## Product Overview for the Dell WRHD6 96 Ports Switch ### Comprehensive Port Configuration ? Equipped with an impressive 96 SFP28 ports supporting 1G, 10G, and 25G Ethernet connections ? Delivers 8 ultra-fast QSFP28 uplink ports, each supporting 100GbE performance ? Enables seamless aggregation and top-of-rack deployments for modern enterprise needs ### Power and Redundancy Features ? Incorporates dual 1100W AC power units?hot-swappable and fully redundant ? Power-efficient design optimized for high-availability environments ? Ensures maximum uptime with built-in failover capabilities ### Advanced Operating System & Software ? Pre-installed with Open Networking OS10 by Dell?designed for automation and programmability ? Supports Layer 2 and Layer 3 functions with enterprise-grade scalability ? Enhances network flexibility with support for open standards and DevOps integration #### Rack-Friendly Physical Build ? Occupies a compact 2U rack space, ideal for dense network deployments ? Form factor aligns with industry standards for easy installation in existing racks ? Streamlined design helps maintain cable management and airflow optimization #### Airflow Direction and Thermal Efficiency ? Built with IO-to-PSU (port side intake) airflow pattern for consistent thermal control ? Promotes optimal cooling in data center environments with cold aisle containment ? Compatible with standard HVAC configurations to reduce overhead cooling costs ### Connectivity Performance Highlights ? Supports multi-rate operation (1/10/25GbE) through SFP28 ports for adaptable networking ? 100GbE QSFP28 uplinks ideal for spine-leaf architectures and traffic aggregation ? Facilitates high-speed east-west and north-south traffic flow in cloud infrastructure #### Switching Architecture and Use Case Scenarios ? Perfect for top-of-rack, leaf, or aggregation layer deployments in large-scale networks ? Designed for high-throughput workloads in hyperscale and enterprise-grade environments ? Supports automation, virtualization, and containerized applications seamlessly #### Power over Ethernet (PoE) Capability ? No PoE support, emphasizing non-powered device environments ? Suitable for infrastructures where endpoints have independent power sources ##### Transceiver Compatibility ? Transceivers are sold separately, allowing for flexible module selection ? Supports a wide range of SFP28 and QSFP28 transceivers based on network requirements ? Customize according to distance, bandwidth, and cable type?fiber or copper ##### Networking Model & Scalability ? Model: S5296F-ON?part of Dell?s robust Open Networking portfolio ? Offers scalability for modern cloud and edge data centers ? Supports distributed architecture with easy integration into existing networks ## Dell WRHD6 96 Ports Switch S5296F-ON SFP28 8P QSFP28 OS10 Overview The Dell WRHD6 96 Ports Switch S5296F-ON SFP28 8P QSFP28 OS10 is a high-performance, enterprise-grade data center switch designed for environments that demand ultra-low latency, massive throughput, and scalable architecture. This model belongs to Dell?s S-Series of open networking switches, which are engineered for top-of-rack (ToR) deployment in both traditional and modern software-defined data center networks. With a compact 1RU design and 96 high-speed ports, this switch delivers unparalleled flexibility, performance, and control through Dell’s OS10 operating system. ## Hardware Specifications and Port Architecture ### Port Configuration The Dell WRHD6 S5296F-ON switch features 96 SFP28 ports for 25GbE connectivity and 8 QSFP28 ports that support 100GbE. This configuration enables dense server and storage connectivity while also offering uplink and spine-leaf architecture flexibility. Each QSFP28 port can be configured for 100GbE or broken out into four 25GbE interfaces using DAC or breakout cables, thereby maximizing port density and scalability. #### High-Speed Data Throughput The switch supports a non-blocking throughput of up to 6.4Tbps and a packet forwarding rate of up to 4.76 billion packets per second. This makes it ideal for high-performance computing (HPC), hyper-converged infrastructure (HCI), and data-intensive enterprise applications. The consistent low-latency switching capabilities help in maintaining real-time data processing and application responsiveness. ### Redundant and Hot-Swappable Components Designed for maximum uptime, the Dell WRHD6 S5296F-ON includes redundant, hot-swappable power supplies and fans. This ensures minimal disruption during maintenance or component replacement. Both front-to-back and back-to-front airflow options are available, enabling compatibility with various data center cooling architectures. ## Software Architecture: Dell OS10 ### Modular Linux-Based Operating System The Dell S5296F-ON runs on the Dell OS10 Enterprise Edition, a Linux-based, modular operating system that provides a rich set of Layer 2 and Layer 3 networking features. OS10 also enables programmability and automation, making it an excellent fit for DevOps-driven infrastructures. Its open architecture facilitates integration with third-party tools and automation frameworks like Ansible, Chef, and Puppet. #### Automation and Scripting OS10 supports industry-standard scripting and automation tools. Network administrators can use Python and RESTful APIs to automate switch configuration and management. This reduces manual configuration errors and significantly accelerates deployment timelines for large-scale environments. #### Network Visibility and Telemetry Dell OS10 includes advanced telemetry features, enabling real-time network visibility and troubleshooting. The switch supports streaming telemetry, SNMP, sFlow, and IPFIX, which allow IT teams to monitor network performance, detect anomalies, and optimize resource allocation proactively. ## Advanced Networking Features ### Layer 2 and Layer 3 Capabilities The WRHD6 S5296F-ON offers comprehensive support for Layer 2 and Layer 3 protocols, including VLANs, Spanning Tree (STP), Link Aggregation (LACP), OSPF, BGP, and EVPN-VXLAN. These capabilities make it suitable for both simple and complex network topologies in enterprise and service provider environments. #### VXLAN and Network Virtualization VXLAN support allows the switch to create scalable, isolated Layer 2 networks across Layer 3 infrastructure. This is essential for multi-tenant environments and cloud data centers that require network segmentation and traffic isolation for security and compliance purposes. #### Multicast Routing and QoS The switch supports advanced multicast routing protocols like PIM-SM and IGMP Snooping, ideal for streaming and broadcast applications. Quality of Service (QoS) mechanisms are integrated to prioritize critical traffic, ensuring minimal latency and jitter for applications like VoIP, video conferencing, and data replication. ## Use Cases and Deployment Scenarios ### Top-of-Rack in Spine-Leaf Architecture As a high-density ToR switch, the WRHD6 is ideally suited for spine-leaf architectures in modern data centers. Its mix of 25GbE and 100GbE ports enables direct server connections and uplinks to spine switches, reducing oversubscription and enhancing east-west traffic efficiency. #### Enterprise Core Switching The switch can serve as a core switch in medium to large enterprise networks, offering the necessary redundancy, high throughput, and advanced routing capabilities. Its scalability and programmability allow organizations to future-proof their core infrastructure while ensuring seamless integration with emerging technologies. ### Hyper-Converged Infrastructure Support The S5296F-ON is fully compatible with hyper-converged infrastructure platforms, offering the bandwidth and low-latency required for storage and compute traffic consolidation. With support for RDMA over Converged Ethernet (RoCE), the switch enhances storage performance in NVMe over Fabrics (NVMe-oF) deployments. ## Energy Efficiency and Environmental Design ### Low Power Consumption The Dell WRHD6 S5296F-ON is built with energy-efficient components and dynamic power management features. It consumes significantly less power per gigabit compared to older generation switches, which contributes to reduced operating costs and a greener data center footprint. ### Environmental Certifications The switch complies with major environmental standards and certifications, including RoHS and ENERGY STAR. It is also optimized for use in high-temperature environments, with operational thresholds suitable for modern high-density rack deployments. ## Security and Compliance Features ### Network Access Control OS10 offers robust access control mechanisms such as IEEE 802.1X authentication, MAC address filtering, and role-based access control (RBAC). These features protect the switch from unauthorized access and ensure that only authenticated users can modify configurations or access critical data. #### Secure Management Protocols Secure management protocols such as SSH, HTTPS, and SNMPv3 are supported, enabling encrypted communication between administrators and the switch. This helps safeguard configuration and monitoring activities from interception and tampering. #### Firmware Integrity and Chain of Trust Dell?s Secure Boot and BIOS-level security features ensure firmware integrity throughout the system’s lifecycle. The switch also supports signed firmware updates, providing assurance that only authenticated, untampered software can run on the device. ## Scalability and Future-Readiness ### Modular Software Upgrades OS10?s modular architecture allows individual services to be upgraded without impacting the entire system. This feature is vital for maintaining high availability in mission-critical environments and for rapidly deploying new network features. ### Investment Protection The switch?s versatile hardware and software design ensure long-term usability, even as network demands evolve. Its support for industry standards and open APIs future-proofs the infrastructure and protects your capital investment from rapid obsolescence. ## Integration with Dell Ecosystem ### Open Networking Ecosystem As part of Dell?s open networking initiative, the S5296F-ON supports third-party network operating systems like Cumulus Linux and SONiC. This provides unparalleled flexibility for organizations pursuing disaggregated networking strategies. ### End-to-End Lifecycle Management Dell provides comprehensive lifecycle management tools for the WRHD6, including OpenManage Network Manager (OMNM), which allows centralized configuration, monitoring, and reporting. Seamless integration with Dell EMC platforms also ensures unified management across compute, storage, and network layers. ## Comparison with Competing Switches ### Competitive Advantage Over Arista and Cisco Compared to competing models from Arista and Cisco, the WRHD6 S5296F-ON offers superior port density and flexibility at a competitive price point. Dell?s commitment to open networking and modular OS10 software distinguishes it as a leader in customizable enterprise switching solutions. ### Flexible Licensing Model Dell?s OS10 licensing model is designed for flexibility, offering various tiers of functionality based on enterprise requirements. This ensures organizations can scale features and capabilities according to their specific needs and budget constraints. ## Maintenance and Support ### Dell ProSupport and ProDeploy The WRHD6 is backed by Dell?s industry-leading support services, including ProSupport for 24/7 issue resolution and ProDeploy for hassle-free installation and configuration. These services ensure optimal performance and reduce the time-to-value for new deployments. ### Firmware and Software Update Management Dell provides timely and secure firmware updates that address vulnerabilities and introduce new features. OS10 also supports automated update workflows that can be executed via CLI, REST APIs, or orchestration tools. ##