QFX5100-24Q-3AFI Juniper Networks 24 QSFP+Ports Layer 3 Switch

Juniper Networks QFX5100-24Q-3AFI Switch

The Juniper Networks QFX5100-24Q-3AFI is a powerful data center switch designed for high-speed connectivity and scalability. Featuring 24x 40 Gigabit QSFP+ ports and flexible expansion options, it delivers exceptional throughput and reliability for enterprise and cloud environments.

General Information

• Manufacturer: Juniper Networks
• Model Number: QFX5100-24Q-3AFI
• Device Type: Network Switch
• Series: QFX5100 Family

Technical Specifications

Port Configuration

• Network Interfaces: 24x 40 Gigabit Ethernet QSFP+
• Management Interfaces:
  • 1x RJ-45 Serial Console
  • 1x RJ-45 Gigabit Management Port
  • 1x Gigabit SFP Management Port
  • 1x USB Interface

Expansion Options

• Module Slots: 2x Expansion Slots (modules sold separately)
• Available Modules:
  • QFX-EM-4Q (4x 40Gb QSFP+ Expansion)
  • EX4600-EM-8F (8x SFP+/SFP Expansion)

Cooling & Power

• Airflow: Back-to-front cooling design
• Fan Modules: 5x QFX5100-FAN-AFI included
• Power Supplies: 2x JPSU-650W-AC-AFI AC units included

Performance Metrics

• Switching Capacity: 2.56 Tbps
• Forwarding Rate: 1.44 Bpps
• MAC Address Table: 288,000 entries

Juniper Networks QFX5100-24Q-3AFI 24-Port Data Switch 

The Juniper Networks QFX5100-24Q-3AFI 24x 40GB QSFP+ 2x Mod Slot Back-to-Front Air Switch belongs to a high-performance data center switching category engineered for spine-and-leaf fabrics, high-density aggregation layers, and scalable enterprise core deployments. Designed to deliver low latency, deep buffering, and wire-speed throughput, this 40GbE QSFP+ switch supports demanding workloads such as virtualization, private cloud, big data analytics, and high-frequency transactional environments. Organizations seeking deterministic performance, high port density, and seamless integration into modern IP fabrics will find this switch category optimized for both scale-out and scale-up architectures.

High-Density 40GbE QSFP+ Interface Design

The 24 fixed 40 Gigabit Ethernet QSFP+ ports provide exceptional bandwidth concentration within a compact 1U form factor. Each 40GbE interface is capable of supporting breakout configurations, enabling flexible deployment strategies across access, aggregation, and core layers. The 40Gb QSFP+ switching category supports both direct 40GbE connectivity and 4x10GbE breakout scenarios depending on transceiver and cabling configurations, offering granular bandwidth allocation to match application demands.

Optimized Port Utilization for Modern Data Centers

High-density 40GbE ports are particularly valuable in spine-layer deployments where east-west traffic patterns dominate. The QFX5100-24Q-3AFI platform enables dense spine connectivity with predictable latency, ensuring consistent throughput across hyper-converged infrastructure clusters, virtualization hosts, and storage networks. By reducing oversubscription ratios and increasing fabric bandwidth, this switch category supports elastic workloads without bottlenecks.

Breakout and Aggregation Capabilities

With breakout support, each 40GbE QSFP+ interface can be subdivided into multiple 10GbE connections when required. This flexibility allows network architects to deploy the device as a top-of-rack aggregation switch or as a spine switch within a leaf-spine topology. The adaptability of 40GbE switching ensures investment protection while maintaining forward compatibility with evolving traffic patterns.

Two Modular Expansion Slots for Scalable Connectivity

The presence of two modular slots enhances expansion flexibility within the QFX5100 switching category. These module bays allow administrators to tailor uplink or additional connectivity options based on evolving network designs. Modular expansion is critical in dynamic data centers where requirements shift from high-density aggregation to specialized connectivity roles.

Future-Proofing Infrastructure Investments

Switches with modular slots reduce lifecycle replacement costs by allowing hardware adaptation instead of full platform upgrades. The QFX5100-24Q-3AFI category enables IT teams to integrate advanced modules as needed, preserving capital expenditure while supporting growth strategies.

Adaptive Deployment Scenarios

In spine-and-leaf architectures, expansion modules can provide additional high-speed uplinks to maintain non-blocking fabric designs. In enterprise cores, they can facilitate WAN aggregation or inter-building connectivity. This modular flexibility ensures that the switch adapts to hybrid cloud connectivity, campus-core convergence, and multi-site deployments.

Back-to-Front Airflow for Data Center Efficiency

The back-to-front airflow configuration is engineered specifically for hot aisle/cold aisle data center containment strategies. Proper airflow direction is essential for thermal optimization, equipment longevity, and energy efficiency. The QFX5100-24Q-3AFI 3AFI model supports airflow alignment with modern rack orientation, minimizing cooling inefficiencies.

Thermal Optimization in High-Density Environments

Data centers operating high-density racks require consistent airflow to prevent thermal hotspots. Back-to-front air switches align intake and exhaust paths with structured cooling layouts, reducing HVAC strain and improving overall power usage effectiveness. This category of airflow-optimized switching hardware is critical for enterprise and colocation environments.

Redundant Power

Enterprise-grade switches in this category typically support redundant power supplies and hot-swappable fan trays. Such redundancy ensures operational continuity and simplifies maintenance procedures. Hardware resiliency is fundamental to maintaining service-level agreements in mission-critical networks.

Low Latency and High Throughput Switching Fabric

The QFX5100-24Q-3AFI is built on a robust switching fabric that delivers wire-speed forwarding across all ports. High-performance ASIC architecture enables ultra-low latency performance, making this switch category suitable for latency-sensitive applications including financial trading systems, distributed storage clusters, and real-time analytics engines.

Cut-Through Forwarding Performance

Cut-through switching reduces packet forwarding delay by transmitting frames before they are fully received. This capability significantly lowers microsecond latency, ensuring time-sensitive workloads operate with maximum responsiveness. Low-latency switching is a defining characteristic of advanced 40GbE spine-class hardware.

Advanced Data Center Networking Features

The QFX5100 switching category supports sophisticated Layer 2 and Layer 3 capabilities required for scalable data center fabrics. These features enable seamless traffic segmentation, efficient routing, and dynamic network virtualization.

Layer 2 Bridging and VLAN Segmentation

Comprehensive VLAN support allows secure multi-tenant segmentation across shared infrastructure. Enterprises and service providers rely on VLAN tagging and trunking to isolate workloads, enhance security, and maintain policy-driven traffic control.

Layer 3 Routing and IP Fabric Integration

Integrated routing protocols allow the switch to participate in dynamic IP fabric architectures. Equal-cost multipath routing enhances redundancy and load distribution, enabling high-availability network fabrics with automatic failover.

Virtual Chassis and Fabric Scalability

Virtual chassis capabilities enable multiple switches to operate as a single logical device. This reduces management complexity while increasing scalability. By consolidating control planes, organizations can streamline configuration and monitoring processes.

Software-Defined Networking and Automation

Modern network infrastructures increasingly rely on automation frameworks and programmable interfaces. The QFX5100-24Q-3AFI category integrates seamlessly with automation tools and orchestration platforms, supporting API-driven management and zero-touch provisioning.

Programmable Interfaces and Open Standards

Support for open standards ensures interoperability with diverse vendor ecosystems. Network programmability enhances operational efficiency by enabling automated configuration rollouts, policy enforcement, and telemetry collection.

Deployment Scenarios for 40GbE Spine and Aggregation Switches

The QFX5100-24Q-3AFI 24-port 40GbE switch category is widely adopted across enterprise data centers, cloud service providers, research institutions, and large campus networks. Its design aligns with modern architectural principles emphasizing scale-out growth and high-speed interconnectivity.

Leaf-Spine Topology Integration

Within a leaf-spine design, this switch commonly serves as a spine layer node, connecting multiple leaf switches at 40GbE speeds. This architecture minimizes latency hops and ensures predictable bandwidth between endpoints.

High-Performance Computing Environments

Research clusters and HPC environments demand high-throughput, low-latency interconnects. The QFX5100 switching class provides the performance characteristics necessary to support parallel computing workloads and large-scale data processing.

Enterprise Core and Aggregation Roles

In enterprise campus deployments, the device can function as a high-capacity aggregation switch, consolidating traffic from multiple access layers. Its modular expansion slots further enhance suitability for evolving network core requirements.

Energy Efficiency and Data Center Optimization

Power efficiency is a major consideration in large-scale deployments. Advanced switching ASICs and intelligent power management technologies help reduce energy consumption per gigabit of throughput. Efficient airflow and redundant cooling mechanisms contribute to operational sustainability and reduced total cost of ownership.

Power Supply Redundancy and Reliability

Dual hot-swappable power supply units provide high availability and protect against power-related disruptions. Redundancy ensures uninterrupted service during maintenance or component replacement.

Long-Term Investment Value

Scalable hardware platforms that combine modular design, 40GbE performance, and automation readiness deliver long-term value. Enterprises can deploy the QFX5100-24Q-3AFI category in evolving hybrid cloud infrastructures without sacrificing reliability or performance headroom.

Security and Traffic Control Capabilities

Security integration is fundamental within high-speed switching environments. The QFX5100-24Q-3AFI category incorporates access control mechanisms, traffic filtering policies, and secure management interfaces to protect sensitive data traversing the network.

Access Control and Policy Enforcement

Granular access control lists allow administrators to define traffic rules based on source, destination, and protocol criteria. These policies are essential for compliance-driven environments and segmented multi-tenant data centers.

Secure Management Protocols

Encrypted management sessions and authentication mechanisms ensure administrative access remains protected. Secure device management is critical in distributed enterprise networks where multiple operators maintain infrastructure.

Network Segmentation and Isolation

Support for virtual routing and forwarding instances enhances logical separation between tenants and departments. This segmentation capability supports private cloud services and secure enterprise application hosting.

Hardware Durability and Enterprise Build Quality

Enterprise-class switching hardware demands robust construction standards. The QFX5100-24Q-3AFI 40GbE switch category is engineered for continuous operation in high-density rack environments. Durable components, resilient chassis design, and strict quality control processes ensure long operational lifespan and reduced failure rates.

Hot-Swappable Components

Maintenance flexibility is enhanced through hot-swappable fan modules and power supplies. This reduces downtime and simplifies service operations without requiring full device shutdown.

Rack-Mount Form Factor

The 1U rack-mount design maximizes data center space efficiency. Compact physical dimensions combined with high port density enable optimized rack utilization, essential for space-constrained facilities.

High Availability in Mission-Critical Networks

Data center switches in this performance tier are built to meet stringent uptime requirements. Redundant subsystems, advanced failover capabilities, and resilient control plane design collectively ensure dependable network operations across demanding enterprise environments.