Arista 7280QR-C36-R Switch

Key Features of the 7280QR Switch

High-Performance Data Center Switching

The Arista DCS-7280QR-C36-R represents a significant advancement in data center switching technology, delivering exceptional performance for demanding network environments. This powerful platform from Arista Networks combines remarkable bandwidth capacity with reliable data transmission capabilities, making the DCS-7280QR-C36-R suitable for mission-critical applications. The DCS-7280QR-C36-R can be configured with a combination of high-speed ports, including configurations with 24x 40Gb QSFP+ and 12x 100Gb QSFP28 interfaces, providing flexible connectivity options for diverse deployment scenarios.

With its sophisticated architecture, the 7280QR-C36-R delivers consistent, predictable performance even under demanding workloads. Organizations implementing the DCS-7280QR-C36-R experience improved application responsiveness and enhanced operational efficiency, directly contributing to better business outcomes. Arista Networks has thoroughly tested the DCS-7280QR-C36-R to ensure reliable operation in the most demanding environments, providing customers with confidence in their purchase decision and long-term investment protection.

Specialized Cooling Design for Modern Data Centers

The Arista DCS-7280QR-C36-R implements an innovative thermal architecture optimized for specific data center cooling requirements. The “R” in DCS-7280QR-C36-R specifically indicates rear-to-front airflow, where cool air is drawn in from the rear (non-port side) and hot air is exhausted from the front (port side) of the switch. This specialized design makes the 7280QR-C36-R ideal for data centers with reverse airflow requirements or hot-aisle/cold-aisle configurations where equipment faces hot aisles.

Unlike some competitors that offer limited cooling options, the DCS-7280QR-C36-R is part of Arista’s flexible switch portfolio that includes multiple airflow variants to accommodate diverse data center designs. This demonstrates Arista Networks’ commitment to meeting specific customer requirements rather than forcing data centers to adapt to limited equipment options. The DCS-7280QR-C36-R’s thermal design contributes to overall data center efficiency while ensuring optimal operation of the switch itself, making it an ideal choice for facilities with specific cooling architectures.

Advanced Monitoring and Network Intelligence

The DCS-7280QR-C36-R features sophisticated monitoring capabilities that provide deep visibility into network performance and health. Through Arista’s advanced monitoring tools, the 7280QR-C36-R enables real-time tracking of traffic patterns, queue utilization, and system resources, allowing network administrators to proactively address potential issues before they impact service. The DCS-7280QR-C36-R supports comprehensive telemetry features that stream detailed operational data to management systems for analysis and visualization.

Network operators can leverage the DCS-7280QR-C36-R’s monitoring capabilities to optimize performance, plan capacity expansions, and troubleshoot complex issues with greater efficiency. The DCS-7280QR-C36-R integrates with Arista’s network-wide visibility tools to provide cohesive monitoring across heterogeneous environments. This advanced monitoring ecosystem makes the 7280QR-C36-R an ideal platform for organizations that require deep network insights to support mission-critical services and applications.

Consistent Software Platform with Enterprise Features

The DCS-7280QR-C36-R runs Arista’s EOS (Extensible Operating System), a modern, programmable network operating system that enhances both functionality and manageability. EOS provides the 7280QR-C36-R with a stable, feature-rich foundation that supports advanced networking protocols alongside programmability features that simplify automation. The DCS-7280QR-C36-R benefits from EOS’s unique architecture that separates the control plane from the data plane, ensuring continued forwarding even during control plane operations.

Network administrators can leverage the DCS-7280QR-C36-R’s programmable interfaces to implement data-driven operational models that improve efficiency and reduce management complexity. The 7280QR-C36-R supports sophisticated features that enable seamless integration with existing management frameworks and automation tools. These capabilities make the DCS-7280QR-C36-R an ideal platform for organizations focused on building modern, programmable network infrastructures that deliver both performance and operational excellence.

Specifications of the 7280QR Switch

Hardware Specifications

The Arista DCS-7280QR-C36-R features a robust hardware platform engineered for reliability and performance in demanding data center environments:

The DCS-7280QR-C36-R is designed with reliability as a core principle, featuring redundant power supplies and cooling components that ensure continued operation even in demanding conditions. Each port on the 7280QR-C36-R supports a variety of transceivers, providing flexible connectivity options for diverse deployment scenarios. The switch includes hardware acceleration for routing and switching functions, ensuring wire-speed performance across all ports simultaneously.

Software Capabilities

The DCS-7280QR-C36-R runs Arista EOS (Extensible Operating System), providing a comprehensive set of networking features:

The DCS-7280QR-C36-R benefits from Arista’s consistent EOS software across its entire product line, ensuring operational consistency when deploying mixed hardware platforms. Arista Networks provides regular software updates for the 7280QR-C36-R, delivering both new features and security patches to maintain optimal functionality. The software architecture of the DCS-7280QR-C36-R supports hitless upgrades, allowing software updates without service interruption.

Performance Specifications

The DCS-7280QR-C36-R delivers exceptional performance metrics suitable for demanding data center applications:

The DCS-7280QR-C36-R provides the processing capacity required for large-scale data centers with substantial routing and switching requirements. Its deep buffer architecture ensures consistent performance during traffic microbursts that are common in modern applications. The 7280QR-C36-R’s forwarding capabilities maintain deterministic performance even when multiple features are enabled simultaneously.

Comparison with Related Models

The DCS-7280QR-C36-R offers specific advantages compared to other models in the Arista 7280 Series:

The DCS-7280QR-C36-R is positioned as a high-performance solution within the 7280 series from Arista, with specialized cooling design for specific data center requirements. The “R” in DCS-7280QR-C36-R denotes the rear-to-front airflow direction, in contrast to the standard front-to-rear airflow in the DCS-7280QR-C36-F. Both new and refurbished units of the DCS-7280QR-C36-R are available in the market, with refurbished options offering additional value while maintaining Arista’s quality standards and support options.

At Network Republic, our end-user accounts are covered by a 1-Year Warranty on all hardware—whether New, New Open Box, New Pull, Refurbished, or Refurbished by Manufacturer —from the date of delivery. This warranty covers hardware defects under normal use and allows for repair, replacement, or in-house credit at our discretion.

For resellers and wholesale purchases, we offer a 30-Day Warranty limited strictly to functional issues or defects upon arrival, including dead-on-arrival (DOA) items; it does not apply to problems arising after prolonged use. Resellers are responsible for inspecting and testing products within the 30-day window. This warranty excludes accidental damage, misuse, cosmetic wear, third-party modifications, and software-related issues unrelated to hardware failure. Check out our full warranty policy here.

Software licenses are not covered under the standard return and warranty policies and need to be activated on the hardware within 7 days of receipt. Any issues need to be reported immediately, within 10 days, so we can issue an exchange. Under no circumstances will refunds be issued for software licenses.