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 — 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 → distribution → 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 (500–2,000 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 × 440 × 470 mm (1RU). Weight: 9.1 kg. Operating temperature:
0–45°C.
