DCS-7280SR2A-48YC6-F Arista 48x 25GB SFP25 6x 100GB QSFP100 F B Air Switch

Arista 48x 25GB SFP25 6x 100GB Switch 

The Arista DCS-7280SR2A-48YC6-F is a high-performance enterprise-grade network switch engineered for scalability, speed, and reliability. Designed with advanced port configurations and redundant components, it ensures seamless connectivity for modern data centers and cloud infrastructures.

General Specifications

• Brand: Arista
• Model Number: DCS-7280SR2A-48YC6-F
• Category: Network Switch

Technical Highlights

Port Configuration

• 48x 25 Gigabit Ethernet SFP28 interfaces
• 6x 100 Gigabit Ethernet QSFP100 uplink ports
• Management: 1x RS-232 RJ45, 1x Out-of-Band Management, 2x USB

Processing & Memory

• Quad-Core x86 CPU
• 8 GB DRAM (expandable to 32 GB)
• 4 GB Flash storage

Performance Metrics

• Switching Throughput: 3.6 Tbps
• Forwarding Rate: 1.67 Bpps
• MAC Address Table Capacity: 768,000 entries
• Latency: 3.8 microseconds
• Packet Buffer: 8 GB

Cooling & Power

Airflow System

• Front-to-Back airflow design
• 4x FAN-7000H-F modules (N+1 redundancy)

Power Supply Units

• 2x 747W AC PSU (1+1 redundant)

Advanced Features

Network Management

• Supports 4096 VLAN IDs
• Flexible management interfaces for streamlined administration

Reliability & Redundancy

• Redundant fan modules for continuous cooling
• Dual redundant power supplies for uninterrupted operation

DCS-7280SR2A-48YC6-F SFP25 Switch Overview

The Arista DCS-7280SR2A-48YC6-F 48x 25GB SFP25 6x 100GB QSFP100 F B Air Switch is engineered for high-performance data center environments that demand low latency, deep buffers, and advanced routing capabilities. Designed as part of Arista’s 7280R2A Series, this switch addresses the evolving needs of modern cloud-scale networks, enterprise core infrastructures, high-frequency trading platforms, and large-scale virtualization deployments. With forty-eight 25 Gigabit SFP28 ports and six 100 Gigabit QSFP28 uplinks, it delivers flexible connectivity, high port density, and non-blocking throughput in a compact 1RU form factor.

This model features front-to-back airflow, making it suitable for hot aisle/cold aisle data center designs. The combination of advanced hardware architecture, programmable pipeline, and robust software support ensures the DCS-7280SR2A-48YC6-F operates efficiently in spine, leaf, aggregation, and core layers. Its ability to handle high routing table scales and complex policy controls makes it an essential building block for next-generation data center fabrics.

High-Density 25GbE and 100GbE Connectivity

48x 25GB SFP28 Access Ports

The forty-eight 25GB SFP28 ports offer exceptional flexibility for connecting servers, storage arrays, and downstream switches. 25 Gigabit Ethernet has become the preferred access-layer speed in modern data centers because it provides significant performance improvements over 10GbE while maintaining cost efficiency. These SFP28 interfaces support a wide range of transceivers and direct attach cables, enabling organizations to tailor connectivity to their specific deployment needs.

With 25GbE, enterprises can support higher bandwidth per server, reducing oversubscription and improving application performance. Virtualized environments benefit from increased throughput for east-west traffic, while hyperconverged infrastructures gain the necessary bandwidth for storage replication and real-time analytics workloads.

6x 100GB QSFP28 Uplink Ports

The six 100GB QSFP28 ports provide high-speed uplink capacity to spine switches or core aggregation layers. These ports can also be configured for breakout modes, enabling additional 25GbE connectivity if required. The 100GbE capability ensures sufficient backbone bandwidth to handle aggregated traffic from multiple 25GbE connections without congestion.

In spine-leaf architectures, the 100GbE uplinks serve as high-capacity pathways between layers, reducing latency and supporting massive east-west traffic flows. This makes the Arista DCS-7280SR2A-48YC6-F ideal for data-intensive applications such as big data analytics, AI training clusters, and cloud-native microservices architectures.

Advanced Routing and Switching Capabilities

The DCS-7280SR2A-48YC6-F supports comprehensive Layer 2 and Layer 3 features, enabling it to function as both a top-of-rack switch and a core routing platform. It offers full wire-speed performance across all ports, ensuring consistent low-latency packet forwarding even under heavy load.

Layer 2 features include VLAN segmentation, link aggregation, spanning tree protocols, and advanced traffic management. On the Layer 3 side, the switch supports static routing, dynamic routing protocols, and advanced policy-based routing. This versatility allows it to adapt to diverse network architectures and operational requirements.

Massive Routing Table Scale

One of the defining characteristics of the 7280R2A Series is its large routing table capacity. The DCS-7280SR2A-48YC6-F is optimized for environments that require extensive IPv4 and IPv6 route tables, such as internet edge deployments or large multi-tenant cloud platforms. Its deep buffering and advanced forwarding engine provide resilience during traffic bursts and maintain stable performance under dynamic routing changes.

Deep Packet Buffers

Deep packet buffers are critical in handling microbursts and congestion events common in modern data centers. The DCS-7280SR2A-48YC6-F integrates substantial buffering resources, reducing packet loss during sudden traffic spikes. This capability is particularly valuable in financial trading networks and storage networks where packet drops can lead to significant performance degradation or transaction failures.

Front-to-Back Airflow for Efficient Cooling

Data Center Thermal Optimization

The “F” designation indicates front-to-back airflow, aligning with common hot aisle/cold aisle containment strategies. Proper airflow direction is critical for maintaining optimal operating temperatures and prolonging hardware lifespan. By drawing cool air from the front and exhausting hot air through the rear, the DCS-7280SR2A-48YC6-F supports efficient rack-level thermal management.

Efficient cooling reduces the risk of overheating, enhances reliability, and minimizes energy consumption. In large-scale deployments, airflow consistency across networking equipment simplifies rack design and improves overall data center efficiency.

Redundant Power Supplies and Fans

The switch includes redundant, hot-swappable power supplies and fan modules, ensuring continuous operation even during component failures. This redundancy is essential for mission-critical environments where downtime can result in significant financial and operational impact. The hot-swappable design allows maintenance without service interruption, supporting high availability architectures.

Non-Blocking Fabric

Its non-blocking switching fabric ensures that all ports can operate at full line rate simultaneously without oversubscription. This guarantees consistent performance regardless of traffic patterns. In data centers where unpredictable workloads are common, a non-blocking design is vital for maintaining service-level agreements and application reliability.

Comprehensive Network Virtualization Support

VXLAN and EVPN Capabilities

The Arista DCS-7280SR2A-48YC6-F supports advanced overlay networking technologies such as VXLAN and EVPN. These technologies enable scalable Layer 2 and Layer 3 virtualization across large data center fabrics. VXLAN extends VLAN segments across IP networks, allowing multi-tenant isolation and workload mobility without compromising performance.

EVPN enhances control plane scalability and simplifies multi-site data center connectivity. Together, these features allow organizations to build flexible, automated, and highly scalable cloud infrastructures.

Network Segmentation and Security

With robust ACL support, role-based access control, and policy enforcement capabilities, the switch provides granular traffic control. Network segmentation enhances security by isolating workloads and limiting lateral movement within the network. This is especially important in multi-tenant environments and compliance-driven industries.

Cloud-Scale Data Center Readiness

Designed for Hyperscale Environments

The DCS-7280SR2A-48YC6-F is designed to meet the demands of hyperscale data centers. Its scalable architecture accommodates growing traffic volumes and evolving application requirements. The combination of high-density 25GbE access ports and 100GbE uplinks ensures long-term investment protection as network demands increase.

Automation and Programmability

Automation is a cornerstone of modern data center operations. The switch supports programmable interfaces and automation frameworks that enable rapid provisioning, configuration consistency, and real-time monitoring. This reduces operational overhead and minimizes human error, leading to more reliable network deployments.

Open Network Management Integration

Integration with open network management tools and APIs allows seamless orchestration within software-defined environments. Administrators can deploy configuration templates, perform zero-touch provisioning, and automate network lifecycle management tasks with ease.