Arista DCS-7050TX3-48C8-R | 7050X3 48-Port 10GBaseT Switch, 8x 100G QSFP28

Q: What deployment scenarios is the DCS-7050TX3-48C8-R best suited for?
A: This switch is ideal for top-of-rack deployments in data centers requiring high-density 10GBaseT copper connectivity with scalable 100G uplinks. It excels in leaf-spine architectures, supporting both legacy 1G and modern 10G server connections with wire-speed performance and ultra-low latency.

Q: Can the QSFP28 uplink ports support multiple speeds?
A: Yes, all 8 QSFP28 uplink ports support flexible speeds including 100GbE, 50GbE, 40GbE, and 25GbE (with breakout cables), allowing you to adapt to different spine switch requirements or migrate from 40G to 100G infrastructure without hardware changes.

Q: Does this switch require any software licenses for Layer 3 features?
A: The switch runs Arista EOS, and advanced Layer 3 features such as BGP, OSPF, IS-IS, PIM, and NAT require the Enhanced L3 License (LIC-FIX-2-E). Basic Layer 2 features and RIPv2 are available without additional licensing. Virtualization features like VXLAN require the LIC-FIX-2-V license.

Q: What is the significance of the -R suffix in the model number?
A: The -R suffix indicates rear-to-front (back-to-front) airflow, which is optimized for hot-aisle/cold-aisle data center deployments where cool air enters from the front and exhausts out the back. The switch includes matching power supplies (PWR-511-AC-BLUE) and fan modules designed for this airflow direction.

Q: Is this switch compatible with existing Arista network infrastructure?
A: Yes, the 7050X3 series runs the same Arista EOS operating system as all Arista platforms, ensuring consistent features, management interfaces, and operational workflows. It integrates seamlessly with CloudVision for centralized management and supports Zero Touch Provisioning (ZTP) for automated deployment.