NVIDIA Spectrum MSN4600-CS2F 100GbE Data Center Switch

1. MSN4600-CS2F Product Overview

The MSN4600-CS2F is a high-performance, open Ethernet network switch designed for modern data center spine and leaf applications. Part of the NVIDIA Spectrum SN4000 series, this 2U platform delivers 64 ports of 100GbE connectivity, powered by the groundbreaking Spectrum-3 ASIC. It offers a non-blocking switching capacity of 6.4 Tb/s and supports a flexible range of port speeds from 10G to 100G, making it ideal for scalable cloud, enterprise, and high-performance computing environments. This SN 2000 series equivalent provides exceptional agility, visibility, and performance for demanding network infrastructures.

2. Key Characteristics

• 64 x QSFP28 ports supporting 10/25/40/50/100GbE speeds
• 6.4 Tb/s bidirectional switching capacity
• 64 MB fully shared packet buffer
• Hardware-accelerated telemetry with WJH (What Just Happened?)
• Support for multiple NOS options including Cumulus Linux and ONIE
• Hot-swappable power supplies and fans for high availability
• Open Ethernet architecture for reduced vendor lock-in

3. Core Technologies

The MSN4600-CS2F leverages NVIDIA's Spectrum-3 ASIC, which incorporates advanced technologies including:

• VXLAN routing and bridging with single-pass processing
• RoCE (RDMA over Converged Ethernet) support for low-latency applications
• Programmable pipeline with deep packet inspection (up to 512 bytes)
• In-band network telemetry (INT) and streaming telemetry
• 512K flow counters and hardware-accelerated histograms
• Support for ECMP (128-way) and multi-chassis LAG

4. Working Principle

The network switch operates on a cut-through switching architecture, minimizing latency while maintaining line-rate performance. The Spectrum-3 ASIC processes packets through a fully shared buffer architecture, ensuring fair bandwidth allocation and preventing head-of-line blocking. The switch supports both layer 2 and layer 3 forwarding, with advanced features implemented in hardware for optimal performance. The open Ethernet design allows operators to choose their network operating system, which runs on the switch's x86 CPU and communicates with the ASIC through standardized drivers.

5. Applications & Usage

The MSN4600-CS2F is ideal for:

• Data center spine and leaf architectures
• Cloud infrastructure and hyper-scale data centers
• High-performance computing clusters
• AI and machine learning workloads
• Storage area networks (SAN) and hyperconverged infrastructure
• Financial services and high-frequency trading environments

6. Technical Specifications

7. Advantages & Selling Points

• Superior price/performance ratio compared to proprietary alternatives
• Full protocol flexibility with open Ethernet architecture
• Advanced telemetry capabilities for rapid troubleshooting
• Consistent low latency across all port speeds
• Future-proof design supporting emerging protocols and speeds
• Comprehensive RoCE support for GPU-direct applications
• Proven reliability in demanding data center environments

8. Service & Support

All NVIDIA Spectrum switches include a 1-year limited hardware warranty with 14-business day repair turnaround. Optional service enhancements include next-business-day advance replacement and 4-hour technician dispatch. Our technical team provides 24/7 consultation and support services, ensuring minimal downtime and optimal performance of your network switch infrastructure. The SN 2000 series is backed by our global support network with expertise in data center networking.

9. Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What networking operating systems are supported on the MSN4600-CS2F?
A: The switch supports NVIDIA Onyx (pre-installed), Cumulus Linux, SONiC, and any ONIE-compatible NOS.

Q: Can the 100GbE ports be split to lower speeds?
A: Yes, each QSFP28 port can be split to 4x10G, 4x25G, or 2x50G configurations using appropriate breakout cables.

Q: What is the power consumption of this switch?
A: Typical power consumption is 450W with both power supplies active, varying based on port utilization and transceivers.

Q: Does this switch support redundant power?
A: Yes, it includes two hot-swappable power supplies with 1+1 redundancy.

Q: What makes this network switch different from traditional options?
A: The open Ethernet design eliminates vendor lock-in, provides greater flexibility, and typically offers better cost efficiency than proprietary solutions.

10. Important Precautions

• Ensure adequate clearance for airflow around the switch (minimum 3 inches front and back)
• Verify compatibility of transceivers and cables before deployment
• Follow electrostatic discharge (ESD) precautions during installation
• Maintain operating temperature between 0°C to 40°C and humidity between 5% to 85%
• Ensure proper grounding of the rack and equipment
• Use only NVIDIA-qualified optics and cables for guaranteed performance
• Complies with safety standards: CB, CE, cTUVus, CU; EMC standards: CE, ICES, FCC, RCM, VCCI

11. Company Introduction

With over 10 years of industry experience, we have established ourselves as a leading provider of high-quality networking solutions. Our extensive factory facilities and strong technical team support enable us to deliver products at competitive prices without compromising on quality. We represent premier brands including Mellanox, Ruckus, Aruba, and Extreme, offering genuine brand-new networking equipment including switches, network adapters, wireless access points, controllers, and cabling solutions.

Our inventory exceeds 10 million units, ensuring we can meet large-volume requirements with diverse product options. We provide comprehensive customer service with 24/7 consultation and technical support, ensuring accurate delivery and seamless integration of your networking infrastructure. Our professional sales and technical teams have earned us a high reputation in global markets, making us a trusted partner for businesses worldwide.