desktop delivery. Consistent low-latency forwarding improves user experience while maintaining stable connectivity across virtualized desktop platforms.