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In today’s high-demand data center and campus environments, switches must deliver exceptional performance, scalability, security, and operational intelligence. The Huawei CloudEngine 6800 Series offers an impressive range of configurations—from 10 GE access to multi-100/200 GE uplinks—positioning models like CE6885‑48YS8CQ and CE6863E‑48S6CQ as advanced Data Center Switches, Core Switches, and Enterprise Switches. Let’s explore each variant in detail.
Model Specifications
| Model | Downlinks | Uplinks | Capacity / Forwarding |
| CE6820‑48S6CQ (AC/DC) | 48×10 GE SFP+ | 6×40/100 GE QSFP28 | 2.16 Tbps / 470 Mpps |
| CE6820H‑48S6CQ | Same as above with higher-grade HW | 6×40/100 GE QSFP28 | 2.16 Tbps / 470 Mpps |
| CE6855‑48XS8CQ | 48×10 GE SFP+ | 8×40/100 GE QSFP28 | 2.56 Tbps / 1200 Mpps |
| CE6855SL‑48XS8CQ | Fanless variant | 8×40/100 GE QSFP28 | 2.56 Tbps / 1200 Mpps |
| CE6863‑48S6CQ | 48×10/25 GE SFP28 | 6×40/100 GE QSFP28 | 3.6 Tbps / 940 Mpps |
| CE6863E‑48S6CQ | Same as CE6863 with enhanced buffering | 6×40/100 GE QSFP28 | 3.6 Tbps / 940 Mpps |
| CE6863H‑48S6CQ | High-temp rated CE6863 | 6×40/100 GE QSFP28 | 3.6 Tbps / 954 Mpps |
| CE6881‑48S6CQ, CE6881‑48T6CQ, CE6881H‑48S6CQ, CE6881H‑48T6CQ | 48×10 GE SFP+ or 10 GE Base‑T | 6×40/100 GE QSFP28 | 2.16 Tbps / 940–954 Mpps |
| CE6885‑48YS8CQ / -T / -H / -L / -LL‑56F | 48×25/50 GE via SFP28/SFP56 | 8×100/200 GE via QSFP28/QSFP56 | 8 Tbps / 1200 Mpps |
This table covers:
- CE6820 and 6820H (access),
- CE6855 (fan-cooled and silent),
- CE6863/E/H (25 GE options),
- CE6881 variants (copper/SFP and temperature hardened),
- CE6885 family (25–200 GE uplinks, TPM/trusted boot capability).
Highlights
🔀 Flexible Density & Speeds
From basic 10GE access (CE6820), through 25 GE (CE6863), to ultra-dense 25/50 GE (CE6885), with uplinks scaling from 40→100→200 GE on high-end models.
🧠 Layer‑2/3 Intelligence
All support VRP8 with OSPF/BGP/IS‑IS/VRRP/ECMP and multicast. VXLAN/BGP‑EVPN is available on CE6863/CE6881/CE6885 for fabric-enabled architectures—validated in multiple datasheets.
🔒 Security, Encryption & High Availability
Broad ACL support, DHCP/ARP snooping, LACP/BFD, and M‑LAG. CE6885 adds optional MACsec & TPM-trusted boot for edge-to-core security.
📈 Performance & Telemetry
Line-rate performance (940 to 1200 Mpps) with sub-3µs latency. Full-stack telemetry through IFIT, NetStream, ERSPAN+, and integrations with iMaster NCE for proactive data-center operations.
🔁 Stackability & Resilience
Up to 16-unit stacks via SVF or iStack, dual hot-swappable PSUs & fans, and flexible airflow options. Ring protocols (TRILL, M‑LAG) provide high reliability.
Deployment Scenarios
A. High-Density Data Center Leaf & Spine (CE6885, CE6863E/H)
The CE6885-48YS8CQ and CE6863E-48S6CQ are perfectly suited for modern leaf-spine topologies. The CE6885 supports high-density 25/50GE downlinks with multiple 100GE or 200GE uplinks, delivering robust bandwidth and reduced latency for server virtualization, container clusters, and storage solutions.
The CE6863E/H, with its 25GE downlinks and 100GE uplinks, complements as a flexible aggregation layer within medium-sized data centers or large enterprise campuses.
Real Example:
A financial enterprise deployed the CE6885 as leaf switches connecting 50GE servers, with uplinks at 200GE forming high-capacity spines. VXLAN and BGP-EVPN provided secure multi-tenancy, while MACsec protected uplink traffic, ensuring compliance with stringent regulatory requirements.
B. Campus Aggregation & Core (CE6881, CE6820, CE6855)
Models like CE6881-48S6CQ, CE6820-48S6CQ, and CE6855-48XS8CQ effectively aggregate campus access layers into high-capacity campus cores. The CE6820 and CE6881 support cost-effective 10GE access connectivity and 40/100GE uplinks.
CE6855, available also in fanless variants, is ideal for environments demanding both performance and reduced noise, like education institutions or office buildings.
Real Example:
A university leveraged the CE6820-48S6CQ in dormitory networks to consolidate numerous Wi-Fi 6 access points and IoT devices over multiple buildings.
With 40GE uplinks to a CE6881-based campus core, the university achieved high-quality wireless coverage and seamless mobility across its campus.
C. Quiet and Sensitive Environments (CE6855SL)
The fanless CE6855SL-48XS8CQ variant is uniquely suited to noise-sensitive scenarios such as broadcasting studios, medical facilities, executive conference rooms, and libraries. This switch offers all the key performance characteristics of the CE6855 without operational noise.
Real Example:
A major hospital implemented the CE6855SL in patient-care areas, eliminating operational noise while securely supporting sensitive medical data flows, ensuring patient comfort and maintaining rigorous operational standards.
D. High-Performance Computing (HPC) & Big Data (CE6885, CE6863)
In HPC and big data analytics environments, the CE6885 and CE6863 series deliver necessary high-throughput and low latency connectivity. The 100/200GE uplinks facilitate intensive east-west data exchanges typical in parallel-processing environments, crucial for AI/ML clusters or distributed databases.
Real Example:
A technology research center deployed CE6885 switches in a high-performance computing cluster to connect GPU-based servers for deep learning workloads. Utilizing 200GE uplinks provided substantial data throughput for massive datasets and real-time analytics.
Deployment & Management Experience
Zero-Touch Provisioning (ZTP) with iMaster NCE
Huawei’s CloudEngine 6800 series leverages iMaster NCE, allowing network administrators to automate large-scale deployments through template-based Zero-Touch Provisioning. This capability significantly reduces initial setup time and configuration errors.
Benefit: A large enterprise achieved over 70% faster switch deployment across multiple campuses by utilizing automated provisioning workflows via iMaster NCE.
Intelligent O&M and Real-Time Visibility
Through built-in support for IFIT telemetry, NetStream, sFlow, and ERSPAN+, CE6800 switches provide deep visibility into network performance. This telemetry suite enables proactive identification of network anomalies and real-time troubleshooting, significantly improving service reliability and reducing operational costs.
Benefit:
A data center operator used the telemetry capabilities to reduce troubleshooting time from several hours to mere minutes, effectively improving their SLA compliance rates.
Robust Security and Resilient Design
The CloudEngine 6800 series offers advanced security features, including ACL filtering, DHCP/ARP snooping, broadcast storm control, and hardware BFD for link monitoring. Selected models (CE6885) include optional MACsec encryption and TPM-based secure boot, ensuring secure and trusted network operations.
Benefit:
A financial institution successfully deployed CE6885 switches, benefiting from secure boot mechanisms and MACsec-encrypted uplinks, thus meeting compliance with industry security standards.
Flexible Stacking and Virtualization with SVF/iStack
All CE6800 switches support flexible stacking through iStack or Super Virtual Fabric (SVF), enabling simplified network design and management. SVF allows network managers to logically combine up to 16 switches into a single manageable entity, streamlining operations.
Benefit:
A major retailer utilized SVF stacking to simplify management of thousands of endpoints across multiple branches, reducing the number of managed devices by more than 60%.
Energy Efficiency & Environmental Flexibility
CE6800 switches offer adjustable airflow, redundant fans and power supplies, as well as power-saving features such as IEEE 802.3az Energy-Efficient Ethernet. These features help organizations reduce energy costs and accommodate flexible installation environments.
Benefit:
A large campus reduced their network equipment energy consumption by 25% by implementing CE6800 switches with energy-efficient settings and optimal airflow configurations.
Configuration Snippets
| Configuration Feature | CE6820 / CE6855 | CE6863E / CE6881 | CE6885 |
| VLAN / SVI Routing | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| ACL / L2-L3 Filtering | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Trunk / LACP / BFD | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| TRILL / SVF / Stacking | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Telemetry (sFlow / NetStream / IFIT) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| MACsec Encryption | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ (optional) |
| VXLAN / BGP-EVPN | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
A. Common - VLAN Routing & ACL (All CE68xx Models)
<HUAWEI> system-view
[HUAWEI] vlan batch 10 to 20
[HUAWEI] interface Vlanif10
[HUAWEI-Vlanif10] ip address 192.168.10.1 255.255.255.0
[HUAWEI] acl 3000
[HUAWEI-acl-basic-3000] rule deny source 10.0.1.0/24
[HUAWEI-acl-basic-3000] rule permit source any
[HUAWEI] interface GigabitEthernet1/0/1
[HUAWEI-GigabitEthernet1/0/1] traffic-filter inbound acl 3000
B. Common - TRILL / SVF Stacking (All Models)
[HUAWEI] switch virtual-link enable
[HUAWEI] svf enable
[HUAWEI] interface Ten-GigabitEthernet1/0/1 to 1/0/2
[HUAWEI] svf port-group 1
C. CE6885 - VXLAN / BGP-EVPN
[HUAWEI] vxlan enable
[HUAWEI] bgp evpn enable
D. CE6885 - MACsec
[HUAWEI] interface FortyGigabitEthernet1/0/1
[HUAWEI-...] macsec enable
E. Common - iMaster NCE Telemetry (All Models)
[HUAWEI] stream s1
export 10.10.10.5 2055
protocol netflow-v9
interface ten-gigabitEthernet1/0/1 inbound
Conclusion
The Huawei CloudEngine 6800 Series delivers versatile, high-performance switches suitable for data center cores, aggregation layers, and enterprise campuses.
Featuring multi-speed flexibility from 10GE to 200GE, advanced VXLAN and MACsec support on select models, comprehensive telemetry, and simplified management via iMaster NCE, this series effectively addresses modern network demands with scalability, security, and operational ease.
FAQs
Q1. Do all CloudEngine 6800 models support VXLAN and BGP-EVPN?
A: No. VXLAN and BGP-EVPN are supported only on specific advanced models like the CE6885 and CE6863E/H variants. Other models such as the CE6820, CE6855, and CE6881 provide traditional Layer‑2/3 capabilities without VXLAN support.
Q2. Which CE6800 models offer MACsec encryption?
A: Only specific variants within the CE6885 series offer optional MACsec encryption for secure data transmission on uplinks. CE6820, CE6855, CE6863, and CE6881 models do not support MACsec encryption.
Q3. Can all CE6800 series switches stack together?
A: Yes, all CE6800 series models support stacking via SVF (Super Virtual Fabric) or iStack, allowing up to 16 units to be combined for simplified management and increased redundancy.
Q4. Is there a fanless option within the CE6800 series?
A: Yes, the CE6855SL-48XS8CQ variant is specifically designed to operate silently, making it ideal for noise-sensitive environments such as hospitals, conference rooms, or broadcast studios.
Q5. Are CE6800 switches suitable for data center core deployments?
A: Absolutely. High-end models like CE6885-48YS8CQ and CE6863E-48S6CQ are designed specifically for high-density data center leaf-spine and core scenarios, providing multi-speed flexibility and advanced features like VXLAN, telemetry, and optional MACsec.
Q6. What telemetry and O&M features are standard across CE6800 switches?
A: All CE6800 series switches support comprehensive telemetry, including IFIT, NetStream, sFlow, and ERSPAN+, allowing real-time network performance insights and proactive issue detection.
Q7. What power redundancy and cooling options are available?
A: Every model in the CE6800 series offers dual hot-swappable power supplies, redundant fans (except fanless CE6855SL), and adjustable airflow directions (front-to-back or back-to-front), ensuring optimal resilience and deployment flexibility.
Q8. Do CE6800 switches support automation and Zero-Touch Provisioning (ZTP)?
A: Yes, all CE6800 series switches support ZTP through Huawei’s iMaster NCE platform, significantly streamlining large-scale deployments and operational automation.
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