Asterfusion SONiC based 32-Port QSFP-DD Data center Switch Overview
With the scale development and industry application of cloud computing, VR/AR, automatic driving, artificial intelligence, etc., while improving people's life and enhancing the innovation ability of enterprises, the bandwidth requirement for data centers has increased by more than 50% annually, and in addition, cloud computing has fundamentally changed the computing model and traffic model, and the network flow direction has changed from the traditional north-south traffic to the horizontal traffic between IDCs and IDCs, or between resource pools. The proportion of horizontal traffic between data centers is gradually increasing, which requires that data center interconnection network must have greater bandwidth capacity, and 400GE becomes the primary focus of data center construction.
Join us today as we explore the ins and outs of Asterfusion’s remarkable 32x400G switch CX732Q-N through a detailed teardown. Boasting a sleek design coupled with high performance, the Asterfusion 400G switch is arguably the best-value-for-money 32x400G switch available at the global market!
So, let’s dive in and uncover what makes this switch the best price/performance ratio!
01 Asterfusion 32-Port 400G Switch CX732Q-N External Hardware Overview
On the front panel, you’ll find an impressive 32 x 400G ports (QSFP-DD) that also support multiple speeds, including 10G/25G/40G/100G/200G. This versatile setup ensures a seamless transition from your existing 25GE/40GE network to advanced 100GE/400GE, safeguarding your previous investments.
The CX732Q-N provides a MGMT RJ45, a USB2.0, and a RJ45 console interface. As you can see, there are 4 LED indicators here. From top to bottom, they correspond to the status of the 2 PSUs (P1, P2) and the fans (F), and the last one is used to locate the device (L).
Take note of an exceptional feature: the Asterfusion CX732Q-N supplies two extra 10G SFP+ ports dedicated to enhanced management functions like in-band network telemetry (INT). This consideration is vital, as each port on a 400G switch bears a considerable workload. Should any problems arise, their impact is significantly amplified—demanding more meticulous real-time traffic monitoring.
More about in-band network telemetry can be found in the following article: https://cloudswit.ch/blogs/what-is-int%ef%bc%88in-band-network-telemetry%ef%bc%89/
On the rear of the unit, there are 6 fans (5+1 redundancy) which are, of course, hot-swappable. Both sides have a hot-swappable PSU(1000W 80Plus Platinum).
02 Asterfusion 32 X QSFP-DD Switch Internal Hardware Overview
Now, let’s take the top cover off and delve into the inner workings of this superbly designed switch hardware. You’ll quickly notice a compact, elegant and sleek framework within this powerhouse device.
First and foremost, feast your eyes on the captivating ASIC module nestled at the front and center of the box, right below the black windshield.
It powered by none other than the Marvell Teralynx 7, which delivers unparalleled performance, featuring large buffers and exceptional analytics through fine-grain telemetry. It exhibits the industry’s best power efficiency in terms of performance per watt. Additionally, it boasts very low latency, making it a top choice in terms of switch performance.
You’ll soon witness the low latency test results for devices boasting the TL7 chip at the end of articel.
Now, let’s talk about the ingenious Vapor Chamber technology for ASIC cooling. As you can see, that black windshield tightly embracing the heatsink’s top does more than just look good – it directs airflow with purpose, forcing it to exit through the heatsink for top-notch cooling efficiency.
Oh, and don’t miss that airflow design (lower-left figure) inside the box. It cleverly separates the PSU and chip areas. Right next to that ASIC module, you’ve got your 400G QSFP-DD cages sporting their own heatsinks up top.
Thanks to this stellar thermal setup, there’s no need to cram in extra fans to keep temperatures in check. Our engineers believe that 6 fan modules can meet the overall heat dissipation requirements. Remember – fewer components often translate to lower power consumption and cost.
Finally, cast your eyes on that exposed CPLD on the fan control PCB, which is used to monitor the fan and auto-adjusts the fan speed according to the temperature changes. This reduces energy consumption even further.
We can also see the Baseboard Management Controller (BMC) in the picture. Also following the concept of minimalist and sleek design, this 400G switch does not require an additional card for this purpose – the functionality is integrated directly into the baseboard ( “On-board BMC”), thus reducing the incidence of switch hardware failures.
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