DCS-7280QRA-C36S-M-Arista R36X40GBE QSFP+ 12x100GBE Router Switch

The Arista DCS-7280QRA-C36S-M-R36X40GBE QSFP+ Switch

The Arista DCS-7280QRA-C36S-M-R36X40GBE QSFP+ 40GBE 12x100GBE Router Switch category represents a high-performance data center networking solution built for modern cloud-scale environments, enterprise cores, service provider networks, and high-density virtualization infrastructures. Designed to support ultra-fast data transfer, deep buffering, and scalable routing capabilities, this switch family delivers exceptional throughput, low latency, and advanced Layer 2 and Layer 3 functionality.

This category includes models equipped with 36 x 40GbE QSFP+ ports and 12 x 100GbE uplink ports, providing flexible deployment options for spine-leaf architectures, aggregation layers, and high-bandwidth compute clusters. With modular airflow options and redundant components, the platform ensures reliability, scalability, and operational continuity in mission-critical environments.

High-Density 40GbE and 100GbE Connectivity

The 36 QSFP+ 40GbE ports provide dense connectivity for top-of-rack (ToR) or end-of-row (EoR) deployments. Each QSFP+ interface supports high-speed data transfer suitable for virtualization hosts, storage systems, and high-performance computing clusters. These ports can be used for native 40GbE connections or broken out into 4x10GbE links for flexible connectivity options.

Breakout Capabilities

Breakout functionality allows organizations to maximize port utilization by converting a single 40GbE port into four independent 10GbE connections. This enables seamless integration with legacy 10GbE devices while maintaining investment protection and scalability.

High Port Density for Cloud Environments

In hyperscale and cloud data centers, high port density reduces rack space requirements while increasing bandwidth per rack unit. The 36 x 40GbE configuration supports dense server deployments, high-bandwidth east-west traffic, and virtualization clusters with demanding throughput requirements.

12 x 100GbE

The 12 x 100GbE ports provide high-capacity uplinks for spine connectivity, core aggregation, and inter-data center links. These ports support massive throughput requirements and ensure that traffic from 40GbE leaf connections is efficiently aggregated without bottlenecks.

Data Center Interconnect (DCI)

The 100GbE ports are ideal for high-speed data center interconnect scenarios, enabling low-latency replication, disaster recovery, and workload migration between geographically distributed facilities.

Comprehensive Layer 3 Support

This category supports extensive Layer 3 routing features including OSPF, BGP, IS-IS, and static routing. These capabilities allow the switch to function not only as a high-speed aggregation device but also as a powerful routing platform within enterprise cores or service provider networks.

BGP for Scalable Routing

Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) support ensures scalable routing for large-scale deployments. Data center operators can implement BGP EVPN for overlay networking and VXLAN integration, enabling virtualized workloads to move seamlessly across racks and pods.

Equal-Cost Multi-Path (ECMP)

ECMP functionality enhances bandwidth utilization by distributing traffic across multiple equal-cost paths. This increases redundancy, improves performance, and reduces single points of failure in spine-leaf architectures.

VXLAN and Overlay Networking

VXLAN support enables scalable Layer 2 networks over Layer 3 infrastructure. This is critical in multi-tenant cloud environments where network segmentation and workload isolation are essential.

Network Virtualization

VXLAN allows administrators to create logical networks that span physical boundaries. This simplifies large-scale deployments and enhances agility in virtual machine provisioning and container-based environments.

High Switching Capacity

The switch category is engineered to provide multi-terabit switching capacity, ensuring wire-speed performance across all ports simultaneously. This is essential in environments with heavy east-west traffic such as virtualization clusters, distributed storage systems, and big data analytics platforms.

Scalability for Modern Data Centers

Support for Large Routing Tables

The routing hardware supports large MAC address tables and extensive routing entries, enabling deployment in enterprise core networks and service provider backbones. This scalability ensures long-term viability as network demands grow.

Cloud-Scale Deployments

Cloud service providers benefit from scalable control plane capabilities and high-density port configurations. This allows seamless expansion without replacing core infrastructure components.

High Availability and Redundancy

Redundant power supplies and hot-swappable fan modules ensure continuous operation. Hardware redundancy combined with advanced software failover mechanisms minimizes downtime in mission-critical deployments.

Hot-Swappable Components

Hot-swappable power supplies and fans allow maintenance without service interruption. This reduces operational risk and improves overall uptime.

Modular Airflow Options

Front-to-rear and rear-to-front airflow options accommodate different data center cooling designs. This flexibility simplifies integration into existing rack layouts.

Use Cases

Campus Core Networks

Enterprises can deploy this switch category in campus core environments to aggregate multiple access layers while maintaining high-speed uplinks to data centers or WAN connections.

Service Provider Edge

Service providers can leverage advanced routing capabilities and high-density interfaces to deliver carrier-grade services, including MPLS and large-scale BGP deployments.

Multi-Tenant Support

Support for VRFs and advanced segmentation ensures secure multi-tenant service delivery across shared infrastructure.

Extensible Operating System (EOS)

The platform runs on a programmable network operating system designed for automation, visibility, and scalability. The operating system architecture supports state separation, enabling high reliability and simplified troubleshooting.

High-Performance Storage

The 40GbE and 100GbE interfaces are ideal for connecting to high-performance storage arrays and distributed storage systems.

Low-Latency Data Replication

High-speed uplinks ensure fast replication between storage clusters, supporting backup, disaster recovery, and real-time analytics workloads.

High-Performance Computing (HPC) Environments

HPC clusters require high throughput and minimal latency. This switch category delivers both, making it suitable for research institutions and scientific computing facilities.