Arista DCS-7170-32C-M-R | 7170 32-Port 100GbE QSFP28 Programmable Switch, 6.4Tbps

Q: What makes the DCS-7170-32C-M-R programmable?
A: The switch is built on the Intel Tofino programmable packet processor, allowing the entire forwarding pipeline to be customized using P4 language. This enables advanced use cases like custom telemetry, network security functions, tunnel termination, and network address translation without hardware changes.

Q: What is the difference between the M-R and standard 32C-R models?
A: The M-R variant includes expanded memory and an integrated SSD storage module, making it suitable for applications requiring enhanced buffering, larger flow tables, or local data logging capabilities. The standard 32C-R has standard memory configurations.

Q: Can this switch be deployed as both leaf and spine?
A: Yes, the DCS-7170-32C-M-R is optimized for deployment in both leaf and spine tiers of modern data center networks, as well as centralized service nodes. Its programmable architecture allows it to be configured with different forwarding profiles to suit each role.

Q: What licensing is required for the DCS-7170-32C-M-R?
A: The switch uses the same Group 2 fixed license structure as other Arista 7000 series platforms. Optional licenses include Enhanced L3 for advanced routing protocols, Virtualization for VXLAN and VMTracer, and Monitoring & Automation for ZTP and telemetry features.

Q: Does the DCS-7170-32C-M-R support breakout cables?
A: Yes, the 32 QSFP28 ports support breakout configurations, allowing each 100GbE port to be split into 4x 25GbE or 4x 10GbE connections, providing up to 128 lower-speed ports for flexible connectivity options.