DCS-7500R-36CQ-LC Arista 36 Ports 7500R Series Line Card

Arista 7500R Series Line Cards: Powering Modern Data Centers

Overview of the Arista 7500R Series Platform

The Arista 7500R Series represents the pinnacle of data center switching technology, designed to meet the demanding requirements of modern cloud networks, high-performance computing environments, and large-scale enterprise infrastructures. As a crucial component of this ecosystem, the DCS-7500R-36CQ-LC line card extends the capabilities of the 7500R chassis with exceptional port density and forwarding performance.

Evolution of the 7500 Series

The 7500R Series builds upon the proven architecture of the original 7500 platform, incorporating enhanced capabilities for greater scalability and performance. The "R" designation signifies the refreshed, next-generation iteration with improved specifications and additional features to address evolving network demands.

DCS-7500R-36CQ-LC Technical Specifications

Port Configuration and Density

The DCS-7500R-36CQ-LC provides 36 QSFP100 ports, each capable of operating at 100GbE speeds. This high-density configuration enables substantial bandwidth capacity within a single slot, optimizing rack space and power efficiency while delivering exceptional throughput.

QSFP100 Interface Technology

Utilizing QSFP100 (Quad Small Form-factor Pluggable 100) interfaces, this line card supports various connectivity options including 100GbE native connections, as well as breakouts to multiple lower-speed interfaces. This flexibility allows network architects to design cost-effective infrastructures that can scale according to application requirements.

Performance Characteristics

Forwarding Capacity

With a forwarding capacity of multiple terabits per second, the DCS-7500R-36CQ-LC ensures non-blocking performance even under maximum load conditions. The advanced architecture maintains consistent latency regardless of packet size or traffic patterns.

Buffer Memory

Equipped with substantial shared buffer memory, this line card efficiently handles microburst traffic and congestion scenarios common in data center environments. The intelligent buffer management system prioritizes critical traffic while maintaining overall network stability.

Key Features and Capabilities

Arista EOS Integration

The DCS-7500R-36CQ-LC operates seamlessly with Arista EOS (Extensible Operating System), providing advanced features and programmability. EOS delivers consistent network operation, stateful fault tolerance, and comprehensive automation capabilities.

Software-Defined Networking

Through integration with Arista EOS, the line card supports various SDN paradigms including direct operation with cloud orchestration platforms, programmable APIs, and integration with leading network automation tools.

Advanced Traffic Management

Quality of Service (QoS)

Sophisticated QoS mechanisms ensure appropriate traffic prioritization across multiple classes of service. The hierarchical QoS implementation allows for precise bandwidth allocation and congestion management at both port and system levels.

Load Balancing and Hashing

Advanced load balancing algorithms distribute traffic efficiently across multiple paths, optimizing network utilization and preventing link congestion. Customizable hash parameters accommodate various network architectures and traffic patterns.

Deployment Scenarios and Use Cases

Data Center Spine Applications

As a spine switch in leaf-spine architectures, the DCS-7500R-36CQ-LC provides the high-speed interconnect backbone necessary for modern data centers. Its high port density and throughput capabilities support extensive leaf-layer connectivity while maintaining low latency and high reliability.

Massive Scale Data Centers

For hyper-scale and cloud provider environments, multiple 7500R chassis equipped with DCS-7500R-36CQ-LC line cards can form massive fabric backbones capable of interconnecting thousands of servers while maintaining consistent performance and operational simplicity.

High-Performance Computing

In HPC environments, where low latency and high bandwidth are critical, this line card delivers the performance necessary for compute cluster interconnection. The support for RDMA over Converged Ethernet (RoCE) further enhances its suitability for HPC applications.

Financial Trading Networks

The deterministic low latency and high reliability characteristics make the DCS-7500R-36CQ-LC ideal for financial trading applications where microseconds matter. Advanced monitoring capabilities provide the visibility required to maintain optimal performance.

Hardware Architecture and Design

ASIC Technology

The DCS-7500R-36CQ-LC leverages Arista's latest generation merchant silicon, optimized for high-performance switching. The advanced ASIC design delivers line-rate performance while maintaining power efficiency and feature richness.

Pipeline Architecture

The sophisticated packet processing pipeline supports complex forwarding decisions, access control policies, and monitoring functions without compromising performance. The architecture ensures consistent operation regardless of feature activation state.

Thermal Design and Power Management

Cooling System

Advanced thermal management ensures optimal operating temperatures across all environmental conditions. The redundant fan design maintains airflow even in partial failure scenarios, enhancing overall system reliability.

Power Efficiency

Power-optimized components and intelligent power management contribute to exceptional power efficiency metrics. The line card supports various power profiles that can be adjusted based on operational requirements and environmental conditions.

Management and Operations

Arista CloudVision Integration

Seamless integration with Arista CloudVision provides centralized management, automation, and telemetry capabilities. The DCS-7500R-36CQ-LC contributes rich streaming telemetry data that enables proactive network management and rapid troubleshooting.

Network Telemetry

Comprehensive telemetry capabilities provide deep visibility into network performance, including detailed statistics on interface performance, buffer utilization, and system health. This data-driven approach enables intelligent network operations.

Monitoring and Troubleshooting

Arista DANZ Monitoring Fabric

Integration with Arista DANZ (Data Analyzer) provides advanced network monitoring capabilities, including packet capture, flow analysis, and performance measurement without impacting production traffic.

Latency Analyzer

Built-in latency measurement capabilities enable precise performance monitoring and troubleshooting. The system can measure and report on application latency, helping to identify and resolve performance issues quickly.

Reliability and Availability Features

High Availability Mechanisms

Hitless System Upgrades

Arista's Stateful Fault Tolerance (SFT) technology enables hitless system upgrades and maintenance operations, ensuring continuous operation even during software updates. This capability is crucial for maintaining service level agreements in production environments.

Redundant Components

While operating within the redundant 7500R chassis architecture, the line card benefits from system-level redundancy including power supplies, fan trays, and control processors. The design minimizes single points of failure throughout the system.

Serviceability and Maintenance

Hot-Swappable Design

The line card supports hot-swappable installation and removal, allowing for maintenance and upgrades without system downtime. This feature enhances operational flexibility and reduces maintenance windows.

Diagnostic Capabilities

Comprehensive built-in diagnostic functions facilitate rapid fault isolation and resolution. The system provides detailed health monitoring and alerting for proactive maintenance.

Compatibility and Interoperability

Chassis Compatibility

The DCS-7500R-36CQ-LC is designed for use with Arista 7500R Series chassis, including specific models that support the high-speed backplane connectivity required for optimal performance. Proper chassis selection ensures full functionality and performance.

Transceiver and Cable Compatibility

Supported Optics

The line card supports a wide range of Arista-certified optical transceivers for various reach requirements, including SR4, PSM4, CWDM4, and LR4 variants. Compatibility with industry-standard optics ensures flexible deployment options.

Direct Attach Cables

Support for various direct attach copper (DAC) and active optical cables (AOC) provides cost-effective connectivity solutions for shorter reach applications within the data center.

Performance Optimization Techniques

Buffer Tuning

Advanced buffer management capabilities allow network engineers to optimize performance for specific traffic patterns. Customizable threshold settings and queue management parameters enable fine-tuning for particular application requirements.

Congestion Management

Explicit Congestion Notification

Support for ECN enables intelligent congestion management in data center environments, particularly beneficial for storage and big data applications where packet loss can significantly impact performance.

Priority Flow Control

PFC implementation enables lossless Ethernet operation for specific traffic classes, essential for converged storage networks and RDMA applications.

Scalability Considerations

System Scaling

When deployed in a 7500R chassis with multiple line cards, the system can scale to support thousands of high-speed ports while maintaining consistent performance and operational characteristics.

Fabric Architecture

Multi-Chassis Link Aggregation

Support for MLAG enables active-active redundancy across multiple physical chassis, creating highly available network designs without sacrificing performance or operational complexity.

EVPN-VXLAN Deployment

The line card fully supports EVPN-VXLAN overlays, enabling large-scale layer 2 and layer 3 network fabrics that span multiple physical locations while maintaining optimal performance and security.

Environmental Specifications

Operating Conditions

The DCS-7500R-36CQ-LC is designed to operate within standard data center environmental parameters, with specified ranges for temperature, humidity, and altitude. These specifications ensure reliable operation across diverse deployment scenarios.

Power Consumption

Detailed power consumption specifications account for various operating conditions and configurations. The intelligent power management system optimizes energy usage based on actual load conditions.