Arista DCS-7280SR3M-48YC8-F | 7280R3 48-Port 25G Switch, MACsec, 8x 100G QSFP28

Q: What is MACsec and why is it important on this switch?
A: MACsec (IEEE 802.1AE) provides line-rate AES-256-GCM encryption at the data link layer, securing traffic between network devices. The DCS-7280SR3M-48YC8-F supports hardware-based MACsec on all 48x 25GbE and 8x 100GbE ports, enabling point-to-point encryption without performance degradation. This is critical for securing data center interconnects, financial services networks, and compliance-driven environments requiring encrypted east-west traffic.

Q: Can the QSFP28 uplinks be used at different speeds?
A: Yes, the 8x QSFP28 ports support flexible speed options including 100GbE, 40GbE, and breakout configurations to 4x 25GbE or 4x 10GbE per port. This provides deployment flexibility for various uplink requirements, from high-speed spine connectivity to distributed server connections. Breakout support requires compatible cables or optics and EOS configuration.

Q: What is the difference between the SR3M and standard SR3 models?
A: The SR3M variant includes hardware-based MACsec encryption capabilities on all ports, while the standard SR3 model does not. Both share the same port configuration (48x 25GbE + 8x 100GbE) and performance characteristics, but the SR3M adds AES-256 encryption for environments requiring data-in-transit security without impacting forwarding performance.

Q: Is this switch suitable for leaf-spine data center architectures?
A: Absolutely. The DCS-7280SR3M-48YC8-F is purpose-built for modern leaf-spine designs, offering high-density 25GbE server connectivity with 100GbE spine uplinks. The deep 4GB buffer, low latency, and support for VXLAN, EVPN, and ECMP make it ideal for cloud-scale data centers requiring predictable performance and east-west traffic optimization.

Q: What airflow direction does the -F model suffix indicate?
A: The -F suffix denotes front-to-rear (intake to exhaust) airflow, designed for standard data center hot-aisle/cold-aisle configurations where cool air enters from the front and exhausts out the rear. For rear-to-front airflow requirements, the -R variant is available. Both models feature redundant hot-swappable fans and dual AC power supplies.