S6730S-S24X6Q-A

The Huawei S6730S-S24X6Q-A is a high-performance 10 Gigabit Ethernet (GE) fixed switch, part of the CloudEngine S6730-S series. This series is designed to provide high-speed access for 10 Gbit/s to high-density servers or function as a core/aggregation switch on campus networks with 40 Gbit/s rates.

The “S” in S6730S-S24X6Q-A typically indicates a specific variant or market positioning within the S6730-S line. The “-A” at the end suggests it’s an AC (Alternating Current) powered model.

Here’s an introduction to its key features and typical applications:

Key Features:

• Fixed Ports:
  • 24 x 10GE SFP+ ports: These provide high-density 10 Gigabit fiber connectivity, suitable for connecting numerous servers in a data center or aggregating traffic from access layer switches in a campus environment. These ports generally support auto-sensing down to 1GE speeds.
  • 6 x 40GE QSFP+ ports: These provide high-bandwidth uplinks to the aggregation or core layer of the network. Each 40GE QSFP+ port can typically be split into four 10GE SFP+ ports using breakout cables, offering further flexibility for 10GE connectivity.
• Dual Pluggable Power Supply Slots: The switch supports two pluggable power supply slots, allowing for 1+1 power redundancy. This is crucial for ensuring high availability and continuous operation, as the switch can function even if one power supply fails. It supports both AC (e.g., 600W AC) and DC (e.g., 1000W DC) power modules, and can often mix them for redundancy.
• Performance:
  • Switching Capacity: 960 Gbit/s / 2.4 Tbit/s (different sources provide slightly varying numbers, but it’s in this high range, indicating wire-speed forwarding).
  • Packet Forwarding Rate: 480 Mpps / 490 Mpps (Million packets per second), ensuring efficient processing of a large volume of network traffic.
  • MAC Address Table: Supports up to 64K MAC address entries, sufficient for large network deployments.
• Advanced Networking Capabilities:
  • Layer 2 and Layer 3 Features: Supports a comprehensive set of Layer 2 features (VLANs, GVRP, MUX VLAN, QinQ) and Layer 3 routing protocols (Static, RIP, OSPF, IS-IS, BGP, ECMP, routing policy) for building complex and scalable networks.
  • VXLAN Support: Capable of supporting Virtual Extensible LAN (VXLAN) for network virtualization. This enables the creation of multiple virtual networks over a single physical infrastructure, crucial for cloud-ready data centers and multi-tenant environments. It supports both centralized and distributed VXLAN gateway deployment and BGP EVPN for dynamic tunnel establishment.
  • Super Virtual Fabric (SVF): Allows multiple physical switches to be virtualized into a single logical switch, simplifying management and improving network scalability and resilience. It can act as a parent node to manage downstream switches and APs.
  • iStack Technology: Similar to SVF, iStack enables stacking of multiple switches for simplified management, increased port density, and enhanced reliability with inter-device link aggregation.
• Comprehensive Security: Integrates robust security features:
  • Defense against various attacks (DoS, ARP, ICMP flood).
  • DHCP snooping, IP source guard, strict ARP learning.
  • 802.1X, MAC address authentication, and portal authentication for access control.
  • Encrypted Communication Analytics (ECA): Uses built-in probes to identify and analyze encrypted malicious traffic.
  • Threat Trap Technology: Functions as a sensor to detect threats (like scanning) and can lure threat traffic to honeypots for deeper analysis and defense policy creation.
• Quality of Service (QoS): Provides advanced QoS mechanisms to prioritize critical services:
  • Flexible traffic classification, policing, and shaping.
  • Multiple queue scheduling algorithms (WRR, DRR, PQ, WRR+PQ, DRR+PQ) and WRED for congestion avoidance, ensuring performance for delay-sensitive applications.
• High Reliability: Designed for maximum network uptime:
  • 1+1 power redundancy, hot-swappable power modules and fans.
  • Extensive set of redundancy protocols: STP/RSTP/MSTP, Huawei-developed Smart Ethernet Protection (SEP), and G.8032 ERPS for rapid protection switchover.
  • Smart Link and VRRP for uplink backup and improved access device reliability.
  • BFD (Bidirectional Forwarding Detection) for rapid fault detection.
• Intelligent Operations and Maintenance (O&M):
  • Telemetry: Real-time collection of device data to Huawei’s CampusInsight for network analysis.
  • iPCA (Packet Conservation Algorithm for Internet): Monitors network quality for any service flow, providing real-time data on packet loss and latency for precise fault location without requiring simulated traffic.
  • Supports intelligent O&M features for audio and video services, including enhanced Media Delivery Index (eMDI).

Typical Applications:

• Data Center Access Layer: Provides high-speed 10GE access for high-density servers in data centers, with 40GE uplinks connecting to spine or aggregation switches.
• Campus Network Aggregation/Core: Functions as a robust aggregation or even core switch in large enterprise or educational campus networks, aggregating traffic from access layer switches and providing high-speed connectivity to the rest of the network.
• High-Speed Wi-Fi 6 Access Point Aggregation: Ideal for aggregating traffic from modern Wi-Fi 6 Access Points that require higher backhaul bandwidth.

The S6730S-S24X6Q-A is a versatile and powerful switch well-suited for building scalable, reliable, and secure next-generation enterprise and data center networks that demand high 10GE access density and robust 40GE uplinks, along with advanced virtualization and intelligent O&M capabilities.