Arista DCS-7280CR3A-72-F | 7280R3A 72-Port 100G QSFP Switch, 7.2Tbps

Q: What routing scale does the DCS-7280CR3A-72-F support?
A: The standard CR3A-72 model supports standard routing tables suitable for data center leaf and spine deployments. For internet-scale routing with over 5 million IPv4 routes, consider the DCS-7280CR3AK-72 variant with FlexRoute technology.

Q: Can this switch be used in a spine or leaf role?
A: Yes, the 72-port 100G density makes it ideal for both spine and leaf roles in large-scale data center fabrics. The deep 8 GB packet buffers and VOQ architecture handle high-traffic loads and prevent head-of-line blocking, making it particularly well-suited for spine deployments.

Q: What is the difference between the -F, -R, and # suffix models?
A: The -F suffix denotes front-to-rear airflow (cool air enters the port side), -R indicates rear-to-front airflow, and # denotes configurable fans and power supplies ordered separately to match your data center's hot/cold aisle design.

Q: Does this model support MACsec encryption?
A: No, the base DCS-7280CR3A-72-F does not include encryption. For MACsec and TunnelSec encryption capabilities, you need the DCS-7280CR3AM-72-F or DCS-7280CR3AK-72-F variants.

Q: What optics and cables are compatible with the QSFP100 ports?
A: The QSFP100 ports support a wide range of 100G, 50G, 40G (QSFP+), 25G, and 10G transceivers and DAC/AOC cables. Each port can be broken out to multiple lower-speed interfaces using breakout cables. Consult Arista's transceiver compatibility matrix for specific part numbers.