Arista DCS-7280CR3AK-24D12-R | 7280R3A 24-Port 100G Switch, 12x 400G QSFP-DD, Layer 3

Q: What network architectures does the DCS-7280CR3AK-24D12-R support?
A: This switch supports multiple data center architectures including Layer 2 MLAG for active-active redundancy, Layer 3 ECMP for scalable spine-leaf designs, and EVPN-VXLAN overlay networks. It is ideal for cloud data centers, IP storage networks, content delivery networks, and service provider environments requiring high-density 100G and 400G connectivity.

Q: What is TunnelSec and how does it benefit my deployment?
A: TunnelSec is Arista's advanced encryption technology that provides wire-speed AES-256-GCM encryption on all interface speeds from 10G to 400G without performance penalty. It delivers standards-based Layer 2 or Layer 3 encryption for secure connectivity within data centers and across wide area networks, replacing costly appliance-based encryption solutions.

Q: Does this model require licensing for full functionality?
A: The DCS-7280CR3AK-24D12-R includes large routing table support out of the box. However, encryption features like TunnelSec and Enhanced MACsec require an EOS license file to activate. Additional FlexRoute licenses are available for extending routing scale beyond base capabilities, supporting up to 2M+ routes for internet peering applications.

Q: What breakout options are supported on this switch?
A: The 24x QSFP100 ports support flexible breakout configurations including 10G, 25G, 40G, 50G, and 100G speeds. The 12x QSFP-DD ports support 400G, 200G, and 4x 100G breakout modes. This flexibility allows you to scale from 36 ports to over 116 logical interfaces depending on your speed requirements and transceiver selection.

Q: What makes the rear-to-front airflow important?
A: The rear-to-front airflow designation indicates that cool air is drawn from the rear of the switch and exhausted from the front. This is critical for proper data center hot-aisle/cold-aisle design. Ensure your rack layout matches this airflow pattern, with the rear of the switch facing the cold aisle for optimal cooling efficiency and equipment longevity.