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N8550-32C VS N8560-32C Data Center Switch, How to Choose?

GeorgeUpdated at Dec 30th 20241 min read

The FS 100G high-performance series switches, N8550-32C and N8560-32C, equipped with PicOS® software and the AmpCon™-DC management platform, are ideal for building modern data center network architectures. Although these two switches share similar names, they differ in performance, features, scalability, and other factors. How do you choose the best switch based on your specific needs? This article offers an in-depth comparison of these two switches, highlighting their unique features and providing valuable insights to guide your purchasing decision.
FS N8550-32C and N8560-32C PicOS® Switch Overview
The N8550-32C and N8560-32C are both Broadcom Trident 3 chip-based 32-port L3 data center switches with 32 100Gb QSFP28 ports in a 1U form factor, running the PicOS® operating system with perpetual license, and support for networking features such as EVPN-VXLAN, MLAG, EVPN Multihoming, RoCEv2, MLAG, EVPN Multihoming, RoCEv2, PFC, and ECN. Both switches are ideally suited for small to medium-sized data centers or large enterprise networks, offering high flexibility, reliability and scalability. However, they differ in specific parameters, as detailed in the table below.
Model
Switch Chip
Broadcom BCM56870 Trident 3
Broadcom BCM56870 Trident 3
CPU
Intel® Xeon® D-1518 4 core 2.2 GHz
Intel® Xeon® D-1527 4 core 2.2 GHz
Ports
32x 100G QSFP28 2x 10Gb SFP+
32x 100G QSFP28
SDRAM
8GB x 2(DDR4)
8GB
Switching Capacity
6.4 Tbps
6.4 Tbps
Forwarding Rate
4700 Mpps
2980 Mpps
Power Supplies
2 (1+1 Redundancy) Hot-swappable, AC
2 (1+1 Redundancy) Hot-swappable, AC
Fans
6 (5+1 Redundancy) Hot-swappable, Back-to-Front
5 (4+1 Redundancy) Hot-swappable, Front-to-Back/Back-to-Front
Max. Power Consumption
550W
450W
Dimensions (HxWxD)
1.71"x 17.26"x 21.1" (43.5x 438.4x 536mm)
1.73"x 17.4"x 22" (44x 442x 560mm)
Weight
22.05 lbs (10kg)
28.2 lbs (12.8kg)
Hardware of N8550-32C and N8560-32C
High-Performance Ports
Both the N8550-32C and N8560-32C switches feature high-speed, low-latency, and low-power port designs to enhance the overall performance of data center networks. High-speed and low-latency ports support fast data transfer, meeting the demands of data-intensive applications and high-performance computing. Additionally, the low-power design optimizes energy usage and reduces heat dissipation, effectively lowering data center operational costs.
N8550-32C: Features 2×10Gb SFP+ ports and 32×100Gb QSFP28 ports. It offers 6.4 Tbps switching capacity and 4700 Mpps forwarding capacity.
N8560-32C: Features 32×100Gb QSFP28 ports. It offers 6.4 Tbps switching capacity and 2980 Mpps Mpps forwarding capacity.
Reliability Design
The N8550-32C and N8560-32C switches feature corrosion-resistant reinforced metal shells and industrial-grade components for reliable performance in demanding environments. They support hot-swappable redundant power supplies to ensure uninterrupted operation during power supply failures. Variable-speed fans automatically adjust to the ambient temperature for efficient cooling and reduced power consumption, enhancing system stability, extending device lifespan, and lowering maintenance costs.
N8550-32C: Equipped with 2 (1+1 redundant) hot-swappable power supplies and 6 (5+1 redundant) hot-swappable smart fans, supporting only back-to-front airflow.
N8560-32C: Equipped with 2 (1+1 redundant) hot-swappable power supplies and 5 (4+1 redundant) hot-swappable smart fans, supporting front-to-back and back-to-front airflow directions.
You can choose the appropriate fan and power supply configurations to bring out the best performance of the switch, depending on the layout requirements of our data center.
Software of N8550-32C and N8560-32C
Unified Management Platform
N8550-32C and N8560-32C come equipped with the unified PicOS® software and the AmpCon™-DC management platform, supporting automated configuration and management, boosting efficiency and stability.
Through the AmpCon™-DC management platform, you can achieve automated deployment and zero-touch configuration, remotely deploying hundreds or thousands of switches in one go, even for non-technical users.
Additionally, the platform uses telemetry technology to stream real-time data, application usage, and system configurations, allowing for network performance monitoring. Topology auto-discovery feature provides a network view with switch statistics and port health status, simplifying network management.
Network Security
Both switches support security features, including ACL, 802.1X, AAA, DAI, and DHCP Snooping, providing flexible user authentication and access control to enhance security and optimize resource utilization.
At the same time, PicOS® features a modular design, allowing independent operation and updates of components. This architecture enables seamless integration of new features and simplifies maintenance and troubleshooting.
Functionality Protocols
The N8550-32C and N8560-32C support a comprehensive set of Layer 2 and 3 features, including MLAG, BGP, OSPF, and advanced virtualization technologies like EVPN-VXLAN.
MLAG provides link redundancy and load balancing, while EVPN-VXLAN enables seamless cross-data center connectivity, simplifying management and supporting efficient multi-tenant environments. Besides, PFC, ECN, and RoCEv2 technologies help alleviate network congestion and ensure smooth data transmission.
How to Choose?
After the introduction above, you can choose the right switch based on the following factors
Performance
The N8550-32C boasts a forwarding rate of up to 4700 Mpps, surpassing the N8560-32C's 2980 Mpps. This makes it better suited for handling high-traffic, high-density networks. For data centers or networks that require high throughput and low latency, the N8550-32C is the optimal choice, especially in core layer switching and large-scale environments.
The N8550-32C has 16GB of memory (8GB x 2), while the N8560-32C only has 8 GB. The larger memory enhances concurrent processing capabilities and cache performance, making it especially suitable for scenarios that require high throughput, large routing tables, and complex data forwarding.
If you require a high-performance, scalable switch, we recommend choosing the N8550-32C.
Energy Efficiency
The higher forwarding rate of the N8550-32C requires more computing and processing power, resulting in higher power consumption than the N8560-32C. In contrast, the N8560-32C offers lower power consumption while maintaining reasonable performance, making it ideal for scenarios with lighter network loads or a focus on power efficiency.
For data centers with high energy cost concerns or strict heat dissipation requirements, the N8560-32C is a good choice due to its energy-saving design and environmental benefits.
Flexibility
The N8560-32C supports the flexibility to configure more different types of ports over branch cables. It features 32×100Gb QSFP28 ports that can be configured as 32×40Gb ports or converted to 4×10/25GbE ports or 2×50GbE ports via branch cables.
This design enhances deployment flexibility, making it well-suited for a variety of network environments, especially those requiring frequent port reconfigurations or support for diverse network devices. If you need more port flexibility, we recommend the N8560-32C.
Ultimately, both switches embody the flexibility, programmability, and scalability offered by PicOS®. By selecting based on the data center's layout requirements, performance needs, and operational demands, you can confidently choose a switch that enhances network efficiency and reliability.
If you want to learn more about the PicOS® switches used in FS data centers, try PicOS-V for free. We will provide you with professional technical support and customized services.