Arista DCS-7170-32CD-R | 7170 32-Port 100G QSFP Programmable Switch, 6.4Tbps

Q: What makes the DCS-7170-32CD-R programmable?
A: This switch is built on Intel Barefoot Tofino architecture with 24 programmable Match-Action pipeline stages. It supports P4 programming language for custom data plane features, allowing you to add new protocols, encapsulations, and telemetry functions through software updates without hardware changes. Arista EOS provides multiple forwarding profiles optimized for different use cases.

Q: Can the 100GbE ports be broken out to lower speeds?
A: Yes, each QSFP100 port supports flexible breakout configurations including 1x 100G, 1x 40G, 2x 50G, 4x 25G, or 4x 10G depending on the optics and cabling used. This allows you to adapt the switch to various server and network connectivity requirements without replacing hardware.

Q: What is the difference between the 7170-32C and 7170-32CD models?
A: The 7170-32CD is a dual-pipeline variant with 24 programmable stages optimized for regular scale deployments, while the 7170-32C offers more pipeline stages for higher scale and more complex programmable features. Both deliver the same 32x 100G port density and 6.4 Tbps throughput in 1RU.

Q: What airflow direction does the R-series designation indicate?
A: The R-series designation indicates rear-to-front airflow, where cool air is drawn in from the rear of the switch and exhausted out the front. This is designed for racks where cold air is supplied at the rear. The F-series equivalent offers front-to-rear airflow for traditional cold-aisle configurations.

Q: Does this switch require separate licensing for Layer 3 features?
A: The base switch includes comprehensive Layer 2 and basic Layer 3 capabilities. Advanced features such as full BGP/OSPF/ISIS routing, VXLAN, EVPN, and enhanced telemetry may require optional Arista feature licenses such as Enhanced L3, Virtualization, or Monitoring & Automation licenses depending on your deployment requirements.