6PNKR Dell EMC E3248P-ON 10/100/1000mb 802.3AT QSFP28 1050W AC Switch

Dell 6PNKR EMC E3248P-ON QSFP28 1050W AC Switch

The Dell 6PNKR EMC E3248P-ON is a high-performance enterprise-grade network switch designed for scalability, reliability, and advanced connectivity. It features multiple port options including RJ45, SFP+, and QSFP28, making it suitable for modern data centers and business infrastructures.

General Details

• Brand: Dell
• Model Number: 6PNKR
• Category: Network Switch

Technical Specifications

Performance Metrics

• Switching Capacity: 576 Gbps
• Forwarding Rate: 800 Mpps
• Buffer Memory: 8 MB

Port Configuration

• 1GBase-T Ports: 48
• 10G SFP+ Ports: 4
• 100G QSFP28 Ports: Rear-mounted
• PoE Support: 48x 802.3at (30W) Power-over-Ethernet

Power Features

• Maximum Power Consumption: AC
• Internal Power Units: 2 hot-swappable redundant PSUs (1 included, 2nd optional)
• Redundant Power Capacity: 1050W AC

Cooling & Airflow

• Airflow Direction: I/O to Power Supply
• Cooling System: Field-replaceable fans with N+1 redundancy

Enterprise Power Ethernet Switching Infrastructure

The Dell 6PNKR EMC E3248P-ON belongs to a professional-grade Ethernet switching category engineered for enterprise access, aggregation, and edge network deployments that demand high port density, advanced power delivery, and scalable uplink performance. This category focuses on managed PoE-enabled switches that serve as the foundation for modern converged networks, supporting data, voice, video, wireless access points, and IoT devices through a single unified infrastructure. Designed for reliability, flexibility, and high throughput, this class of switches is widely adopted in enterprise campuses, commercial buildings, industrial environments, and service provider edge networks.

Ethernet switches in this category combine traditional Layer 2 and Layer 3 networking capabilities with advanced power delivery standards, allowing organizations to simplify cabling, reduce deployment costs, and centralize power management. The Dell E3248P-ON reflects this category’s emphasis on scalability and operational efficiency by integrating a large number of Gigabit Ethernet access ports with high-speed fiber uplinks, ensuring seamless connectivity from the network edge to the core.

Access Layer Switching for Modern Network Architectures

This category of access-layer switches is specifically designed to connect end-user devices, IP phones, wireless access points, security cameras, and building automation systems to the enterprise network. The presence of forty-eight RJ45 Ethernet ports operating at 10/100/1000 Mbps ensures compatibility with a wide range of legacy and modern devices, making these switches suitable for both new installations and network upgrades. Access-layer switches play a critical role in enforcing network policies, segmenting traffic, and maintaining consistent performance across all connected endpoints.

By integrating Power over Ethernet capabilities, this category eliminates the need for separate electrical wiring for powered devices. This simplifies network design, accelerates deployment timelines, and enables centralized power control, which is particularly valuable in large-scale environments such as office campuses, educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and hospitality venues.

IEEE 802.3AT PoE+ Power Delivery Capabilities

The PoE functionality within this category is based on the IEEE 802.3AT standard, commonly referred to as PoE+. This allows each Ethernet port to deliver up to 30 watts of power, supporting power-hungry devices such as high-performance wireless access points, pan-tilt-zoom IP cameras, video conferencing systems, and advanced VoIP phones. The ability to supply power and data over a single Ethernet cable enhances deployment flexibility and reduces infrastructure complexity.

PoE-enabled switches in this class feature intelligent power management mechanisms that dynamically allocate power based on device requirements. This ensures optimal utilization of the available power budget while protecting connected devices from overload conditions. Centralized power monitoring and control further enhance operational visibility and enable proactive maintenance strategies.

High-Speed Uplink Connectivity and Network Scalability

Scalability is a defining characteristic of this switching category, as enterprise networks must accommodate growing numbers of users, devices, and bandwidth-intensive applications. The Dell E3248P-ON exemplifies this scalability by incorporating multiple high-speed uplink interfaces that connect the access layer to aggregation or core switches. These uplinks are essential for preventing bottlenecks and maintaining consistent performance across the network.

Switches in this category are designed to support traffic aggregation from dozens of access ports without compromising throughput or latency. This capability is particularly important in environments where large volumes of data are generated at the edge, such as wireless networks supporting high user densities or surveillance systems streaming high-definition video.

10 Gigabit SFP+ Uplink Integration

The inclusion of four 10 Gigabit SFP+ ports positions this category for high-speed fiber connectivity between network layers. These uplinks provide a significant increase in bandwidth compared to traditional Gigabit connections, enabling efficient handling of aggregated traffic from multiple access ports. Fiber-based uplinks also extend network reach and improve signal integrity, making them suitable for multi-building campuses and distributed enterprise environments.

10G SFP+ interfaces support a variety of transceiver options, allowing network architects to choose appropriate fiber types and distances based on deployment requirements. This flexibility aligns with the category’s focus on adaptable infrastructure that can evolve alongside organizational needs.

100 Gigabit QSFP28 High-Capacity Expansion

The presence of dual 100 Gigabit QSFP28 ports elevates this switch category beyond traditional access-layer capabilities, enabling direct high-capacity connections to core switches or data center fabrics. These ultra-high-speed interfaces support future-proof network designs by accommodating rapidly increasing bandwidth demands driven by cloud services, unified communications, and real-time collaboration tools.

QSFP28 connectivity allows for seamless integration into spine-leaf architectures and high-performance enterprise backbones. This positions the category as a bridge between access and aggregation layers, reducing the need for intermediate hardware and simplifying overall network topology.

Power Architecture and Energy Efficiency

Power delivery and efficiency are central considerations within this switch category, particularly in PoE-intensive environments. The Dell E3248P-ON is equipped with a high-capacity 1050W AC power supply, enabling it to deliver consistent PoE power across all access ports while maintaining stable switching performance. This level of power capacity supports dense deployments of powered devices without requiring external power injectors or auxiliary power systems.

Enterprise switches in this category are engineered to balance performance with energy efficiency, incorporating advanced power management features that reduce operational costs and environmental impact. Efficient power utilization is especially important in large-scale deployments where dozens or hundreds of switches operate continuously.

Load-Optimized Power Supply Design

The load-optimized power supply architecture ensures that power is delivered where it is needed most, minimizing waste and improving overall system efficiency. Intelligent power allocation dynamically adjusts output based on connected device requirements, preventing unnecessary power consumption. This approach aligns with enterprise sustainability initiatives and contributes to lower total cost of ownership.

Redundancy and reliability are also key aspects of power design in this category. While a single high-capacity power supply may meet most deployment needs, the underlying architecture is designed to support continuous operation and protect against power anomalies, ensuring network uptime.

Thermal Management and Operational Stability

Effective thermal management is essential for maintaining performance and longevity in high-density switches. This category incorporates advanced cooling mechanisms, including optimized airflow paths and temperature monitoring, to dissipate heat generated by switching and PoE power delivery. Stable thermal operation ensures consistent performance even under sustained high loads.

By maintaining optimal operating temperatures, these switches reduce the risk of hardware degradation and unplanned downtime. This reliability is critical in environments where network availability directly impacts productivity and service delivery.

Network Management and Software Integration

Managed switches in this category are designed to integrate seamlessly into enterprise network management frameworks. They support centralized configuration, monitoring, and troubleshooting, allowing administrators to maintain visibility and control over complex network environments. Advanced management capabilities are essential for enforcing security policies, optimizing performance, and responding quickly to network events.

Dell EMC networking solutions are known for their compatibility with modern network operating systems and automation tools. This category supports open networking principles, enabling organizations to tailor software environments to their specific operational requirements.

Layer 2 and Layer 3 Feature Set

This switch category typically supports a comprehensive set of Layer 2 and Layer 3 features, including VLAN segmentation, link aggregation, routing protocols, and quality of service mechanisms. These capabilities enable efficient traffic management and ensure that critical applications receive prioritized bandwidth.

Layer 3 functionality allows switches to participate in routing decisions, reducing latency and improving network efficiency by offloading traffic from centralized routers. This distributed intelligence enhances scalability and resilience in large enterprise networks.

Automation, Monitoring, and Diagnostics

Automation is an increasingly important aspect of modern networking, and this category supports integration with orchestration platforms and management APIs. Automated provisioning and configuration reduce manual effort and minimize the risk of human error during deployment and maintenance.

Comprehensive monitoring and diagnostic tools provide real-time insights into network performance, port utilization, and power consumption. These capabilities enable proactive issue resolution and support data-driven network optimization strategies.

Security and Traffic Control Capabilities

Security is a foundational requirement for enterprise networking equipment, and this category incorporates multiple layers of protection to safeguard data and infrastructure. Access-layer switches play a critical role in enforcing network security policies by controlling device access and segmenting traffic.

Features such as port-based authentication, access control lists, and traffic filtering help prevent unauthorized access and mitigate potential threats. By implementing security measures at the network edge, organizations can reduce the attack surface and improve overall security posture.

Segmentation and Policy Enforcement

Network segmentation is essential for isolating different types of traffic and maintaining compliance with organizational and regulatory requirements. Switches in this category support advanced VLAN configurations and policy-based traffic control, enabling fine-grained segmentation across the network.

Policy enforcement at the access layer ensures consistent application of security rules, regardless of where devices connect. This is particularly important in environments with mobile users and dynamic device populations.

Deployment Scenarios and Industry Applications

The Dell EMC E3248P-ON switch category is well suited for a wide range of deployment scenarios across multiple industries. In corporate office environments, these switches provide the connectivity backbone for employee workstations, collaboration tools, and wireless networks. In educational institutions, they support high-density classroom connectivity and campus-wide wireless access.

Healthcare facilities rely on PoE-enabled switches to power medical devices, surveillance systems, and communication platforms while maintaining strict reliability and security standards. Similarly, retail and hospitality environments benefit from simplified infrastructure and centralized power management for point-of-sale systems, digital signage, and guest Wi-Fi.