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How to Build a Future-Proof Campus Network with 10G Switches

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Network Switches
IT Hardware Experts
author https://network-switch.com/pages/about-us

The modern campus network has become the digital backbone of education, enterprises, and government institutions. With the surge of Wi-Fi 6/7 access points, IP surveillance, cloud workloads, and multimedia collaboration, yesterday’s Gigabit switches can no longer keep up.

In 2025, IT leaders planning campus upgrades are looking beyond simple Gigabit access. The new standard is 10G access with 40G/100G uplinks, VXLAN virtualization, stacking for scalability, and integrated security and wireless control. This guide explores how to design a future-ready campus network and compares three leading families of campus switches: Huawei CloudEngine S6730-H, Cisco Catalyst 9300, and Ruijie S6510.

Why 10G Switches Are Essential for Campus Networks?

  • Wi-Fi 6/7 AP Backhaul: A single modern access point can push multiple Gbps. With dozens or hundreds per campus, 1G uplinks choke.
  • Data-Intensive Applications: Online learning, 4K streaming, AI research, and cloud-based workloads all demand high bandwidth.
  • IoT and Security Cameras: Massive growth in connected devices requires both power (PoE) and throughput.
  • Multi-Building Campuses: Aggregating traffic from multiple sites requires 40G or 100G uplinks to prevent bottlenecks.

💡 The takeaway: 10G access with 40/100G uplinks is no longer optional—it is essential for modern campus networks.

10g-switch-for-campus-lan-network

Key Features of a Future-Proof Campus Switch

Feature Why It Matters What to Look For
High Uplink Capacity Prevents core congestion 40G or 100G QSFP28 uplinks
VXLAN & Virtualization Isolates tenants/departments VXLAN L2/L3 gateway, BGP-EVPN
Stacking Scales capacity & simplifies management ≥8-device stack support
Resiliency Ensures continuous uptime Hot-swappable PSUs, fan redundancy
Unified Wired/Wireless Control Centralizes AP management Integrated WLAN AC functions
Automation & Visibility Simplifies O&M Telemetry, iPCA, Netconf API
Advanced Security Protects against attacks ECA, MACsec, TrustSec, threat analytics

Huawei CloudEngine S6730-H Series

The Huawei S6730-H48X6C is a flagship 10G campus switch designed for next-generation networks.

  • 48 × 10G SFP+ ports + 6 × 40/100G QSFP28 uplinks
  • VXLAN & BGP-EVPN for multi-tenant campus segmentation
  • Integrated AC controller for managing 1,000+ APs
  • iPCA & Telemetry for real-time performance monitoring
  • Dual PSU design for high availability

Best for: Universities and large enterprises that need unified wired/wireless control, high AP density, and VXLAN scalability.

Cisco Catalyst 9300 Series

Cisco’s Catalyst 9300 family is widely regarded as the industry’s most versatile enterprise campus switch. It offers multiple SKUs to match different deployment needs:

  • 24-Port Non-PoE: C9300-24T-A, C9300-24T-E
  • 24-Port PoE+: C9300-24P-A, C9300-24P-E
  • 48-Port Non-PoE: C9300-48T-A, C9300-48T-E
  • 48-Port PoE+: C9300-48P-A, C9300-48P-E

Key capabilities:

  • StackWise-480 stacking up to 480 Gbps
  • DNA Center integration for automation & assurance
  • Advanced security: TrustSec, MACsec, segmentation policies
  • Rich PoE options for dense AP or IoT environments

Best for: Enterprises or government agencies already invested in Cisco’s ecosystem and requiring seamless integration with Cisco routers, APs, and DNA Center.

View all

Ruijie S6510 Series

Ruijie-RG-S6510-4C_2

The Ruijie RG-S6510 series is a high-performance and cost-effective alternative for campus cores and aggregation.

  • RG-S6510-4C: Modular chassis switch
  • RG-S6510-48VS8CQ: 48 × 10G downlinks + 8 × 100G uplinks
  • RG-S6510-32CQ: 32 × 100G high-density ports

Key capabilities:

  • VSU virtualization to stack multiple devices as one
  • High-density 10G/100G ports at competitive pricing
  • Energy-efficient design with redundant power/fans
  • Strong fit for budget-conscious universities and large SMB campuses

Best for: Large-scale campus backbones and SMBs needing high-density 10G/100G at lower TCO.

Other Brand Alternatives

While Huawei, Cisco, and Ruijie are the top picks for SMB and campus networks, other enterprise vendors also offer competitive switches:

Juniper EX2300 / EX3400

  • Strengths: Junos OS, Virtual Chassis stacking, enterprise reliability
  • Weakness: Pricing is higher; not always cost-effective for SMB campuses

HPE Aruba 2530 / 2540

  • Strengths: Integration with Aruba Wi-Fi, simplified management and security
  • Weakness: Many models limited to 1G/2.5G uplinks; 10G models come at a premium

Dell N2000 / N3000

  • Strengths: Familiar CLI, stacking support, integration with Dell server ecosystem
  • Weakness: Channel coverage and after-sales service vary by region

💡 Overall: While Juniper, HPE, and Dell offer stable platforms, their higher pricing and limited SMB support make Huawei, Cisco, and Ruijie more practical for most campus deployments.

Which Switch for Which Campus Scenario?

Scenario Recommended Switch Why
University with 1,000+ APs Huawei S6730-H48X6C 10G access + 100G uplinks + integrated AC
Enterprise with Cisco ecosystem Cisco Catalyst C9300-24P-E DNA Center integration, advanced security
Large SMB campus backbone Ruijie RG-S6510-48VS8CQ High-density 10G + 100G uplinks at lower cost
Research institute/data interconnect Ruijie RG-S6510-32CQ 32 × 100G ports for heavy workloads
Mixed-use campus labs Cisco C9300-48P-E PoE+ support for APs, cameras, and IoT

Why Buy from Network-Switch.com (NS)?

  • Authorized reseller of Huawei, Cisco, and Ruijie
  • 3-year warranty, 30-day returns, and 1-year spare parts replacement
  • Transparent SMB-friendly pricing with enterprise-grade support
  • Procurement-friendly options: bulk orders, invoicing, contracts
  • Pre- and post-sales technical support for smoother deployments

With NS, you’re not just buying hardware—you’re securing a trusted partner for building and maintaining your campus network.

FAQ – Common Buyer Questions

Q1: Why upgrade from 1G to 10G in campus networks?
A: Because modern APs, IoT, and cloud workloads easily exceed 1G capacity.

Q2: Do Huawei S6730 switches support 100G uplinks?
A: Yes, QSFP28 uplinks are upgradeable to 100G via license.

Q3: Can Cisco Catalyst 9300 stack with older Catalyst models?
A: No, it stacks only with other C9300 units via StackWise.

Q4: How many APs can Huawei S6730 manage directly?
A: Up to 1,000+ APs via its integrated AC controller.

Q5: Does Ruijie S6510 support VXLAN?
A: Yes, it supports VSU virtualization and VXLAN for large campus segmentation.

Q6: Which model is best for a budget-conscious university?
A: Ruijie RG-S6510-48VS8CQ, balancing cost with high uplink density.

Q7: Which is stronger for security, Huawei or Cisco?
A: Cisco Catalyst 9300 has advanced features like TrustSec and MACsec; Huawei offers ECA and traffic analytics.

Q8: Are all three families IPv6 ready?
A: Yes, they fully support IPv6 routing and management.

Q9: Which is easier to manage for SMB IT staff?
A: Cisco Catalyst 9300 with Business Dashboard/DNA Center; Huawei and Ruijie require more CLI expertise.

Q10: What warranty do I get with NS?
A: 3 years standard, 30-day returns, and 1-year part replacement.

Conclusion – Our Top Picks for 2025

  • Huawei CloudEngine S6730-H48X6C → Best all-rounder for large campuses needing AP management, VXLAN scalability, and future-proof uplinks.
  • Cisco Catalyst C9300-24P-E → Best for enterprises already in the Cisco ecosystem, with superior security and seamless DNA integration.
  • Ruijie RG-S6510-48VS8CQ → Best value-driven core switch, offering dense 10G access with 100G uplinks at competitive pricing for SMB universities and enterprise campuses.

👉 All are available via Network-Switch.com, your trusted authorized reseller offering genuine hardware, transparent pricing, and enterprise-grade support.

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