DCS-7260QX-64-R Arista 7260X 64x40GbE QSFP+2xSFP+ 2 RU Switch

Overview of the Arista Switch

Experience enterprise-grade performance with a versatile network switch designed for modern data centers and high-throughput environments. This robust solution combines exceptional port density, advanced routing features, and resilient hardware to meet the demands of large-scale networks.

Main Information

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

Technical Specifications

• 64 x 40GbE QSFP+ ports
• 2 x SFP+ ports
• 2RU form factor
• Rear-to-front airflow (R model)
• Wire-speed Layer 2 and Layer 3 forwarding
• VXLAN and network virtualization support
• Redundant, hot-swappable power supplies
• Advanced routing protocol support
• Deep packet buffers for traffic burst handling
• Comprehensive QoS and ACL capabilities

Arista 7260X 64x40GbE QSFP+ 2xSFP+ 2RU Switch 

The Arista DCS-7260QX-64-R 7260X 64x40GbE QSFP+ 2xSFP+ 2RU Switch is a high-performance, low-latency data center switching platform purpose-built for modern cloud networking, high-performance computing environments, enterprise data centers, and large-scale virtualization infrastructures. Designed to deliver exceptional throughput and advanced Layer 2 and Layer 3 capabilities, this 2RU switch provides 64 high-density 40GbE QSFP+ ports and 2 additional SFP+ ports for flexible connectivity and uplink configurations. It combines scalability, programmability, and resilience in a compact form factor optimized for spine-leaf and top-of-rack deployments.

Engineered to meet the demands of bandwidth-intensive applications, east-west traffic patterns, and distributed architectures, the DCS-7260QX-64-R supports massive data forwarding capacity while maintaining predictable and ultra-low latency performance. It is particularly well suited for hyperscale environments, financial trading networks, virtualization clusters, private and public cloud fabrics, and data-intensive research environments where network consistency and speed are mission-critical.

High-Density 40GbE Connectivity

With 64 QSFP+ 40GbE ports, the Arista DCS-7260QX-64-R delivers exceptional port density within a 2RU chassis. Each QSFP+ interface supports 40 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity and can be used for high-speed server aggregation, inter-switch links, or spine connections. The dense configuration allows organizations to maximize rack space efficiency while significantly reducing the number of devices required to achieve large-scale connectivity.

The addition of 2 SFP+ ports enables flexible management connectivity or lower-speed uplinks, offering integration options with existing 10GbE infrastructures. This hybrid port arrangement makes the 7260X platform adaptable for both greenfield deployments and phased network upgrades.

By supporting breakout capabilities, QSFP+ ports can be configured for multiple 10GbE connections when needed, allowing network architects to tailor port usage according to evolving workload demands. This flexibility ensures long-term value and adaptability in rapidly changing IT environments.

Optimized for Spine-Leaf Architectures

Modern data centers rely on spine-leaf topologies to provide predictable latency and scalable east-west traffic flow. The DCS-7260QX-64-R is designed to function as either a spine or leaf switch, depending on network design requirements. As a spine switch, it provides high-bandwidth aggregation between leaf switches. As a leaf switch, it connects servers and storage systems while maintaining fast uplink paths to the spine layer.

Its high throughput capacity and non-blocking architecture ensure consistent performance even under heavy traffic loads. The switch supports equal-cost multi-path routing (ECMP), enabling efficient load balancing across multiple links and eliminating bottlenecks in large-scale network fabrics.

This architectural flexibility makes the 7260X 64x40GbE model ideal for hyper-converged infrastructure, distributed computing clusters, and containerized application platforms that require scalable, high-speed interconnectivity.

Advanced Layer 2 and Layer 3 Features

The Arista DCS-7260QX-64-R supports comprehensive Layer 2 and Layer 3 switching capabilities, providing enterprises and cloud providers with robust network segmentation, routing, and traffic management tools. Standard Layer 2 features include VLAN support, link aggregation (LACP), spanning tree protocols, and jumbo frame support for enhanced data transfer efficiency.

At Layer 3, the switch supports advanced routing protocols such as OSPF, BGP, IS-IS, and static routing, enabling seamless integration into complex enterprise and service provider networks. Its routing performance allows it to handle large routing tables and dynamic traffic conditions without performance degradation.

The platform also supports multicast routing, IPv4 and IPv6 dual-stack configurations, and advanced access control lists (ACLs) for granular traffic filtering and security enforcement. These capabilities make it suitable for multi-tenant environments and highly segmented network infrastructures.

Ultra-Low Latency and High Throughput Performance

Performance is a defining characteristic of the 7260X series. The DCS-7260QX-64-R delivers wire-speed forwarding across all ports, ensuring minimal packet loss and consistently low latency. This performance profile is critical for environments such as financial trading platforms, high-frequency analytics, real-time media processing, and distributed databases.

The switch architecture is optimized for predictable latency across varying packet sizes. This ensures that latency-sensitive applications maintain consistent performance even under peak loads. The high switching capacity allows organizations to scale workloads without re-architecting the network core.

Combined with deep packet buffers, the switch can handle microbursts and sudden traffic spikes, reducing the likelihood of congestion and packet drops in highly dynamic traffic environments.

Scalable Data Center Fabric Integration

Scalability is central to the design of the Arista DCS-7260QX-64-R. It integrates seamlessly into automated data center fabrics, supporting technologies that enable large-scale Layer 2 and Layer 3 network virtualization. VXLAN support enables the extension of Layer 2 networks across Layer 3 boundaries, facilitating multi-tenant cloud environments and geographically distributed data centers.

The switch supports automation frameworks and open APIs, enabling integration with orchestration platforms and software-defined networking (SDN) controllers. This programmability simplifies network provisioning, reduces manual configuration errors, and accelerates deployment cycles.

By supporting advanced telemetry and real-time monitoring features, the 7260X platform provides network operators with granular visibility into traffic flows, performance metrics, and operational status.

Redundant Power and Cooling Design

The DCS-7260QX-64-R model features a rear-to-front airflow design optimized for data center rack layouts. Its redundant power supplies and hot-swappable fan modules ensure high availability and minimal downtime. In mission-critical environments, hardware redundancy is essential to maintaining continuous service delivery.

The hot-swappable components allow maintenance or replacement without disrupting network operations. This design approach reduces operational risk and supports 24/7 data center uptime requirements.

Efficient power consumption and thermal management contribute to reduced operational costs and improved environmental sustainability.

Cloud Networking and Virtualization Support

Cloud computing environments demand network platforms capable of supporting dynamic workloads, multi-tenancy, and rapid provisioning. The Arista DCS-7260QX-64-R is designed with these requirements in mind. Its support for virtualization overlays, network segmentation, and programmable interfaces enables seamless deployment in private, public, and hybrid cloud infrastructures.

Integration with virtualization platforms allows administrators to automate network configuration changes in response to virtual machine lifecycle events. This ensures consistent policy enforcement and connectivity across distributed workloads.

The switch’s high bandwidth capacity supports storage networking, virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI), and container orchestration platforms, ensuring performance consistency across a wide range of cloud-native applications.

Security and Traffic Control Capabilities

Security is integral to modern network design. The 7260X 64x40GbE switch supports advanced access control lists, control plane policing, port security, and role-based access control. These features help protect against unauthorized access and network-based attacks.

The platform supports secure management protocols, including SSH and SNMPv3, ensuring encrypted communication for administrative access. Logging and monitoring capabilities enable proactive threat detection and compliance reporting.

Traffic shaping and quality of service (QoS) mechanisms allow administrators to prioritize latency-sensitive applications, ensuring consistent performance for critical services.

Enterprise Data Center Applications

In enterprise environments, the Arista DCS-7260QX-64-R serves as a backbone for application delivery, database replication, backup systems, and unified communications. Its high port density enables efficient server aggregation while maintaining headroom for growth.

Enterprises deploying virtualization clusters benefit from the switch’s ability to handle dense east-west traffic patterns generated by virtual machine migrations and distributed application workloads.

The 2RU form factor balances space efficiency with high performance, making it suitable for mid-sized to large enterprise data centers seeking scalable 40GbE connectivity.

High-Performance Computing and Research Networks

High-performance computing (HPC) clusters require low-latency, high-bandwidth interconnects to support parallel processing workloads. The DCS-7260QX-64-R meets these requirements with its wire-speed forwarding and deep buffering capabilities.

Research institutions, scientific laboratories, and data analytics platforms benefit from the switch’s ability to handle large data transfers between compute nodes and storage arrays. Its scalable architecture ensures consistent performance across compute-intensive tasks.

The switch’s support for jumbo frames and advanced routing enhances efficiency in large-scale data processing environments.

Future-Ready Networking Investment

Investing in the Arista DCS-7260QX-64-R provides long-term value through scalability, programmability, and high port density. As bandwidth requirements continue to grow, organizations can leverage its breakout capabilities and flexible port configurations to adapt without immediate hardware replacement.

Its robust hardware architecture and comprehensive software features position it as a forward-looking solution for evolving data center demands. Whether deployed in enterprise networks, cloud fabrics, or high-performance computing clusters, the 7260X platform delivers the performance and reliability required for next-generation infrastructure.

The Arista DCS-7260QX-64-R 7260X 64x40GbE QSFP+ 2xSFP+ 2RU Switch represents a powerful combination of performance, scalability, and operational efficiency. Its dense 40GbE connectivity, advanced routing capabilities, programmable architecture, and resilient hardware design make it an ideal solution for organizations building high-performance, future-ready data center networks.