Arista DCS-7516N-CH | 7500R 16-Slot Modular Data Center Chassis, 29RU

Q: What line cards are compatible with the DCS-7516N-CH chassis?
A: The 7516N chassis supports all 7500R Series line cards, including 36-port 100G QSFP, 36-port 40G QSFP, and 48-port 10G SFP+ with 100G uplinks. It is also backward compatible with 7500E line cards for investment protection.

Q: What is the difference between the DCS-7516N-CH and earlier 7500 series chassis?
A: The 7516N is part of the 7500R generation, offering higher throughput (150Tbps), support for 100G line cards, and enhanced fabric modules. It maintains compatibility with earlier 7500E components while delivering improved performance and density.

Q: How many power supplies does the DCS-7516N-CH require?
A: The chassis can accommodate up to 12 redundant 3kW power supplies. The exact number required depends on the line cards installed and redundancy requirements. Typical fully loaded configurations use 12 power supplies for N+N redundancy.

Q: What mounting options are available for the 7516N chassis?
A: The 7516N requires a four-post rack with a specialized shelf mounting system due to its 29RU height and weight. The mounting hardware includes shelf supports and alignment hardware for both threaded and unthreaded rack posts.

Q: Can I mix different generations of line cards in the 7516N chassis?
A: Yes, the 7516N chassis supports a flexible mix of 7500R and 7500E line cards, allowing you to scale capacity incrementally while protecting existing hardware investments. However, the chassis is optimized for 7500R Series line cards for maximum throughput.