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25GbE open-networking top-of-rack switch
Dell PowerSwitch S5248F-ON
48 x 25GbE server ports with 100/200GbE uplinks for high-performance leaf and top-of-rack deployments.
The Dell PowerSwitch S5248F-ON is a 1U, 25GbE top-of-rack switch designed for modern leaf-spine data-center networks. It combines 48 SFP28 server ports with high-speed 100GbE and 200GbE uplinks, sub-microsecond latency and a full Layer-2/Layer-3 feature set. As an open-networking platform it supports Dell SmartFabric OS10, Enterprise SONiC and third-party network operating systems installed through ONIE, giving you a choice of software stack for virtualized, private-cloud and converged AI/storage fabrics.
Key features
Dense 25GbE server access
Forty-eight SFP28 ports operate at 10GbE or 25GbE, providing high-density server access in a single 1U rack unit.
High-speed uplinks
Four 100GbE QSFP28 ports and two 200GbE QSFP28-DD ports deliver ample uplink bandwidth and flexible breakout options to spine switches.
Open networking choice
Choose Dell SmartFabric OS10, Enterprise SONiC or a third-party NOS over ONIE, avoiding lock-in to a single software stack.
Low-latency cut-through switching
Cut-through forwarding with around 700 ns port-to-port latency keeps east-west traffic fast for demanding workloads.
EVPN and VXLAN fabric support
Hardware VXLAN routing and bridging with BGP EVPN supports scalable, multi-tenant IP fabrics and network virtualization.
Lossless Ethernet
Priority flow control and ECN enable lossless RoCE traffic for GPU computing and NVMe-oF storage on a converged network.
Typical deployments
Top-of-rack server access
High-density 25GbE connectivity for racks of rack and storage servers in enterprise and cloud data centers.
Leaf switch in leaf-spine fabrics
Use as a leaf with 100/200GbE uplinks to spine switches such as the S5232F-ON for predictable east-west bandwidth.
Private cloud and virtualization
VXLAN and BGP EVPN support for scalable, multi-tenant VMware, OpenStack and container infrastructures.
Converged AI and storage networks
Lossless RoCE carries GPU and NVMe-oF storage traffic without building a separate dedicated network.
Dell PowerSwitch S5248F-ON specifications
| Ports | 48 x 10/25GbE SFP28; 4 x 100GbE QSFP28; 2 x 200GbE QSFP28-DD; 1 x 10/100/1000BASE-T management; 1 x RJ45 console; USB |
|---|---|
| Switching capacity | 1.8 Tbps full duplex |
| Forwarding rate | Up to 1,400 Mpps |
| Latency | Approximately 700 ns (cut-through) |
| Packet buffer | 42 MB |
| CPU / memory | Intel Xeon D dual-core; 16 GB SSD; 4 GB system memory |
| Operating systems | Dell SmartFabric OS10, Enterprise SONiC, third-party NOS via ONIE |
| L2 / L3 features | BGP, OSPF, VRRP, VXLAN, BGP EVPN, MLAG, ACLs, QoS, PFC/ECN, sFlow/ERSPAN |
| Form factor | 1U rack mount; front-to-back or back-to-front airflow |
| Power | Hot-swappable redundant PSUs and fans |
Configuration options
Hardware & software
• NOS selection (SmartFabric OS10, Enterprise SONiC or third-party ONIE image)
• Port, breakout and uplink configuration for the leaf-spine cabling plan
Optics & delivery
• SFP28/QSFP28/QSFP28-DD optics and DAC/AOC cable package
• VLAN, BGP EVPN and MLAG reference configuration, plus rails and documentation
Frequently asked questions
What is the Dell PowerSwitch S5248F-ON?
It is a 1U, 25GbE open-networking top-of-rack switch with 48 SFP28 server ports and 100/200GbE uplinks, designed for leaf-spine data-center fabrics.
What ports does it provide?
It has 48 x 10/25GbE SFP28 ports, 4 x 100GbE QSFP28 ports and 2 x 200GbE QSFP28-DD ports, plus a dedicated 1GbE management port and RJ45 console.
What is the switching capacity?
The S5248F-ON provides up to 1.8 Tbps of full-duplex switching capacity and a forwarding rate of up to 1,400 Mpps.
How low is the latency?
Cut-through port-to-port latency is approximately 700 ns, making it suitable for performance-sensitive east-west traffic.
Which operating systems does it support?
It supports Dell SmartFabric OS10 and Enterprise SONiC, as well as third-party network operating systems installed through ONIE.
What is the difference between the S5248F-ON and S5232F-ON?
The S5248F-ON is a 25GbE top-of-rack/leaf switch with 100/200GbE uplinks; the S5232F-ON is a 32-port 100GbE switch typically used as a high-density leaf or spine.
Does the S5248F-ON support VXLAN and BGP EVPN?
Yes. It performs hardware VXLAN routing and bridging with BGP EVPN for scalable, multi-tenant IP fabrics.
Can this 25GbE switch carry lossless RoCE traffic?
Yes. Priority flow control and ECN support lossless Ethernet for RoCE traffic between GPUs and NVMe-oF storage.
Can ports break out?
Yes. The QSFP28 and QSFP28-DD ports support breakouts (for example 100GbE to 4 x 25GbE) with the appropriate cables, which we can supply.
Does it have redundant power and cooling?
Yes. Power supplies and fan modules are hot-swappable and redundant, with selectable front-to-back or back-to-front airflow.
Is it a new, genuine product?
Yes. It is a genuine, current Dell PowerSwitch model supplied with the manufacturer’s standard hardware warranty for the configuration ordered.
Can you configure it before shipping?
Yes. We can install your chosen NOS and an agreed reference configuration, and supply the optics and cables, so the switch is ready to deploy on arrival.
What optics and cables do I need?
This depends on your distances and cabling plan. We supply compatible SFP28, QSFP28 and QSFP28-DD optics and DAC/AOC cables and validate each link.
How do I request a quotation?
Send your server count, access speed and uplink/over-subscription requirements through the contact form and we will prepare a configured quotation.
Related networking systems
Request a configuration and quote
Tell us your server and storage count, access speed and fabric design. Our team will prepare a detailed switch, optics and cabling configuration with a competitive quotation.
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