K18NP Dell 28 Port Switch S4128f-on S-series 10GBPS Layer 2 & 3.

Dell K18NP 28 Port Switch S4128F-ON: Advanced Networking Performance

The Dell K18NP 28 Port Switch, officially known as the S4128F-ON, is part of Dell’s S-series high-performance switch lineup, engineered to support next-generation data centers, enterprise networks, and service provider infrastructures. This top-tier 10Gbps switch delivers robust Layer 2 and Layer 3 functionality, advanced programmability, and exceptional scalability. Built for the Open Networking ecosystem, the S4128F-ON enables flexible deployment models while meeting the most demanding performance requirements.

High-Density 10GbE Port Architecture

The Dell S4128F-ON offers a total of 28 ports, including 25 x 10GbE SFP+ ports and 3 x 100GbE QSFP28 uplink ports. This configuration ensures maximum throughput and simplified aggregation for spine-leaf topologies. The high port density makes it ideal for virtualization, hyper-converged infrastructures, and high-bandwidth applications.

Support for Future-Ready Network Scaling

The inclusion of 100GbE uplink ports allows the Dell K18NP switch to connect seamlessly to modern data center cores and scale with growing network demands. The hardware supports multi-rate capabilities, which enable compatibility with 10, 25, 40, and 100Gbps optics—making it an investment-ready choice for scaling enterprises.

Benefits of Multi-Gigabit Connectivity

With multi-gigabit capabilities, the Dell S4128F-ON supports bandwidth-heavy applications and reduces bottlenecks in high-performance environments. Enterprises running storage-heavy applications, AI workloads, or real-time analytics benefit from the low-latency architecture of this switch.

Layer 2 and Layer 3 Feature Set

The S4128F-ON is designed to operate as both a Layer 2 and Layer 3 switch, enabling seamless interoperability across different segments of a network. Whether used for VLAN segmentation or advanced routing protocols, it ensures superior traffic control and policy enforcement across LAN and data center architectures.

Comprehensive Layer 2 Functionality

• 802.1Q VLAN tagging and trunking
• Spanning Tree Protocol (STP), including RSTP and MSTP
• Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP)
• Storm control, MAC address filtering, and port security

These features are crucial for managing broadcast traffic, preventing loops, and maintaining network integrity in highly virtualized environments.

Advanced Layer 3 Capabilities

• Static routing and dynamic routing protocols: OSPF, BGP, and RIP
• Policy-based routing for traffic engineering
• Virtual Routing and Forwarding (VRF)
• IPv6 support for next-gen network transition

These features make the S4128F-ON a powerful tool for advanced network segmentation and routing across large-scale enterprise topologies.

Open Networking and Operating System Flexibility

One of the standout features of the Dell K18NP switch is its support for Open Networking. It decouples hardware from software by offering users a choice between Dell’s native OS10 and third-party network operating systems like Cumulus Linux or SONiC. This level of flexibility allows administrators to tailor software features to their exact environment and operational preferences.

Dell OS10 Enterprise Edition

With OS10, enterprises gain access to a modular, programmable operating system that supports automation, scripting, and advanced telemetry. OS10 integrates easily with tools like Ansible, Chef, and Puppet for seamless DevOps orchestration.

Support for Disaggregated Network Architectures

By separating the control plane from the data plane, the Dell S4128F-ON allows enterprises to deploy white-box-like networking hardware with carrier-grade features. This design enables agility and cost savings while maintaining performance and reliability.

Performance and Reliability in Data Center Environments

The Dell S4128F-ON is engineered for enterprise-class resiliency, with features that minimize downtime and ensure high availability. These include redundant hot-swappable fans, power supplies, and non-blocking fabric throughput.

Key Performance Specifications

• Switching Capacity: 1.76 Tbps
• Forwarding Rate: Up to 1,310 Mpps
• MAC Addresses: 128K
• Latency: Sub-microsecond across all port types

With these specifications, the switch can easily support high-performance computing (HPC), low-latency trading, and other time-sensitive workloads.

High Availability Features

• MLAG (Multi-Chassis Link Aggregation)
• Graceful Restart and Fast Convergence
• ISSU (In-Service Software Upgrade)
• Hot-swappable redundant fans and PSUs

These features contribute to a zero-downtime environment, which is critical for enterprises requiring continuous uptime.

Security and Compliance Capabilities

Security is paramount in enterprise networking, and the Dell K18NP switch delivers on multiple fronts. From secure management protocols to comprehensive access controls, the S4128F-ON aligns with modern security best practices.

Secure Access and Traffic Controls

• 802.1X port-based access control
• DHCP Snooping, IP Source Guard, and ARP Inspection
• RADIUS and TACACS+ authentication
• Access Control Lists (ACLs) for Layer 2-4 filtering

Compliance Standards

The switch complies with regulatory standards such as RoHS, WEEE, and various regional certifications for electromagnetic interference and safety. Its compatibility with FIPS and Common Criteria ensures that it meets the needs of government and defense-grade deployments.

Deployment Scenarios and Use Cases

The flexibility of the Dell S4128F-ON allows it to be deployed across a variety of networking environments. From edge aggregation in enterprise networks to core switch roles in SMB data centers, the K18NP provides efficient traffic management and scalable performance.

Ideal for Spine-Leaf Architectures

As data centers move towards spine-leaf designs, the Dell S4128F-ON fits seamlessly into both spine and leaf roles. The low-latency architecture combined with high-speed uplinks ensures optimal East-West traffic flow across racks.

Perfect for Virtualized Environments

With increasing adoption of virtual machines and containers, network switches must be capable of rapid configuration and provisioning. The S4128F-ON supports VXLAN and NVGRE tunneling, enabling scalable Layer 2 overlays across distributed virtual workloads.

Service Provider Ready

Thanks to its MPLS capabilities, QoS features, and robust routing support, the switch can also serve as a metro aggregation switch or an edge device in service provider networks. Its scalability and modular software design make it ideal for cloud-scale deployments.

Management and Monitoring Features

Network administrators benefit from a comprehensive set of tools and protocols to manage the switch. Whether you prefer CLI, GUI, or RESTful APIs, the S4128F-ON provides flexible options for monitoring and control.

Automation and Scripting

The switch is compatible with automation frameworks including Ansible and REST API integrations. This enables zero-touch provisioning, automated compliance checks, and streamlined configuration management.

Telemetry and Analytics

The Dell S4128F-ON supports real-time telemetry through gNMI and streaming telemetry protocols. This allows continuous monitoring of interface statistics, temperature, error rates, and buffer utilization—essential for performance tuning and predictive maintenance.

Integration with Enterprise Tools

Thanks to support for SNMPv3, Syslog, sFlow, and NetFlow, the switch can be easily integrated with enterprise monitoring platforms such as SolarWinds, PRTG, or Zabbix for end-to-end visibility and event correlation.

Energy Efficiency and Green IT Considerations

The Dell K18NP 28 Port Switch S4128F-ON is designed with energy efficiency in mind. It complies with Energy Star and other efficiency programs to ensure low power draw, even under full load.

Power-Saving Technologies

• Dynamic fan speed adjustment
• Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE) support
• Auto-shutdown of inactive ports
• Low-power components and smart ASIC design

Reduced Carbon Footprint

By reducing energy consumption and extending hardware lifecycle through software-defined features, the Dell K18NP switch contributes to sustainability goals and corporate environmental responsibility initiatives.

Compatibility and Interoperability

Compatibility with a wide range of transceivers and cables makes the S4128F-ON a versatile addition to any network. It supports third-party optics, DAC, and AOC cables, reducing total cost of ownership.

Standards-Based Interoperability

Adherence to IEEE standards ensures that the switch integrates seamlessly with other network hardware, including switches, routers, and firewalls from Cisco, Juniper, and Arista. Its support for open protocols guarantees smooth communication across mixed-vendor environments.

Firmware and Software Updates

The device supports secure boot and signed firmware updates, ensuring secure delivery and installation of new features. Dell also offers Lifecycle Controller integration for streamlined updates in larger enterprise deployments.