Enterprise and campus networks seek compact yet powerful switches for demanding aggregation layers. The Huawei S6720S‑26Q‑EI‑24S‑AC delivers—combining 24×10 GE access with 2×40 GE uplinks, rich Layer‑3 competency, VXLAN support, and intelligent O&M tools.
As a standout Aggregation Switch and Core Switch, it offers edge-to-core flexibility in a space-saving chassis.
Product Overview & Specifications
Specification | Details |
Model | S6720S‑26Q‑EI‑24S‑AC |
Downlinks | 24 × 10 GE SFP+ |
Uplinks | 2 × 40 GE QSFP+ |
Switching Capacity | 2.56 Tbps |
Forwarding Rate | 480 Mpps |
Stacking | Via any 10 GE SFP+ or QSFP+ ports (max 16/2) |
MAC Table | 288K entries |
VLANs & Multicast | 4K VLANs; IGMP/MLD snooping & proxy |
Power Supply | Dual hot-swappable AC (170 W) |
Cooling / Noise | 3 built-in fans; < 67 dB(A) noise |
Compact yet high-performing, this 1U switch fits in shallow cabinets without sacrificing core features.
Deep Dive into Core Features
📡 High-Density 10/40GE Connectivity
Offers 24 full-rate 10 GE access ports plus 2×40 GE uplinks, ideal for high-performance aggregation across dense campus deployments or server farms.
🧩 Layer‑3 Routing & Enterprise-Grade Features
Supports OSPF, BGP, RIPng, IS-IS, VRRP, ECMP; with 288K MAC entries and advanced ACLs, it’s robust enough for core or aggregation layers in campus networks.
🔒 VXLAN & Network Virtualization
Built-in VXLAN with BGP-EVPN enables scalable, multi-tenant segmentation. Layer‑2/3 gateway styles, NETCONF/YANG, and OPS automation facilitate modern campus overlays.
🛡 Rich Security & Resilience
Equipped with DoS protection, DHCP/ARP snooping, IP/MAC filtering, and SEP/ERPS ring resilience (<50 ms convergence). Features mirror key enterprise security expectations.
⚙ Intelligent O&M & Telemetry
sFlow and telemetry feed CampusInsight for real-time alerts, service-level monitoring (eMDI), and root-cause analytics — shifting operations from reactive to proactive.
🔁 Stacking & Fabric Simplicity
Supports hybrid stacking via 10 GE/QSFP ports (up to 16/2). When paired with SVF-enabled supervisors, it allows logical fabric deployment across campus access points.
☁ Power Efficiency & Form Factor
Three fans keep airflow optimized in a compact 220 mm depth chassis, while dual power modules ensure reliability. Noise stays under 67 dB(A) in data center environments.
Deployment Scenarios & Practical Application
A. Compact Campus Core/Aggregation
At a midsize university, the S6720S‑26Q‑EI‑24S connected Wi‑Fi 6 access switches and uplinked to core routers via 40 GE. VXLAN segmentation and telemetry eased maintenance and supported network service quality SLAs.
B. Enterprise Server Farm or Small Data Center
As a leaf switch in a five-rack data center, it aggregated server connections on 10 GE and uplinked over 40 GE. Fabric overlays simplified tenant traffic separation and improved trunking flexibility.
C. Metro or Building-Level Rings
Used across buildings in a school complex, paired ring protection (SEP/ERPS) ensured sub-50 ms failover. Compact form factor allowed mounting in telecom rooms with shallow depth.
Deployment & Management Experience
- Zero‑touch Staging: Pre-load configs, stack via SVF, and achieve plug-and-play with minimal onsite effort.
- End-to-End Visibility: Real-time telemetry and insights reduce troubleshooting time from hours to minutes.
- Hybrid Fabric: Logical stacking without dedicated hardware simplifies expansion to new buildings.
- Energy & Noise Control: Compact chassis and efficient cooling keep workspaces quiet.
- Seamless Upgrades: HOUP and in-service staging streamline maintenance schedules and eliminate downtime.
Configuration Guides / CLI Examples
Ⅰ. Enable VXLAN / BGP‑EVPN
<HUAWEI> system-view
[HUAWEI] vlan 300
[HUAWEI] interface Vlanif300
[HUAWEI-Vlanif300] ip address 192.168.30.1 255.255.255.0
[HUAWEI] vxlan 300
[HUAWEI-vxlan300] vni 300 remote-ip 10.1.1.1
[HUAWEI-vxlan300] bgp evpn enable
Ⅱ. Configure Ring Resilience
[HUAWEI] sep enable
[HUAWEI] sep ring 1 node 1 priority 100
Ⅲ. Activate Telemetry
[HUAWEI] sflow-agent 10.0.100.5 sampling 1000
[HUAWEI] sflow enable
Ⅳ. Stack via SVF
[HUAWEI] stack enable
[HUAWEI] interface GigabitEthernet0/1 to 0/4
[HUAWEI] stack port group 1
Competitive Comparison: Why Huawei S6720S Excels?
Feature | Huawei S6720S Switch | Cisco Catalyst 9300/9500 Series |
Downlink Density | 24×10GE SFP+ | Similar GE options |
Uplink Flexibility | 2×40GE QSFP+ | Typically 1/10GE, less 40GE |
VXLAN / BGP-EVPN | Built-in | Requires DNAC premium |
Telemetry & O&M Insight | sFlow + CampusInsight | Premium DNA licensing |
Ring Resilience | SEP/ERPS included | Limited native support |
Compact Form Factor | 220 mm shallow chassis | Standard 1U depth only |
Huawei delivers high-speed flexibility, fabric intelligence, and enterprise resilience—all at a competitive cost.
FAQs
-
Does it support 100GE?
No—supports only 40 GE uplinks (2× QSFP+). -
Is it rack-depth compatible?
Yes—measures 220 mm depth, fits shallow cabinets. -
Can it be core or aggregation?
Yes—ideal for campus core, aggregation, or small data center leaf. -
Does it support VXLAN?
Yes – VXLAN/BGP-EVPN included. -
Is telemetry built-in?
Yes—Supports sFlow and telemetry for CampusInsight. -
What resilience features are included?
SEP/ERPS, dual PSU, hot-swap fans, SVF. -
Number of VLANs supported?
Up to 4,000 VLAN instances. -
What are noise levels?
Operates below 67 dB(A), suitable for office/data center environments.
Conclusion
The Huawei S6720S Switch, specifically the 26Q-EI-24S-AC, delivers a powerful, compact, and intelligent solution for both aggregation and core functions.
With 10/40GE connectivity, enterprise-class routing and security, VXLAN support, and intelligent networking tools, it meets modern network demands without excessive cost or footprint.
This switch is perfect for mid-sized to large campuses, small data centers, and resilient building networks. Future-ready, versatile, and efficient—S6720S sets a high bar for core infrastructure.
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