XS-AA-48X10-6X100-AGG

Why This Platform

The XS-AA-48X10-6X100-AGG fills the aggregation and distribution role in campus and enterprise networks. It connects 48 access-layer devices (APs, floor switches, IP cameras, workstations) at 10G SFP+ and uplinks to the core or data center fabric at 100G QSFP28. This 16:1 oversubscription ratio is typical for campus aggregation where traffic patterns are predominantly north-south.

The Marvell Aldrin2 ASIC provides 1.09 Tbps of switching capacity and 600 Mpps forwarding rate 鈥?more than enough for a 48-port 10G platform. The 6 MB packet buffer handles normal campus traffic patterns, though this platform is not designed for the microburst-heavy east-west workloads seen in data centers.

Campus Network Role

In a typical three-tier campus architecture (access 鈫?distribution 鈫?core), this switch sits at the distribution layer. It aggregates traffic from multiple access switches and forwards to the core via 100G uplinks. Common topologies:

• Collapsed core: Two of these switches in MLAG pair, serving as both distribution and core for mid-size campuses (500鈥?,000 endpoints)
• Three-tier: Multiple XS-AA units at distribution, uplinking to dedicated core switches (XS-AA-32X100-CORE or XS-AA-32X400-CORE)
• Branch office: Single switch handling both access and distribution roles for smaller sites with 48 or fewer endpoints

The 6x 100G QSFP28 uplinks provide ample bandwidth for inter-building or inter-floor connectivity. Each 100G port can break out to 4x 25G if needed for connecting to 25G access switches.

Management and Automation

This platform supports both traditional and modern network management approaches:

• Web UI for visual configuration and monitoring (useful for smaller teams)
• CLI for granular control and scripting
• REST API for integration with ITSM and orchestration tools
• gNMI for streaming telemetry and real-time state collection
• SNMP for compatibility with existing NMS platforms

Enterprise SONiC (xSONiC OS profile) provides the underlying network operating system. Teams already running SONiC in their data center can extend the same operational model to the campus network, reducing training overhead and tooling fragmentation.

Physical and Power

At 150W maximum power draw, this switch is efficient for a 48-port 10G platform. The 1+1 hot-pluggable power supplies and 2+1 hot-pluggable fan modules provide redundancy without requiring a full dual-supply chassis. Front-to-rear airflow fits standard rack layouts.

Dimensions: 44 脳 440 脳 470 mm (1RU). Weight: 9.1 kg. Operating temperature: 0鈥?5掳C.