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Huawei’s CloudEngine S8800 Series sets a new benchmark for Data Center Core Switches, bringing dense 100/200/400GE connectivity, ultra-low latency, and advanced programmability to modern data fabrics.
With flagship models like CE8855, CE8865, and CE8875, the S8800 family excels in high-scale cloud architectures, edge-to-core convergence, and campus core deployments.
Models Overview and Specifications
| Model | Downlinks (Access) | Uplinks / Fabric Ports | Switching Capacity / Forwarding |
| CE8855-32CQ4BQ | 32×40/100GE (QSFP28), split to 128×10/25GE | 4×200GE QSFP56 (auto-rate 40/100/200GE) | 6.4 Tbps / ~3,200 Mpps |
| CE8865-SAN-4C | Up to 32×100GE or 64×40GE / 128×25GE | 4×200GE (QSFP56) uplinks | 12.8 Tbps (model dependent) |
| CE8875-24BQ8DQ | Likely 24×200GE + 8×400GE (QSFP56/DD) uplinks | 8×400GE QSFP-DD uplinks | Up to 19.2 Tbps (400GE-ready) |
Key takeaways:
- CE8855 enables up to 128×25GE server access with 4×200GE uplinks.
- CE8865 targets mixed 100/40GE access with 200GE spine connectivity.
- CE8875 supports extreme-scale fabrics with 400GE uplinks for AI/ML and hyperscale DC.
Core Features & Innovations
🔁 High-Density, Multi-Rate Performance
Support for flexible QSFP28/56/DD ports allows VLAN-agnostic scaling—from 10GE up to 400GE on uplinks—ideal for tiered data center architectures.
⚡ Ultra-Low Latency & Lossless Fabric
Forwarding engines support sub‑microsecond latency and algorithms like iLossless, PFC deadlock prevention, and AI‑ECN for RoCE‑v2 and HPC use.
🛡 Advanced Security & Overlay Gateway
The series includes VXLAN with BGP‑EVPN hardware gateway, full MACsec encryption, ACLs, and trusted boot—with over 16 million tenant support.
🔧 Programmability & SDN Integration
OPS (open APIs), NETCONF, Ansible, Python-based ZTP, and integration with Huawei Agile Controller enable intelligent automation.
🔁 Resilience & Stacking
Supports long- and short-distance stacking up to 16 units, M-LAG, open fabric cluster, and uninterrupted software upgrades.
📊 Smart O&M Telemetry
Telemetry includes flow/path visibility, packet event tracking, traffic analytics, and FabricInsight dashboards.
Deployment Scenarios
A. Hyperscale Spine/Core
CE8875-24BQ8DQ powers large-scale data fabrics with 24×200GE access and multiple 400GE spine uplinks—ideal for AI+DL workloads and hyperscalers.
B. Cloud Gateway & Overlay Backbone
CE8865 offers flexible 100/40GE access with 200GE uplinks and VXLAN-Gateway functions, supporting hardware VXLAN fabric gateways managing millions of tenants.
C. Supplier-Level Aggregation
CE8855 suits 25GE leaf aggregation with 200GE uplinks, ideal for campuses or ERP/data pools—offering cost-effective density without compromising scale.
D. Campus Network Core
Deploy CE8855 paired in M-LAG or long-stack configurations for campus backbones, delivering 100GE uplinks, MACsec, and VXLAN overlays at scale.
E. High-Performance Storage or AI Edge
The combination of iLossless, AI-ECN, PFC, and FCoE support enables ACID-grade block storage and AI inference network conditions.
Deployment & Management Experience
- Zero Touch Provisioning (ZTP) via scripts or iMaster NCE enables fast-scale rollout without manual configs.
- Elastic Fabric Sight with packet path health and lossless behavior visualizations for HPC and RDMA workflows.
- Live module casting/upgrades without throughput interruption thanks to hardware-based stacking and M-LAG.
- Integrated orchestration across data center platforms via OPS and open-mode operation.
- Energy management through front-to-back/back airflow and intelligent fan/supply control for green DCs.
Summarized Feature & CLI Differences
| Feature | CE8855 | CE8865 | CE8875 (highest-end) |
| VLAN + OSPF | ✅ all models | ✅ | ✅ |
| VXLAN/BGP-EVPN | ✅ supported | ❌ | ✅ supported |
| MACsec Encryption | ❌ | ✅ supported | ✅ supported |
| TCP Acceleration | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ supported (200/400GE) |
Sets up basic VLANs with inter-VLAN routing and OSPF on a 40GE port
Applies to CE8855, CE8865, and CE8875:
<HUAWEI> system-view
[HUAWEI] vlan batch 200 300
[HUAWEI] interface Vlanif200
ip address 10.200.0.1 255.255.255.0
[HUAWEI] interface Vlanif300
ip address 10.300.0.1 255.255.255.0
[HUAWEI] interface FortyGigabitEthernet1/0/1
[HUAWEI-...] port link-type trunk
[HUAWEI-...] port trunk allow-pass vlan 200 300
[HUAWEI] ospf 1
[HUAWEI-ospf-1] area 0.0.0.0
VXLAN + BGP-EVPN
The CE8855-32CQ4BQ supports VXLAN in hardware for overlay fabrics. This config enables VXLAN L2 overlay with BGP-EVPN peering—the CE8855 hardware supports it natively.
<HUAWEI> system-view
[HUAWEI] vlan 500
[HUAWEI] interface Vlanif500
ip address 10.50.0.1 255.255.255.0
[HUAWEI] vxlan enable
[HUAWEI] ip vpn-instance VNI500
[HUAWEI-ipvpn-instance-VNI500] route-distinguisher 500:1
[HUAWEI-ipvpn-instance-VNI500] vpn-target 500:1 export-extcommunity
[HUAWEI-ipvpn-instance-VNI500] vpn-target 500:1 import-extcommunity
[HUAWEI] quit
[HUAWEI] bgp 65500
[HUAWEI-bgp] ipv4-family l2vpn evpn
[HUAWEI-bgp-af-l2vpn-evpn] peer 10.1.1.2 as-number 65501
[HUAWEI] quit
[HUAWEI] interface HundredGigE1/0/1
[HUAWEI-...] port link-type trunk
[HUAWEI-...] port trunk allow-pass vlan 500
[HUAWEI-...] vxlan encapsulation VNI500
MACsec on Uplink
The CE8865 supports MACsec encryption on uplinks. This secures the uplink using MACsec with preconfigured key chaining.
<HUAWEI> system-view
[HUAWEI] macsec key-chain KEYCHAIN1
[HUAWEI-macsec-key-chain-KEYCHAIN1] macsec default-key 1
[HUAWEI] quit
[HUAWEI] interface HundredGigE1/0/5
[HUAWEI-...] port link-type trunk
[HUAWEI-...] authentication mode macsec
[HUAWEI-...] macsec key-chain KEYCHAIN1
[HUAWEI-...] macsec enable
[HUAWEI] display macsec interface HundredGigE1/0/5
TCP Acceleration Offload
On high-end CE8875, TCP acceleration ensures ultra-low latency. Enables hardware offloading of TCP flows on 200GE ports.
<HUAWEI> system-view
[HUAWEI] acceleration tcp enable global
[HUAWEI] interface TwoHundredGigE1/0/3
[HUAWEI-...] tcp-accelerate enable
[HUAWEI-...] tcp-mss 1460
[HUAWEI-...] quit
Conclusion
The Huawei CloudEngine 8800 Series delivers ultra-high port density, next-gen performance, and modular flexibility—making it ideal as a Huawei Data Center Switch and Data Center Core Switch.
With 200/400GE speeds, VXLAN overlay, MACsec, iLossless intelligence, and full programmability, it meets the most demanding, future-proof requirements of modern data infrastructures.
Frequently Asked Questions (Detailed and Practical)
Q1: Which CloudEngine 8800 models support VXLAN and BGP-EVPN overlays?
A: VXLAN and BGP-EVPN overlay networking are natively supported on the CE8855 and CE8875 models, enabling them to operate as hardware-based VXLAN gateways for scalable data center fabrics. The CE8865, however, does not support VXLAN/BGP-EVPN features.
Q2: Can I use MACsec encryption on all CloudEngine 8800 series models?
A: MACsec encryption is available on the CE8865 and CE8875 models for secure uplink and inter-switch communication. The CE8855 does not support MACsec encryption.
Q3: What are the maximum uplink speeds supported by each 8800 model?
A:
- CE8855 supports up to 200GE uplinks (QSFP56).
- CE8865 supports up to 200GE uplinks (QSFP56).
- CE8875 supports higher-density and future-proof 400GE uplinks (QSFP-DD).
Q4: Do CloudEngine 8800 switches support stacking or clustering?
A: Yes, all models in the 8800 series support stacking using Huawei’s intelligent stacking technologies. They can form clusters of up to 16 units, greatly simplifying management and enhancing network redundancy.
Q5: Is Zero-Touch Provisioning (ZTP) supported, and how do I use it?
A: Yes, all CloudEngine S8800 models support ZTP. You can automatically deploy switches using configuration templates via Huawei’s iMaster NCE or through custom scripts, significantly reducing initial deployment complexity and time.
Q6: Are these switches suitable for campus networks or only data centers?
A: While the CloudEngine S8800 series is primarily optimized as Data Center Core Switches, models like CE8855 and CE8865 are versatile enough for use in large enterprise campus cores due to their dense multi-rate ports and extensive Layer 3 routing and security capabilities.
Q7: Do these switches support RoCE and lossless networking for storage or AI applications?
A: Yes. All S8800 models support advanced lossless networking technologies such as Priority Flow Control (PFC), Enhanced Transmission Selection (ETS), AI-based Explicit Congestion Notification (AI-ECN), and intelligent lossless Ethernet (iLossless). These features make them ideal for RDMA over Converged Ethernet (RoCE) deployments common in storage, HPC, and AI scenarios.
Q8: Can I mix different speeds (e.g., 10GE, 25GE, 40GE, 100GE, 200GE, 400GE) on the same switch?
A: Yes. S8800 switches have flexible port configurations allowing mixed connectivity (10/25/40/100GE ports) through breakout cables and optical modules. Higher-end models (CE8875) additionally offer native 400GE uplinks, supporting future-proofing and scalability.
Q9: Do CloudEngine 8800 series switches offer redundancy features for mission-critical environments?
A: Absolutely. All S8800 switches provide dual hot-swappable power supplies, redundant fans, ISSU (In-Service Software Upgrade), and hardware-based stacking/M-LAG, ensuring minimal downtime and continuous operation in critical data center environments.
Q10: How do I monitor network traffic and health on CloudEngine 8800 switches?
A: The CE8800 series supports comprehensive telemetry via iMaster NCE FabricInsight, offering deep insights into flow health, packet-level events, and performance metrics. Additional protocols like sFlow, NetStream, and Intelligent Flow Information Telemetry (IFIT) are also supported for real-time network monitoring.
Q11: Is there programmability or integration with automation tools available on these switches?
A: Yes, CE8800 models fully support programmability through Open Programmability System (OPS), NETCONF, RESTful APIs, Python scripting, and Ansible automation, enabling streamlined DevOps and efficient network automation.
Q12: What are the airflow options and power efficiency features provided by the CE8800 series?
A: These switches offer front-to-back and back-to-front airflow options, adapting to various data center cooling designs. Additionally, intelligent fans, energy-efficient chipsets, and low-power optics help maintain optimal power usage, contributing to greener data centers.
Q13: Are firmware/software updates interruptive on these switches?
A: No, the CloudEngine 8800 switches support In-Service Software Upgrade (ISSU), allowing firmware updates without service interruption, crucial for maintaining high availability.
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