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Huawei’s S5731 switch family, also branded as CloudEngine S5731, delivers a wide-ranging lineup of gigabit switches tailored for campus access, aggregation, and even metro-area access. Breaking down into three series—S5731-L (Light), S5731-H (High-end), and S5731-S (Standard)—the series supports multiple deployment roles.
It offers high-density gigabit ports, uplink flexibility, PoE+/PoE++ capabilities, and advanced stacking/fabric features. Built on Huawei’s VRP system with robust Layer 2/3 protocols, SVF + iStack fabric management, VXLAN support, and SDN programmability.
The S5731 is a multi-role switch designed for future-ready digital campuses, Wi-Fi hotspots, IP surveillance, and enterprise network upgrades. This article provides a deep dive into technical specs, model comparisons, use cases, FAQs, and deployment recommendations.
Product Line Overview
S5731-L (Lightweight Access)
- Compact remote switches with 4–8 GE ports, plus hybrid uplinks (1 GE/2.5 GE).
- Extremely low forwarding (~9 Mpps), 52 Gbps backplane.
- Designed for remote units, digital signage, or constrained spaces using hybrid PoE/adapters .
S5731-S (Standard Gigabit Access/Aggregation)
- 24–48 GE ports + 4×10 GE SFP+ uplinks.
- Switching capacity 360–400 Gbps, 125 Mpps forwarding.
- Offers PoE+ and PoE++ up to 1000 W via dual hot-swappable modules.
- Includes VXLAN gateway, full Layer 3, SVF parent/client, and 40 GE expansion for scalability.
S5731-H (High-End Campus/Metro Access)
- 24–48 GE ports + 4×10 GE SFP+, with slot for 40/25 GE expansion.
- Switching capacity up to 336 Gbps, 125 Mpps forwarding.
- PoE+ support (600–800 W), dual PSUs, VXLAN, BGP-EVPN, telemetry, security analytics.
- Acts as VXLAN gateway and parent SVF controller, ideal for campus core and large PoE deployments.
Feature & Spec Comparison
| Series | Ports | Uplinks | Switching Capacity | Forwarding | PoE Budget | Highlights |
| L | 4–8 GE | 1×GE + 1×GE/2.5GE uplink | 52 Gbps | 9 Mpps | Optical-Electric hybrid PoE | Remote units, compact access |
| S | 24/48 GE | 4×10 GE SFP+ | 360–400 Gbps | 125 Mpps | Up to 1000 W via modules | VXLAN, SVF, campus access |
| H | 24/48 GE | 4×10 GE + expansion slot | 288–336 Gbps | 125 Mpps | 600–800 W PoE+ | VXLAN gateway, telemetry |
Use-Case Scenarios
| Scenario | Best Match | Why |
| Remote office, kiosk, or signage | S5731-L4T2ST | Low-cost, hybrid uplink, compact form, ~9 Mpps |
| School classroom or office access | S5731-S24P4X | 24-port PoE+, 10 GE uplinks, SVF stacking, 360 Gbps capacity |
| Building core or high-density AP layer | S5731-H48T4XC(-P) | High port count, uplink expansion, VXLAN, PoE+ |
| Metro or ISP access edge | S5731-H24T4XC | Slot for 40 GE uplinks, VXLAN gateway, security analytics |
Key Functions
- PoE+, PoE++ support: Dual pluggable modules deliver up to 1000 W powered via optic-electric hybrid.
- VXLAN gateway: Overlay networks, EVPN, supports NETCONF/YANG for SDN orchestration.
- Intelligent O&M & telemetry: iPCA for network health, TWAMP support, compatibility with CampusInsight analyzer.
- SVF/iStack: Fabric virtualization and stacking simplify deployment; parent and client roles supported.
- Layer 3 & security: OSPF, BGP, VRRP, ACLs, DHCP/ARP snooping, DoS protection.
- High reliability: Surge protection, redundant power, hot-swappable fans and modules.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
What differentiates S5731-L, S, and H?
– L is lightweight remote access; S supports campus aggregation with VXLAN; H adds higher performance, expansion, analytics. -
How much PoE can S5731-S support?
– Up to 1000 W via dual modules like PAC1000S56. -
Is VXLAN supported?
– Yes: VXLAN L2/L3 gateway with EVPN, requires license. -
Can switches stack?
– Yes: iStack up to 9 units; SVF parent supports aggregation. -
What telemetry features are available?
– iPCA, TWAMP, NetStream, CampusInsight integration. -
Are they suitable for metro-edge deployments?
– Yes, S5731-H supports BGP-EVPN, VXLAN gateway, and high port density.
Deployment Best Practices
- Ensure PoE planning, allowing ~20% headroom for IP devices.
- Deploy SVF fabric under S/H series parent for simplified multi-switch management.
- Implement VXLAN+EVPN for campus segmentation and multitenancy.
- Use intelligent telemetry to maintain SLA and detect issues early.
- Redundancy planning: dual PSUs, redundant uplinks, VRRP in access and aggregation layers.
Conclusion
Huawei’s S5731 series introduces a unified gigabit switching platform for remote access, campus aggregation, and metro-edge scenarios. With a flexible layering from lightweight L units to feature-rich H editions, S5731 provides PoE+, VXLAN, stacking, telemetry, and Layer 3 routing in one scalable family.
Their combination of performance, manageability, and competitive pricing positions the S5731 as a compelling alternative to more expensive campus switch lines. Network architects can choose the appropriate model—L for remote, S for aggregation, H for core/VXLAN needs—confident in future-proof capabilities.
When integrated into SVF fabrics and monitored with intelligent O&M tools, the S5731 can support modern, high-availability network designs.
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