Arista DCS-7280QR-C72-R | 7280R 72-Port Switch, 56x 40G + 16x 100G, 6.4Tbps

Q: What port flexibility does the DCS-7280QR-C72-R offer?
A: The switch provides 72 QSFP ports that can be configured for multiple speeds. You can run all 72 ports at 40G, use 16 ports at 100G with 56 at 40G, or break out ports to support up to 160x 10G or 64x 25G connections using appropriate transceivers and cables. This flexibility allows you to adapt the switch to changing network requirements.

Q: How does the deep buffer architecture benefit my deployment?
A: The 16GB packet buffer with Virtual Output Queue (VOQ) architecture eliminates head-of-line blocking and virtually eliminates packet drops during congested network scenarios. This makes the switch ideal for storage networks, big data analytics, content delivery, and any environment with microburst traffic patterns or in-cast congestion.

Q: What is the difference between the -R and -F suffix models?
A: The -R suffix indicates rear-to-front (reverse) airflow, where cool air enters from the fan/PSU side and exhausts through the port side. The -F variant features front-to-rear airflow (port side to fan side). Choose based on your data center hot-aisle/cold-aisle cooling design requirements.

Q: Does this switch require licensing for Layer 3 features?
A: Arista switches typically include full Layer 2 and Layer 3 functionality in the base Arista EOS operating system without separate feature licenses. Advanced features like VXLAN, EVPN, BGP, OSPF, and MPLS are available through EOS software subscription and support agreements.

Q: Is the DCS-7280QR-C72-R suitable for spine or leaf deployments?
A: Yes, the 7280QR-C72 is versatile for both roles. Its high port density and deep buffers make it excellent as a spine switch in medium to large leaf-spine fabrics. It can also serve as a high-density leaf switch for 40G server connectivity or as a top-of-rack aggregation switch in storage-heavy environments.