S6720S-26Q-EI-24S-DC

The Huawei S6720S-26Q-EI-24S-DC is a high-performance, fixed 10 Gigabit Ethernet (GE) switch from Huawei’s S6720-EI series. The “EI” (Enhanced Version) designation signifies a comprehensive feature set, including advanced routing, security, and QoS capabilities, making it suitable for demanding enterprise campus networks, data centers, and metropolitan area networks (MANs).

The key distinguishing factor for this model is the “-DC” suffix, indicating that it is designed to operate with a DC (Direct Current) power supply. This makes it an ideal choice for environments where DC power is standard, such as telecommunications equipment rooms, central offices, or specific data center power distribution architectures.

Here’s a breakdown of its key features and typical applications:

Key Features:

• 24 x 10GE SFP+ Ports: This provides a high density of 10 Gigabit fiber ports, perfect for connecting a large number of servers in a data center, or for providing 10GE access to high-performance workstations and aggregating traffic from other access layer switches in a campus network. These ports generally support auto-negotiation down to 1GE speeds for compatibility.
• 2 x 40GE QSFP+ Fixed Uplink Ports: These two 40 Gigabit Ethernet ports offer significant bandwidth for uplinks to the core or aggregation layer of the network. Each 40GE QSFP+ port can typically be split into four 10GE SFP+ ports using breakout cables, offering flexibility for additional 10GE connectivity (effectively providing up to 32 x 10GE ports when 40GE ports are broken out).
• DC Power Supply and Dual Pluggable Slots: The “-DC” indicates that it comes with a DC power supply. It features two pluggable power supply slots, allowing for 1+1 power redundancy. This is crucial for high availability and continuous operation, as the switch can continue to function even if one DC power supply unit fails. Compatible DC power modules (e.g., 170W DC power modules like ES5M0PSD1700 or 350W DC power modules) would be used for redundancy.
• No Extended Slot: This specific model has a fixed port configuration and does not support additional extended slots for modular interface cards.
• High Performance:
  • Switching Capacity: 2.56 Tbit/s (Terabits per second). This substantial capacity ensures wire-speed, non-blocking forwarding across all ports, even under heavy traffic loads.
  • Packet Forwarding Rate: 480 Mpps (Million packets per second). This metric highlights its efficient processing of a large volume of network packets.
• Enhanced Routing Capabilities (EI Features): As an “EI” series switch, it provides robust Layer 3 features, including:
  • Comprehensive IPv4/IPv6 Routing: Supports a wide array of routing protocols like Static, RIP, OSPF, IS-IS, BGP, VRRP, ECMP (Equal-Cost Multi-Path), and policy-based routing.
  • MPLS and VPLS Support: The EI series often includes support for MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching) and VPLS (Virtual Private LAN Service), enabling carrier-grade VPN services and advanced traffic engineering.
  • Large MAC Address Table: Supports a large MAC address table (e.g., 288K MAC address entries), suitable for high-density environments.
• Robust Security: The switch integrates extensive security measures:
  • Defense against DoS, ARP, and ICMP flood attacks.
  • DHCP snooping, IP source guard, and strict ARP learning to prevent IP/MAC spoofing.
  • 802.1X, MAC address authentication, and portal authentication for granular user and device access control.
  • MACsec (Media Access Control Security) for hardware-based encryption of Ethernet frames.
• Sophisticated QoS (Quality of Service): Provides advanced QoS mechanisms for traffic prioritization:
  • Flexible traffic classification based on various criteria (e.g., 5-tuple, IP precedence, DSCP, VLAN ID, CoS).
  • Flow-based two-rate three-color CAR (Committed Access Rate).
  • Multiple queue scheduling algorithms (WRR, DRR, PQ, WRR+PQ, DRR+PQ) and WRED (Weighted Random Early Detection) for congestion avoidance, ensuring high-quality voice, video, and data services.
• High Reliability: Designed for maximum network uptime with numerous redundancy protocols:
  • STP/RSTP/MSTP for loop prevention.
  • RRPP (Rapid Ring Protection Protocol), Smart Link, SEP (Smart Ethernet Protection), and G.8032 ERPS (Ethernet Ring Protection Switching) for millisecond-level protection switchover.
  • E-trunk for inter-device link aggregation.
  • BFD (Bidirectional Forwarding Detection) for rapid fault detection.
• Flexible Management and iStack:
  • iStack Technology: Allows multiple physical switches to be virtualized into a single logical switch, simplifying management, enhancing scalability, and improving overall network resilience. Any 10GE SFP+ or 40GE QSFP+ ports can be configured as stack ports.
  • Supports various management interfaces, including CLI, Web-based NMS, and SNMPv1/v2c/v3.
  • Features like automatic configuration, plug-and-play, and USB-based deployment streamline operations.
• Compact Design: This model typically features a compact depth (e.g., 220mm), making it suitable for installation in shallow cabinets.

Typical Applications:

• Data Center Access Layer (DC Powered): Given its high density of 10GE SFP+ ports and DC power capability, it’s an excellent choice for providing high-bandwidth access to servers in data center racks, especially in facilities that standardize on DC power infrastructure. The 40GE uplinks connect to spine or aggregation switches.
• Telecommunications Rooms and Central Offices: Ideal for deployment in telecommunications facilities where DC power is the standard for network equipment, providing high-speed aggregation for various services.
• Campus Network Aggregation/Core (DC Powered): Can function as an aggregation or even a small core switch in large enterprise or educational campus networks, if the campus infrastructure utilizes DC power, aggregating traffic from access layer switches and providing high-speed connectivity.

The S6720S-26Q-EI-24S-DC is a robust and feature-rich switch, offering a powerful combination of 10GE access, 40GE uplinks, and comprehensive enterprise-grade features, specifically designed for environments that leverage DC power for their network infrastructure.