Overview of the Switch

Engineered for modern data centers, this advanced switching platform delivers exceptional throughput, ultra-low latency, and high port density to support virtualization, cloud networking, and large-scale enterprise environments. Designed to ensure optimal performance and seamless scalability, it combines powerful hardware architecture with a reliable network operating system.

General Information

• Part: QFX5100-96S-AFI
• Brand: Juniper Networks
• Product Type: Switch

Technical Features

Port Configuration & Connectivity

• 96 × 10 Gigabit Ethernet SFP+ interfaces for high-density server and aggregation connectivity
• 8 × 40 Gigabit Ethernet QSFP+ uplink ports for high-speed backbone integration
• Dedicated RJ45 serial console port for direct system access
• RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet management interface for out-of-band control
• Gigabit SFP management port for flexible network administration
• USB port for simplified software installation and file transfers

Operating System & Software

• Powered by Junos OS for advanced Layer 2 and Layer 3 capabilities
• Robust automation features and programmable interfaces
• Comprehensive security and traffic management tools
• Reliable firmware architecture built for enterprise-grade deployments

Performance & Switching Architecture

• Switching capacity of up to 2.56 Tbps for high-bandwidth workloads
• Forwarding performance reaching 1.44 billion packets per second
• MAC address table supporting up to 288,000 entries
• Ultra-low latency as minimal as 550 nanoseconds for time-sensitive applications

Hardware & System Resources

• 1.5 GHz dual-core Intel processor for consistent control-plane performance
• 8 GB system memory to handle demanding network operations
• 32 GB SSD storage for logs, software images, and configuration files

Cooling & Airflow Design

• Back-to-front airflow configuration optimized for hot aisle/cold aisle data center layouts
• Three QFX5100-96S-FANAFI fan modules included for reliable thermal management
• Optional JPSU-850W-AC-AFO power supply available for front-to-back airflow environments

Power Configuration

• Dual JPSU-850W-AC-AFI AC power supplies included for redundancy
• Hot-swappable power modules to minimize downtime
• Flexible airflow-compatible PSU options for diverse rack configurations

Enterprise Deployment Advantages

• Ideal for spine-leaf architectures and top-of-rack deployments
• High port density reduces rack space requirements
• Optimized for virtualization, private cloud, and large-scale aggregation layers
• Scalable design supports growing network infrastructures

Juniper Networks 96 SFP 8 QSFP+ AC Power Supplies Back-to-Front Airflow

The Juniper Networks QFX5100-96S-AFI is a high-density, low-latency 10GbE data center switch engineered for modern cloud architectures, virtualization, and enterprise core deployments. Built on the proven architecture of the QFX5100 Series, this platform delivers wire-speed performance across 96 SFP+ ports and 8 QSFP+ uplink ports while maintaining operational resiliency through redundant fans and redundant AC power supplies. Designed specifically with back-to-front airflow (AFI), the QFX5100-96S-AFI seamlessly integrates into hot-aisle/cold-aisle data center layouts.

Leveraging Juniper’s Junos operating system, this switch supports Layer 2 and Layer 3 functionality, advanced automation, and data center fabric technologies such as EVPN-VXLAN. The QFX5100-96S-AFI is purpose-built for spine-leaf architectures, high-performance computing environments, enterprise campus cores, and service provider edge deployments requiring deterministic latency and scalable throughput.

High-Density 10GbE Connectivity with 96 SFP+ Ports

At the heart of the QFX5100-96S-AFI is its 96 SFP+ ports delivering 1GbE or 10GbE connectivity. This density makes it ideal for top-of-rack (ToR) or end-of-row (EoR) designs in large data centers where server density continues to increase. The SFP+ interfaces support a broad range of optical transceivers and direct attach copper (DAC) cables, allowing flexible cabling options for short- and long-distance deployments.

Organizations consolidating servers, storage arrays, and hyper-converged infrastructure benefit significantly from the switch’s ability to handle east-west traffic patterns typical in virtualized environments. With full line-rate performance on all ports, the QFX5100-96S-AFI ensures that application performance remains consistent even under peak load conditions.

8 QSFP+ Uplink Ports for 40GbE Expansion

In addition to its 96 SFP+ interfaces, the QFX5100-96S-AFI includes 8 QSFP+ ports supporting 40GbE connectivity. These uplinks provide high-speed aggregation to spine switches or core infrastructure, enabling scalable leaf-spine designs.

Each QSFP+ port can be used as native 40GbE or, in many configurations, broken out into 4x10GbE connections using breakout cables. This flexibility enhances deployment options, allowing network architects to adapt to evolving bandwidth demands without replacing hardware.

Redundant Fans for Continuous Operation

Reliability is a cornerstone of the QFX5100-96S-AFI design. The switch includes redundant, hot-swappable fan modules that maintain consistent airflow and thermal stability. In mission-critical environments where uptime is non-negotiable, fan redundancy ensures that a single component failure does not disrupt operations.

The fan modules are engineered for efficient cooling across the full switching fabric, ASIC, and power components. If one fan fails, the remaining modules automatically compensate, maintaining optimal operating temperatures without manual intervention.

Redundant AC Power Supplies for High Availability

The QFX5100-96S-AFI is equipped with dual hot-swappable AC power supplies, providing power redundancy for enterprise and data center deployments. Each power supply can independently support the switch’s full operational load, ensuring that power supply failure does not interrupt service.

By connecting each power supply to separate power circuits, organizations can significantly reduce the risk of downtime caused by electrical failures. This design aligns with high-availability standards required in Tier III and Tier IV data centers.

Back-to-Front Airflow (AFI) for Optimized Data Center Cooling

The AFI designation indicates back-to-front airflow, meaning cool air enters from the rear of the switch and exits at the front. This airflow direction is ideal for hot-aisle containment strategies commonly deployed in modern data centers.

Proper airflow management enhances equipment longevity, reduces cooling costs, and ensures consistent thermal performance. Selecting the correct airflow variant is critical when integrating network hardware into structured rack environments.

Advanced Switching Performance and Low Latency

The QFX5100-96S-AFI is built on high-performance silicon capable of delivering multi-terabit switching capacity and ultra-low latency. This makes it suitable for latency-sensitive applications such as financial trading platforms, real-time analytics, and high-performance computing clusters.

With cut-through switching architecture and deep packet buffering, the switch maintains performance even during microbursts and congestion scenarios. Network administrators can deploy QoS policies to prioritize mission-critical traffic.

Junos OS: Automation, Stability, and Security

Running on Junos OS, the QFX5100-96S-AFI provides a modular, stable operating system designed for automation and programmability. Junos supports automation frameworks such as Ansible, Python scripting, and REST APIs, enabling streamlined provisioning and configuration management.

The consistency of Junos across routing and switching platforms simplifies operational training and reduces configuration errors. Network engineers can deploy standardized templates and integrate the switch into DevOps workflows.

Support for Modern Data Center Fabric Technologies

The QFX5100-96S-AFI supports advanced data center technologies including EVPN and VXLAN, enabling scalable Layer 2 extension over Layer 3 networks. This is particularly valuable in multi-tenant cloud environments where segmentation and isolation are required.

By leveraging EVPN-VXLAN, organizations can create flexible overlays that support workload mobility, rapid provisioning, and simplified network management. The switch integrates seamlessly into spine-leaf architectures designed for horizontal scalability.

Enterprise Core and Aggregation Deployments

While often deployed in data centers, the QFX5100-96S-AFI also excels as an enterprise core or aggregation switch. Its high port density supports large campus networks requiring 10GbE aggregation from access switches.

Layer 3 features including OSPF, BGP, IS-IS, and static routing enable dynamic network segmentation and efficient traffic engineering. Combined with multicast support, the switch can handle video distribution and collaboration workloads efficiently.

Scalability and Investment Protection

Organizations investing in the QFX5100-96S-AFI benefit from long-term scalability. The combination of 10GbE access and 40GbE uplinks ensures that growing bandwidth requirements can be met without immediate hardware replacement.

Modular optics support allows upgrades from 10GbE to higher-speed aggregation through QSFP+ connectivity. This protects capital investment while aligning with future-proof network design strategies.

Energy Efficiency

Power efficiency is critical in high-density data centers. The QFX5100-96S-AFI is engineered to optimize power consumption without sacrificing performance. Intelligent fan control and efficient power supplies reduce overall energy usage.

Reduced cooling requirements and high port density translate into lower total cost of ownership. By consolidating multiple lower-density switches into a single high-density platform, organizations can reduce rack space utilization and cabling complexity.

Security and Network Segmentation

Security is integrated at multiple layers within the QFX5100-96S-AFI. Features such as VLAN segmentation, ACLs, MACsec support (where applicable), and role-based access control help safeguard critical infrastructure.

Advanced telemetry and monitoring tools provide visibility into traffic patterns and potential anomalies. Combined with automation, this enables proactive threat mitigation and compliance enforcement.

The Juniper Networks QFX5100-96S-AFI 96 SFP 8 QSFP+ Redundant Fans Redundant AC Power Supplies Back-to-Front Airflow switch delivers a comprehensive solution for organizations seeking scalable performance, high availability, and operational efficiency. With its advanced feature set, resilient hardware architecture, and support for modern networking paradigms, it stands as a powerful component within next-generation network infrastructures.