Arista DCS-7280CR3AK-72-F | 7280R3A 72-Port 100G Switch, 14.4 Tbps, 2RU

Q: What makes the DCS-7280CR3AK-72-F suitable for large-scale data centers?
A: The DCS-7280CR3AK-72-F is designed for hyperscale environments with support for over 5 million IP routes using FlexRoute technology, 72 ports of 100GbE connectivity, and deep packet buffers that eliminate packet drops even under heavy congestion. It's ideal for data center spine roles, internet peering, and content delivery networks requiring massive routing scale and lossless performance.

Q: Does this switch support encryption capabilities?
A: Yes, the K-series model includes Enhanced MACsec with Arista TunnelSec technology, providing line-rate AES-256-GCM encryption. It supports IEEE 802.1AE MACsec for link-layer encryption, as well as IPsec and VXLANsec for encrypted tunnels over layer 3 networks, making it suitable for secure data center interconnect and WAN deployments.

Q: Can the 100GbE ports be broken out to lower speeds?
A: Yes, the QSFP ports support flexible breakout configurations including 4x25G, 4x10G, 2x50G, and 1x40G modes using compatible optics and cables. This provides deployment flexibility for mixed-speed environments and gradual migration from 10G/25G to 100G connectivity.

Q: What is the difference between the R3A, R3AM, and R3AK models?
A: The 7280R3A Series offers three tiers: Standard (R3A) provides base forwarding resources, Encryption (R3AM) adds TunnelSec encryption capabilities, and Large Scale plus Encryption (R3AK) combines both enhanced encryption and massively scalable routing tables with over 5 million routes. The K-series is optimized for internet peering and carrier-grade routing applications.

Q: What power supply options are available?
A: The DCS-7280CR3AK-72-F ships with 2 x AC power supplies (PWR-1511-AC, 1500W each) configured for front-to-rear airflow. DC power supply options (PWR-1511-DC) are also available. Power supplies are hot-swappable for redundancy and maintenance without downtime.