Arista DCS-7280PR3-24-M | 7280R3 24-Port 400G OSFP Switch Router, 9.6Tbps

Q: What is the difference between the DCS-7280PR3-24-M and standard DCS-7280PR3-24 models?
A: The -M suffix indicates expanded memory configuration with up to 32GB DRAM compared to standard models. The -M variant also features configurable fans and power supplies, allowing you to select airflow direction and power type to match your data center hot/cold aisle design. This flexibility is essential for optimizing thermal management in diverse deployment scenarios.

Q: Can this switch support both 400G and 100G ports simultaneously?
A: Yes, the 24 OSFP ports support flexible port speeds and breakout configurations. Each 400G OSFP port can operate as native 400G or break out to 4x100G, allowing mixed configurations up to 96x100G total. The switch also supports 200G, 50G, and 40G modes using appropriate transceivers and cables, providing maximum deployment flexibility.

Q: What routing capabilities does the 7280R3 Series support?
A: The DCS-7280PR3-24-M features Arista's FlexRoute engine supporting up to 1.3 million IPv4 routes with hardware-accelerated Layer 3 forwarding, making it suitable for Internet peering and large-scale routing deployments. It supports advanced protocols including BGP, OSPF, IS-IS, VXLAN, EVPN, Segment Routing, and MPLS. For even larger routing tables, consider the R3K variant which scales to over 2.5M routes.

Q: Is this switch suitable for AI/ML and high-performance computing environments?
A: Absolutely. The 16GB deep packet buffer with Virtual Output Queuing eliminates head-of-line blocking, providing lossless forwarding essential for distributed AI/ML training, high-performance storage, and analytics workloads. The ultra-low 3.8 microsecond latency and 9.6Tbps wire-speed performance ensure predictable, consistent application performance even under heavy traffic loads.

Q: What licensing is required for advanced features?
A: The base model includes standard Layer 2 and Layer 3 features. For advanced functionality including full internet routing scale, EVPN, VXLAN, Segment Routing, and advanced MPLS features, an optional FLX or FLX-Lite license is available. CloudVision integration for centralized management and automation requires a separate CloudVision subscription.