NVIDIA Spectrum SN3000 MSN3700-CS2F: High-Density 100GbE Open Networking Switch
1. Product Overview
The MSN3700-CS2F is a 1U form factor network switch from NVIDIA's Spectrum SN3000 series, delivering 32 ports of 100GbE connectivity with the flexibility to split ports for 10/25GbE server connections. Built on the Spectrum-2 ASIC architecture, this open Ethernet switch provides 6.4Tb/s of non-blocking throughput, making it an ideal solution for modern data center spine and leaf deployments. With support for multiple operating systems including NVIDIA Onyx, this network switch offers unparalleled flexibility and performance for cloud, enterprise, and high-performance computing environments.
2. Key Features
- 32 x QSFP28 ports supporting 100GbE, 50GbE, 40GbE, and 25GbE speeds
- Port splitting capability to support up to 128 x 10/25GbE connections
- 6.4Tb/s switching capacity with 4.76 billion packets per second forwarding rate
- Cut-through switching with consistent 425ns latency
- 42MB fully shared packet buffer for burst absorption
- Dual hot-swappable power supplies (AC) with N+1 fan redundancy
- Pre-installed with NVIDIA Onyx network operating system
3. Advanced Technologies
The SN3000 series incorporates NVIDIA's Spectrum-2 ASIC with support for:
- RoCE (RDMA over Converged Ethernet) for GPU-direct networking
- VXLAN routing and bridging with hardware acceleration
- Advanced telemetry with What Just Happened (WJH) technology
- In-band network telemetry (INT) for real-time monitoring
- Programmable pipeline with deep packet inspection (up to 512 bytes)
- Open Ethernet standards including ONIE for network operating system flexibility
4. Operational Architecture
The MSN3700-CS2F utilizes a fully shared packet buffer architecture that dynamically allocates memory across all ports, ensuring fair bandwidth distribution and preventing head-of-line blocking. The switch operates in cut-through mode, forwarding packets immediately after the header is processed without storing the entire frame. This approach minimizes latency while maintaining line-rate performance. The Spectrum-2 ASIC processes packets in a single pass, even for complex operations like VXLAN routing and network address translation.
5. Deployment Scenarios
- Data center spine layer supporting 100GbE fabric connectivity
- High-density leaf switch for 25GbE server connectivity
- AI/ML cluster networking with RoCE support for NVIDIA GPUDirect
- Cloud infrastructure with VXLAN overlay networks
- Storage fabrics with NVMe over Fabrics (NVMe-oF) support
- Financial trading networks requiring low latency and high throughput
6. Technical Specifications
| Specification | MSN3700-CS2F |
| Switch Series | SN3000 |
| Port Configuration | 32 x QSFP28 |
| Maximum 100GbE Ports | 32 |
| Maximum 25GbE Ports | 128 |
| Throughput | 6.4 Tb/s |
| Forwarding Rate | 4.76 Bpps |
| Latency | 425 ns |
| Packet Buffer | 42 MB |
| Power Supplies | Dual AC (1+1 redundant) |
| Cooling | 4 fans (N+1 redundant) |
| Dimensions (HxWxD) | 1.72" x 16.84" x 22" |
| Weight | 11.1 kg (24.5 lb) |
| Operating System | NVIDIA Onyx |
7. Competitive Advantages
- Industry-leading port density in 1U form factor
- Fully shared packet buffer ensures fair bandwidth allocation
- Advanced telemetry capabilities reduce mean time to resolution
- Open Ethernet design prevents vendor lock-in
- Superior VXLAN scale with 10x more tunnels than competitors
- Flexible port speeds from 1GbE to 100GbE using breakout cables
- Comprehensive RoCE support for GPU-direct workloads
8. Service & Support
The MSN3700-CS2F comes with a standard 1-year limited hardware warranty with 14-business-day turnaround. Optional premium support services include next-business-day advance replacement, 4-hour technician dispatch, and remote technical assistance. NVIDIA offers professional services for design, implementation, and optimization of network infrastructure.
9. Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can this switch be used with other network operating systems?
A: Yes, while pre-installed with NVIDIA Onyx, the switch supports any ONIE-compatible network operating system including Cumulus Linux and SONIC.
Q: What types of transceivers and cables are supported?
A: The switch supports a wide range of DAC, AOC, and fiber transceivers including 100GbE SR4, LR4, CWDM4, and PSM4 optics.
Q: Is the switch suitable for RoCE deployments?
A: Yes, the Spectrum-2 ASIC provides robust RoCE support with congestion control and traffic isolation features.
Q: What is the power consumption of the switch?
A: Typical power consumption is 300W with maximum draw of 400W depending on port configuration and utilization.
10. Installation & Operational Notes
- Ensure adequate clearance for airflow around the switch
- Verify compatibility of transceivers and cables before deployment
- Operate within specified environmental conditions (0°C to 40°C, 5-85% humidity)
- Follow proper ESD precautions during installation
- Complies with safety standards including CB, CE, cTUVus, and CU
- EMC compliance includes FCC, ICES, RCM, and VCCI certifications
11. Company Introduction
With over a decade of industry experience, we maintain extensive manufacturing capabilities and a strong technical team that has served numerous clients worldwide. We specialize in providing competitively priced networking solutions from leading brands including Mellanox, Ruckus, Aruba, and Extreme. Our product portfolio includes network switches, adapters, wireless access points, controllers, and cabling solutions. We stock over 10 million units ready for immediate delivery and provide 24/7 customer support and technical consultation to ensure optimal performance of your network infrastructure.
