Juniper QFX5110-48S 48-Port SFP+ Switch

The Juniper QFX5110-48S 48-Port SFP+ Switch with 4 QSFP28 Uplinks is a high-performance, enterprise-class Ethernet switch designed for data center and campus network deployments requiring scalable, low-latency, and secure switching. As part of the Juniper QFX Series, the QFX5110 delivers advanced Layer 2 and Layer 3 capabilities, rich automation features, and flexible connectivity options that can adapt to evolving network demands with industry-leading reliability and operational efficiency.

High-Density Port Configuration for Flexible Connectivity

The Juniper QFX5110-48S model features 48 x 10GbE SFP+ ports, providing high-density, multi-speed connectivity suitable for top-of-rack data center access or campus distribution layers. Each of the 48 SFP+ ports supports standard 10 Gigabit Ethernet transceivers and can also accept 1GbE optics if required, enhancing flexibility for mixed-rate network environments. In addition to the access ports, this switch includes 4 × QSFP28 uplink ports that can operate as 40GbE or 100GbE ports, or be channelized into multiple 10GbE interfaces using breakout cables. This configuration allows network architects to scale bandwidth seamlessly and support both current and future traffic demands without replacing the core hardware.

Enterprise-Grade Performance and Throughput

The Juniper QFX5110-48S Switch delivers exceptional performance with up to 1.76 Tbps of bidirectional throughput and a forwarding capacity of 1.32 Bpps (billion packets per second). Its packet forwarding engine delivers low-latency, wire-speed performance across all ports, making it an ideal choice for demanding applications such as virtualization, big data analytics, and high-speed east-west traffic within a data center fabric. The switch’s hardware is optimized for predictable performance even under heavy loads, supporting large enterprise workloads with minimal latency and high stability.

Powerful Layer 2 and Layer 3 Capabilities

Running on Juniper’s Junos operating system, the QFX5110-48S supports a robust set of Layer 2 and Layer 3 networking features that enable scalable and resilient network designs. At the Layer 2 level, it provides VLAN segmentation, link aggregation, spanning tree protocols including MSTP, and high-density MAC address tables. For advanced Layer 3 deployments, the switch supports dynamic routing protocols, IPv4/IPv6 routing, and segment routing, allowing for efficient traffic distribution and greater network control in large-scale environments.

Advanced Data Center and EVPN-VXLAN Support

The QFX5110 Series includes cutting-edge overlay networking capabilities, including EVPN-VXLAN support, enabling seamless integration into modern data center fabrics. With VXLAN gateway functionality, the switch can bridge virtual and physical workloads, supporting advanced east-west traffic flows across virtualized environments. These features make the QFX5110 particularly suitable for spine-and-leaf architectures, multi-tenant data centers, and hybrid cloud connectivity.

Reliable, Redundant Hardware Design

Designed for continuous operation in mission-critical networks, the Juniper QFX5110-48S includes redundant power supplies and variable-speed fan modules, ensuring high availability and consistent thermal performance. The switch’s 1U form factor with flexible airflow options (front-to-back or back-to-front) supports data center deployment models that demand precision cooling and rack alignment with other server equipment.

Flexible Optics and Cable Support

The QFX5110 supports a wide range of optical transceivers and cabling options, including SR, LR, DAC (direct attach copper), and AOC (active optical cable) modules. The QSFP28 uplinks, depending on configuration, can be utilized as 100GbE, 40GbE, or broken out into multiple 10GbE links, enabling adaptable connectivity for diverse network architectures. Optical flexibility allows organizations to utilize existing fiber infrastructures while preserving the ability to scale links for higher-speed requirements as bandwidth needs grow.

Intelligent Buffer and Forwarding Table Management

The Juniper QFX5110 is engineered with a Unified Forwarding Table (UFT) that provides configurable partitions for Layer 2 MAC addresses, Layer 3 host entries, and longest prefix match (LPM) routing entries. This advanced buffer and forwarding table design improves network efficiency, especially in mixed traffic environments. In pure Layer 2 usage, the switch supports up to 288,000 MAC addresses, while in Layer 3 modes it enables thousands of IPv4 and IPv6 routes—ensuring optimized performance for large-scale segmentation and routing tasks.

Network Automation and Zero-Touch Provisioning

To support modern operational workflows, the Juniper QFX5110 integrates multiple automation capabilities such as Zero Touch Provisioning (ZTP), scripting through Python, and support for orchestration tools like Ansible, Puppet, and Terraform. These features streamline deployment and configuration, helping network teams reduce manual touchpoints while improving consistency in large-scale environments.

Ideal Deployment Use Cases

The Juniper QFX5110-48S Switch is ideal for:

• Top-of-Rack (ToR) data center access layers

• Leaf nodes in spine-and-leaf architectures

• Campus distribution and core network fabrics

• Hybrid cloud connectivity solutions

• Virtualized server environments requiring high east-west throughput

Scalability and Investment Protection

Organizations choosing the Juniper QFX5110 benefit from a future-ready platform capable of supporting multi-speed access, flexible uplinks, and evolving network services without the need for frequent hardware upgrades. Its scalability makes it suitable for both present and future application workloads, protecting infrastructure investments as network demands grow.

Trusted Source and Official Reference

All technical details in this description are based on Juniper Networks official QFX5110 datasheets and product documentation, ensuring accuracy and reliability. For complete specifications, licensing options, and detailed performance data, consult Juniper Networks documentation:
https://www.juniper.net/us/en/products/switches/qfx-series/qfx5110-ethernet-switch.html