Arista's 7060X, 7260X and 7280R families all carry 100GbE ports, but they are built for different jobs. The 7060X and 7260X switches aim at low latency, measured in nanoseconds; the 7280R switch routers carry packet buffers measured in gigabytes. This guide sets the families side by side and covers the 7280R2 generation and the older 7280E. Every figure comes from Arista's data sheets and end of sale notices, listed under Sources.
The short answer
Choose the 7060X or 7260X when latency matters most: the DCS-7060CX-32S switches at 450 ns. Choose the 7280R when deep buffers matter: the 2RU DCS-7280CR2-60 has a 24 GB buffer, where a 7060X model measures its buffer in megabytes. For 400GbE or 800G links, the 7060X4 and 7060X5 generations give 25.6 Tbps and more in a 32 port switch.
The models side by side
| Model | Ports | Switching capacity | Latency | Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DCS-7060CX-32S | 32 x 100GbE QSFP100, 2 x SFP+ | 6.4 Tbps | 450 ns | Not stated |
| DCS-7060SX2-48YC6 | 48 x 25GbE SFP25, 6 x 100GbE QSFP100 | 3.6 Tbps | 450 ns | Not stated |
| DCS-7060DX4-32 | 32 x 400GbE QSFP-DD, 2 x SFP+ | 25.6 Tbps | 700 ns | Not stated |
| DCS-7060DX5-64 | 32 x 800G QSFP-DD, 2 x SFP+ | 25.6 (51.2) Tbps | 825 ns | Not stated |
| DCS-7260CX-64 | 64 x 100GbE QSFP100, 2 x SFP+ | 12.8 Tbps | 550 to 1500 ns | 2RU |
| DCS-7260CX3-64 | 64 port 100GbE | 6.4 (12.8) Tbps | 450 ns | 2 RU |
| DCS-7280CR2-60 | 60 x 100GbE QSFP100 | 12 Tbps, 5.02 Bpps | From 3.8 microseconds | 2RU |
| DCS-7280QR-C36 | 24 x 40GbE QSFP+, 12 x 100GbE QSFP100 | 4.32 Tbps | From 3.8 microseconds | 1RU |
7060X: 32 ports from 100GbE to 800G
The DCS-7060CX-32S has 32 100GbE QSFP100 ports and 2 SFP+ ports, 6.4 Tbps and 450 ns of latency. The 7060X2 generation keeps the shape on the DCS-7060CX2-32S and adds the DCS-7060SX2-48YC6, with 48 25GbE SFP25 ports and 6 100GbE ports at 3.6 Tbps. The later generations move up in port speed: the 7060X4 DCS-7060DX4-32 has 32 400GbE QSFP-DD ports at 25.6 Tbps and 700 ns, and the 7060X5 DCS-7060DX5-64 has 32 800G QSFP-DD ports at 25.6 (51.2) Tbps and 825 ns.
7260X: 64 ports in 2RU
The DCS-7260CX-64 doubles the port count into 2RU: 64 100GbE QSFP100 ports and 2 SFP+ ports, 12.8 Tbps and latency from 550 to 1500 ns. The 7260X3 DCS-7260CX3-64 gives 6.4 (12.8) Tbps at 450 ns in 2 RU. The choice between the two families comes down to rack space and port count: a 7060X model puts 32 ports in a switch, a 7260X model 64 ports in 2RU, and the 7260X3 brings the latency of the 2RU switch down to the 450 ns of the 32 port DCS-7060CX-32S.
7280R and 7280R2: switch routers with deep buffers
In the 7280R generation the DCS-7280SR-48C6 has 48 10GbE SFP+ ports and 6 100GbE ports at 2.16 Tbps, the DCS-7280TR-48C6 puts 48 10GbE RJ45 ports in place of the SFP+ ones, the DCS-7280QR-C36 has 24 40GbE and 12 100GbE QSFP ports at 4.32 Tbps, and the 2RU DCS-7280QR-C72 has 72 QSFP ports at 6.4 Tbps. Latency starts at 3.8 microseconds. The 7280R2 generation carries the deep buffers: the DCS-7280CR2-60 has 60 100GbE ports, 12 Tbps, 5.02 Bpps and a 24 GB buffer in 2RU, the DCS-7280CR2A-30 and DCS-7280CR2K-30 give 6 Tbps, and the 1RU DCS-7280SR2K-48C6 has 24 10GbE, 24 25GbE and 6 100GbE ports with a 4 GB buffer. The older 7280E DCS-7280SE-64 has 48 10GbE SFP+ and 4 40GbE QSFP+ ports.
What to check before you buy
- Latency or buffer: the 7060X and 7260X switch in nanoseconds; the 7280R2 buffers in gigabytes.
- The port speed: 100GbE QSFP100 on the DCS-7060CX-32S and DCS-7260CX-64, 400GbE QSFP-DD on the DCS-7060DX4-32, 800G QSFP-DD on the DCS-7060DX5-64.
- The generation digit: 7060CX2 and 7280CR2 are second generation parts, and a different family page lists each.
- The last letter: F moves air front to rear and R rear to front.
- Rack space: the 7260X models and the DCS-7280CR2-60 and DCS-7280QR-C72 are 2RU.
Lifecycle: what the dates mean
Arista's notice for select 7280SE models gives June 20, 2019 as the last day to order the DCS-7280SE-64. For the 7060CX, 7060CX2 and 7060SX2 end of sale dates and replacements, read Arista 7060CX and 7060SX2 end of sale. A switch keeps forwarding after its end of sale; a spare of the same part number keeps a rack matched.
Where to look
Each family has its own page listing what is in stock: the 7060X, the 7260X, the 7280R and the 7280R2, with the whole 7280 line. Pages in stock today include the DCS-7280CR2-60-F, the DCS-7280QR-C36-F, the DCS-7060CX-32S-F and the DCS-7260CX3-64-F. For the whole maker, read the Arista guide. Request a quote for a part that is not listed, or sell the switches you retire.
