Mellanox Half-Width 16-Port Non-Blocking 100GbE Open Ethernet Switch System

Engineered for today’s demanding data centers, the Mellanox SN2100 Half-Width Open Ethernet Switch System delivers dense 100GbE connectivity in a compact 1U form factor. With 16 ports of 100GbE in a half-width chassis and scalable capacity that can grow to 64 ports of 25GbE in 1U, this switch is designed to meet evolving workloads—from high-performance databases and storage backplanes to cloud-scale deployments. Its non-blocking fabric ensures predictable, wire-speed performance under heavy traffic, while the Open Ethernet architecture provides flexibility for bare-metal deployments, software-defined networks, and modern orchestration tooling. The SN2100 is a purpose-built solution for data center architects who demand both performance and adaptability in a compact footprint.

• High-density design: half-width SN2100 with 16x100GbE ports in 1U, delivering exceptional port density without sacrificing rack space.
• Non-blocking fabric: delivers line-rate performance with ultra-low latency, ensuring consistent throughput for databases, virtualization, and data-intensive workloads.
• Open Ethernet compatibility: supports open networking standards and workflows, enabling seamless integration with white-box, software-defined networks, and orchestration platforms.
• Scalability for future growth: capability to scale up to 64x25GbE ports in 1U, allowing gradual capacity expansion as your data center workloads evolve.
• Designed for reliability and efficiency: engineered for dense data centers with robust thermal management and components built for 24/7 operation in peak environments.

Technical Details of Mellanox Half-Width 16-Port Non-Blocking 100GbE Open Ethernet Switch System

• Port configuration: 16 x 100GbE ports in a half-width 1U form factor.
• Fabric type: non-blocking switching fabric designed for line-rate performance on all ports.
• Form factor: half-width 1U switch chassis optimized for dense rack deployments.
• Expansion capabilities: scalable framework that supports growth toward up to 64 x 25GbE ports within the same 1U footprint.
• Open Ethernet: built to integrate with open networking ecosystems and standard management interfaces for flexible deployments.
• Deployment use cases: ideal for database acceleration, storage networks, data centers, and high-throughput server interconnects.
• Reliability features: designed for continuous operation with efficient cooling and robust hardware architecture.
• Management approach: supports standard management protocols and open control planes to fit diverse network environments.

How to Install Mellanox Half-Width 16-Port Non-Blocking 100GbE Open Ethernet Switch System

• Unpack and inspect: verify package contents, confirm the SN2100 and all interconnect components are present, and check for any transit damage before installation.
• Rack mounting: install the half-width switch into a compatible 1U rack enclosure, ensuring proper alignment with rails and secure mounting to prevent vibration or movement.
• Power and cooling: connect to a reliable power source with appropriate voltage, and ensure the chassis has adequate airflow for optimal thermal performance.
• Network connections: attach 16 x 100GbE cables to the switch ports, following your planned topology for leaf-spine, aggregation, or fabric interconnect layouts.
• Initial configuration: boot the switch and access the management interface through the designated console or management IP. Configure basic settings such as IP addressing, DNS, NTP, and login credentials.
• Open Ethernet and integration: align the switch with your open-networking stack or SDN controller. Apply your required policies, routing, and fabric configurations to enable seamless interoperability with other devices in the data center.
• Monitoring and validation: enable health checks, performance telemetry, and logging. Validate throughput with representative traffic to confirm line-rate performance on all 16 100GbE ports.

Frequently asked questions

• What is the Mellanox SN2100 Half-Width Open Ethernet Switch System? The SN2100 is a high-density, half-width 1U switch featuring 16 ports of 100GbE, designed for non-blocking performance and open networking deployments in modern data centers.
• What workloads is this switch best suited for? It is well suited for database connectivity, storage networks, data center interconnects, virtualization environments, and high-throughput server interconnects that require deterministic, low-latency performance.
• Can the SN2100 scale beyond 16x100GbE ports? Yes. The system is designed to scale to up to 64x25GbE ports in 1U, enabling flexible growth as bandwidth demands increase.
• Is this switch compatible with Open Ethernet and SDN architectures? Yes. It is built to integrate with open networking standards and modern SDN workflows, facilitating seamless integration with bare-metal deployments and orchestration tools.
• How do I manage and monitor the SN2100? The switch supports standard management interfaces and APIs commonly used in open networking environments, allowing administrators to monitor performance, configure policies, and automate operations.