Huawei S5720H Series Switch: Gigabit Core & PoE+ Campus Switches

The Huawei S5720H series represents a powerful line of gigabit switches designed for enterprise campus core and distribution networks. Based on Huawei’s VRP V200 operating system, it blends high forwarding performance, PoE+ capability, rich port options, and advanced programmability.

The S5720H lineup caters to demanding network requirements—supporting up to 1,150 W of Power over Ethernet, extensive routing functions, and intelligent stacking support (iStack and SVF).

Whether deployed as a campus core or high-density access aggregation switch, S5720H offers an effective and cost-efficient alternative to traditional enterprise switches.

Overview

Huawei released the S5720H series in 2014 as a successor to earlier S5700 models, featuring:

Gigabit and 10 GE connectivity: Up to 48 GE ports plus four 10 GE SFP+ uplinks.
High PoE+ budget: Up to approximately 600–1,150 W, covering dense AP deployments.
Stacking capabilities: iStack (up to 9 units) and SVF Client deployment for simplified management.
Gigabit performance: Forwarding rates as high as 192 Mpps.
Layer 2/3 protocols: OSPF, BGP, RIP, VRRP, ACLs, multicast, IPv6, and security features.
SDN and programmable support: Compatible with Huawei Intelligent Controller or CloudEngine controllers for modern network automation.

Technical Specifications Comparison

Feature	S5720H Highlights
Switching Capacity	598 Gbps backplane
Forwarding Rate	Up to ~192 Mpps
Gigabit Ports	Up to 48 GE (RJ-45)
10 GE Uplinks	4×10 GE SFP+
PoE+ Capability	Models support 600 W – 1,150 W budgets
Stacking Support	iStack (up to 9 members), SVF Client
Layer 3 Features	OSPF, BGP4+/ECMP, RIP, IPv6, VRRP
Security & QoS	802.1X, ARP/DHCP snooping, ACLs, QoS, RMON
SDN & O&M	Programmable VRP, Huawei iMaster, cloud-managed
Power Redundancy	Dual AC/DC PSU options

Model Examples

Model	Ports	Uplinks	PoE Budget	iStack / SVF	Forwarding
S5720‑56C‑PWR‑HI‑AC	48 GE + 4×10GE SFP+	Dual AC PSU	~1,150 W PoE+	Yes	~192 Mpps
S5720‑56C‑HI‑AC	48 GE + 4×10GE SFP+	Single AC PSU	600 W PoE+	Yes	~168 Mpps
S5720‑32C‑HI‑24S‑AC	32 GE + 24×SFP GE + 4×10GE	Slots for expansion	1,150 W PoE+	Yes	~176 Mpps

Key insights:

All models offer high port densities with strong uplink capacity.
High PoE-power models center on 48 GE ports and full PoE+ budgets.
Modular configuration allows flexible expansion for diverse network setups.

Key Features

High-density access with uplink flexibility
– Supports RJ‑45 and gigabit SFP uplinks, ideal for campus or data center edge layers.
Rich PoE+ support
– Provides up to 1,150 W, critical for powering Wi-Fi 6 APs, VoIP phones, and IP cameras in large deployments.
Robust Layer 3 and routing capabilities
– Supports OSPF, BGP4+, ECMP, IPv6, VRRP, and multicast, simplifying complex routing in campus networks.
Reliable stacking and fabric-based management
– iStack and SVF support ensure simplified device management and fast failover recovery.
Advanced security and QoS
– Supports 802.1X, ACLs, DHCP/ARP snooping, rate limiting, and traffic prioritization.
SDN and programmable features
– Compatible with Huawei controllers for dynamic flow control and policy-based configurations.
Power resilience
– Dual AC/DC hot-swappable power supplies enable high availability and fault tolerance.

Deployment Scenarios

Scenario	Recommended Model	Benefits
Campus core/distribution switch	S5720‑56C‑HI	High throughput, redundant power, core-level routing
High-density PoE access layer	S5720‑56C‑PWR‑HI‑AC	Up to 1,150 W for dense AP environments
Campus aggregation	S5720‑32C‑HI‑AC	Modular uplinks and full Layer 3 support
Standalone enterprise access switch	S5720‑56C‑HI‑AC	Compact, secure, and efficient PoE+ solution

Best practices:

Maintain a PoE budget with 25% headroom.
Stack using iStack and plan backup links for resiliency.
Use VRRP and redundant uplinks for core deployment protection.

Deployment Recommendations

Plan PoE carefully: Add 20–30% buffer to anticipated power draw for APs or cameras.
Enable redundancy: Use VRRP and dual uplink designs.
Stack/fabricify network: Deploy iStack or SVF for easy management and resilience.
Engage programmable workflows: Use Huawei iMaster or equivalent for SDN control.
Maintain OS updates: Adopt VRP V200 or newer firmware, and follow Huawei release advisories.

FAQ Section

Q1: What makes the S5720H series suitable for campus cores?
A: With 598 Gbps backplane, 192 Mpps forwarding, dual power, and full Layer 3 support, it delivers enterprise-class performance for campus backbones.

Q2. How much PoE+ power can it deliver?
A: Depending on the model, PoE‑capable S5720H units offer between 600 W and 1,150 W total budget.

Q3. Can it participate in stacking or fabric?
A: Yes. Up to nine devices can stack via iStack and operate as SVF clients, simplifying management and redundancy.

Q4. Does it support SDN?
A: Yes—programmable via VRP and compatible with Huawei’s iMaster or Controller platforms for dynamic flow and policy control.

Q5. What Layer 3 protocols are supported?
A: OSPF, BGP4+, RIP, VRRP, ECMP, IPv6, multicast (PIM-SM), and comprehensive routing policies.

Q6. How secure and reliable is S5720H?
A: It includes 802.1X, ACLs, DHCP/ARP snooping, resilient fan and PSU design, and strong documentation & support.

Q7. How does it compare price-wise with Cisco?
A: Huawei’s S5720H often offers equivalent enterprise-grade features at ~30–40% lower cost.

Conclusion

The Huawei S5720H series stands out as a robust, efficient, and feature-rich option for enterprise campus cores and high-density PoE deployments. Equipped with performance comparable to leading vendors, high PoE budgets, extensive Layer 3 protocols, and SDN functionality, it offers a future-proof solution at a significantly lower cost.

Whether you need core, aggregation, or access-layer switches, S5720H delivers flexibility, power, and scalability. For decision-makers, begin with reviewing port and PoE requirements, evaluate how many units to stack, and test in live environments to realize its benefits. The S5720H series is a trustworthy investment for modern campus infrastructure.

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Huawei S5720H Series: High‑Performance Gigabit Campus/Core Switches