MSN2700-CS2RO Mellanox 32x 100GB QSFP28 F B Airflow C2P ONIE Switch

Mellanox 32x 100GB QSFP28 Ethernet Switch

The Mellanox MSN2700-CS2RO is a high-performance Ethernet Switch engineered for modern data centers, offering robust connectivity and reliable throughput with advanced airflow design.

General Specifications

• Manufacturer: Mellanox
• Model Number: MSN2700-CS2RO
• Device Category: Ethernet Switch

Technical Highlights

Network Interfaces

• Ports: 32x 100 Gigabit Ethernet QSFP28
• Management Connections: 1x RJ45 Serial, 1x Fast Ethernet RJ45, 1x USB
• Switch Software: ONIE version

System Resources

• Memory: 8GB
• SSD Storage: 32GB
• Packet Buffer: 16MB
• CPU: Dual-core x86

Cooling and Airflow

• Airflow Direction: Front-to-Back (Connector Side to Power Supply Side)
• Fan Modules: 4x MTEF-FANR-A (N+1 redundant)

Power Supply Units

• Included PSU: 2x MTEF-PSR-AC-A (1+1 redundant AC power supplies)

Performance Metrics

Switching Capacity

• Total Capacity: 6.4Tbps
• Forwarding Rate: 4.76Bpps

Latency

• Response Time: 300ns

MSN2700-CS2RO 32x 100GB Airflow Ethernet Switch Overview

The Mellanox MSN2700-CS2RO 32x 100GB QSFP28 F B Airflow C2P Ethernet Switch represents a powerful solution within the Spectrum-based Ethernet switching portfolio developed by :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}, now part of :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}. Engineered to meet the demands of modern cloud, enterprise, and high-performance computing infrastructures, this 100GbE switch delivers ultra-low latency, high port density, and predictable wire-speed performance across all ports. Built with advanced ASIC architecture, it is optimized for leaf-spine topologies and high-throughput east-west traffic in hyperscale and data center environments.

Architectural Excellence Powered by Spectrum ASIC

At the core of the MSN2700-CS2RO is the Spectrum ASIC, designed for consistent, high-bandwidth performance without packet loss or unpredictable latency. Unlike conventional switching architectures that struggle under heavy loads or microbursts, Spectrum technology ensures deterministic behavior, even when operating at full port utilization. This makes the switch ideal for virtualization-heavy environments, distributed storage networks, and latency-sensitive applications.

Deterministic Performance at 100GbE

With 32 QSFP28 ports supporting 100 Gigabit Ethernet each, the MSN2700-CS2RO provides an aggregate bandwidth capacity suitable for next-generation workloads. Whether deployed as a leaf switch in a spine-leaf architecture or as a high-speed aggregation layer device, it guarantees non-blocking throughput. Each port can also be broken out into multiple 25GbE connections using breakout cables, offering flexibility for evolving network designs.

Low Latency and High Throughput

Ultra-low latency switching is essential in environments such as financial trading, artificial intelligence clusters, and high-frequency transaction platforms. The Mellanox Spectrum architecture ensures consistent low-latency packet forwarding, enabling real-time analytics, distributed computing, and containerized application environments to operate without bottlenecks.

Optimized Airflow Design: Front-to-Back (C2P) Cooling

The CS2RO variant features front-to-back airflow, commonly referred to as C2P (Connector-to-Power) airflow. This cooling configuration aligns perfectly with hot aisle/cold aisle data center designs, where air enters from the port side and exits through the power supply side. Proper airflow direction is critical for maintaining optimal operating temperatures, especially in densely populated racks hosting high-performance networking equipment.

Energy Efficiency and Thermal Stability

Thermal management directly influences switch longevity and reliability. The MSN2700-CS2RO utilizes high-efficiency fans and redundant power supplies to ensure continuous operation under demanding workloads. The intelligent cooling system dynamically adjusts fan speeds based on internal temperature readings, reducing energy consumption while maintaining stable performance.

Redundant Power Supplies for Maximum Uptime

Equipped with dual hot-swappable power supply units, this Ethernet switch is designed for mission-critical environments where downtime is unacceptable. Redundancy ensures uninterrupted operations during maintenance or unexpected power supply failure, contributing to higher overall network availability.

32x 100GbE QSFP28 Ports for Flexible Network Deployment

Port density and flexibility are essential factors when selecting a data center switch. The MSN2700-CS2RO provides 32 QSFP28 ports capable of supporting 100GbE connections. Through breakout capabilities, each QSFP28 port can be split into four 25GbE connections, offering scalability and adaptability for different networking scenarios.

Scalable Leaf-Spine Architecture Support

Modern data centers rely on leaf-spine architectures to deliver predictable performance and low-latency communication between servers. The Mellanox MSN2700-CS2RO excels in leaf roles by providing high-density uplinks to spine switches while maintaining full east-west traffic throughput. Its non-blocking design ensures that performance remains consistent even under peak loads.

Compatibility with Optical and DAC Cabling

QSFP28 ports support a wide range of connectivity options, including direct attach copper cables and optical transceivers. This flexibility allows network administrators to balance cost and performance when designing their infrastructure. Short-range copper connections reduce expenses within racks, while optical modules enable long-distance high-speed connections across data center rows.

Advanced Layer 2 and Layer 3 Capabilities

The MSN2700-CS2RO supports robust Layer 2 and Layer 3 networking features, enabling deployment in complex enterprise and cloud environments. Advanced routing protocols, virtualization support, and comprehensive management options make this switch suitable for multi-tenant data centers and hybrid cloud infrastructures.

VXLAN and Network Virtualization

As virtualization becomes the standard in modern IT environments, support for VXLAN overlays is critical. The Spectrum-based architecture enables efficient encapsulation and de-encapsulation of VXLAN traffic, facilitating scalable multi-tenant environments. This capability allows organizations to expand their infrastructure without compromising network segmentation or security.

Equal-Cost Multi-Path (ECMP) Routing

ECMP routing enhances bandwidth utilization by distributing traffic across multiple paths. The MSN2700-CS2RO leverages hardware-based ECMP to ensure optimal path selection and improved redundancy. This contributes to fault tolerance and balanced traffic distribution in leaf-spine architectures.

Automation and Open Networking Support

Automation plays a vital role in reducing operational costs and minimizing configuration errors. The Mellanox MSN2700-CS2RO supports open networking standards and integrates seamlessly with automation tools and network operating systems. This ensures compatibility with DevOps workflows and infrastructure-as-code practices.

Open Network Operating System ONIE Compatibility

ONIE support allows administrators to install the network operating system of their choice, providing flexibility and vendor independence. Organizations can select from a variety of supported NOS options to align with their operational strategy and technical requirements.

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Clusters

AI and machine learning applications involve intensive data movement between GPUs and storage systems. With Mellanox technology under the umbrella of :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}, the MSN2700-CS2RO integrates effectively with GPU-accelerated environments, ensuring high-speed communication essential for training large models.

Enterprise Data Center Aggregation

Large enterprises with virtualized environments benefit from the switch’s ability to aggregate server connections at high speeds. Its breakout functionality allows gradual migration from 25GbE to 100GbE without replacing existing cabling infrastructure, protecting investment and simplifying upgrades.

Comprehensive Telemetry and Diagnostics

Built-in telemetry tools offer granular insights into network behavior. Administrators can detect congestion points, identify microbursts, and optimize routing strategies. This level of transparency reduces downtime and improves overall network resilience.

Future-Ready Investment for 100GbE Networks

As data volumes continue to grow exponentially, the need for scalable, high-speed networking solutions becomes more urgent. The Mellanox MSN2700-CS2RO provides a future-ready platform capable of supporting bandwidth-intensive applications and evolving workloads. Its robust hardware design, combined with open networking support, ensures adaptability in dynamic IT environments.