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What is a 25G Switch?
A 25G switch, or 25 Gigabit Ethernet switch, is a network switch that provides connectivity at a speed of 25 Gbps (gigabits per second). These switches are increasingly utilized in modern data centers and enterprise networks to facilitate high-speed data transfer and enhance network bandwidth. They serve as a bridge between the more prevalent 10G and 40G switches, offering an efficient upgrade path for organizations aiming to improve their network performance without making the leap directly to 40G or 100G speeds.
Application Scenarios for 25G Network Switches
In today’s fast-paced digital environment, 25G switches are crucial across various network layers, enhancing connectivity and performance in multiple settings:
- Enterprise Networks: In corporate environments, 25G switches act as the backbone of connectivity. They function as access layer switches, connecting employees’ computers, IP phones, and wireless access points to ensure high-speed network access. In larger organizations, these switches also serve at the aggregation layer, efficiently consolidating traffic from various departments and directing it to the core layer, thereby improving performance and simplifying network management.
- Data Centers: Within data centers, 25G switches are essential. Positioned in the leaf layer, they provide rapid network access and ensure stable data transmission between servers. These switches can also connect to storage devices, meeting the high bandwidth demands of data storage and retrieval, which is vital for maintaining the efficiency and reliability required in modern data centers.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a 25G Switch
When selecting a 25G switch, it is crucial to evaluate several key factors to ensure the device meets current needs and can scale for future demands:
- Performance: The performance of a 25G data center switch hinges on its chipset and CPU, which are critical for processing data, managing high-speed traffic, and handling large volumes without bottlenecks. Opt for switches equipped with advanced ASICs (Application-Specific Integrated Circuits) that deliver high throughput and low latency. Ensure the CPU can effectively manage control plane tasks, allowing the switch to handle both routine and complex operations in a dynamic data center environment.
- Hardware Design: The design of the hardware significantly impacts maintenance and reliability. Look for features such as hot-swappable components (e.g., power supplies and fans) to minimize downtime during maintenance. Additionally, robust heat dissipation capabilities are essential to manage high thermal loads. An effective fan system design ensures optimal airflow, reducing hotspots and maintaining appropriate temperatures. High port density switches also enhance scalability by supporting more connections, reducing the need for additional switches.
- Software: A powerful network operating system is vital for switches, particularly in data centers where they must manage complex workloads. The software should offer a comprehensive suite of features, including Layer 2/3 functionalities, virtualization capabilities, and advanced security and management options. Consider advanced features such as RDMA over Converged Ethernet (RoCE) and EVPN Mutihoming when deploying 25G switches in data center scenarios.
- Cost and Budget: Finally, assess both the initial purchase cost and ongoing operational expenses to make an informed decision.
Asterfusion 25G Switches Choices based on Enterprise SONiC
Asterfusion 25G switches are categorized into 3 models, CX202P-24Y-M-H and CX308P-48Y-M-H and CX308P-48Y-N-V2. They are pre-installed with enhanced enterprise SONiC NOS with rich and diverse interfaces, and Asterfusion provides different port choices for different users’ budgets. The performance of these three 25G switches differs due to the differences in chips and installed software versions. Neither is better or worse, but they are more of a choice in different scenarios.
First, let me introduce two campus-oriented models: CX202P-24Y-M-H and CX308P-48Y-M-H.
CX202P-24Y-M-H: Powerful 25G Switch for Campus Core/Aggregation
The CX202P-24Y-M-H from Asterfusion is a versatile 25G switch with 24×25G SFP28 downlinks(backward compatible with 10G) and 2×100G QSFP28 uplinks (backward compatible with 40G), making it suitable for campus aggregation, and core layers.
Equipped with the Enterprise SONiC distribution for campus networks, the CX202P-24Y-M-Hdelivers a comprehensive and feature-rich software stack. It supports advanced virtualization technologies such as VXLAN,BGP-EVPN and EVPN Mutihoming ,allowing it to seamlessly operate as both a campus access switch and a data center leaf—bringing true architectural convergence and deployment flexibility.
Powered by the Marvell Aldrin3 chip, the platform provides a substantial performance upgrade over previous generations. Its hardware capabilities include:
- MAC Address Table: 32K
- Forwarding Rate: 810 Mpps
- IPv4 Routes: 266K
- IPv6 Routes: 133K
- ARP Entries: 16K
Software Capabilities:
- Advanced virtualization: VXLAN, BGP-EVPN
- High Availability :MC-LAG and EVPN Multihoming
- Security: MACsec for encrypted data transmission
- Timing synchronization: PTP Class C with up to 10-nanosecond accuracy
- Layer 3 functionality: full routing capability for campus and aggregation scenarios
Despite its high-end capabilities, the CX202P-24Y-M-H is priced at under $3,000, making it an exceptionally cost-effective solution. It enables organizations to achieve carrier-grade performance, security, and precision timing—while maintaining strict budget control.
CX308P-48Y-M: 25G Aggregation & Core Switch for Campus and Cloud-Edge Networks
The CX308P-48Y-M is a high-performance 25G switch designed for aggregation and core deployments in enterprise campus networks, while also serving as a leaf switch in cloud-scale architectures. It is equipped with 48×25G SFP28 ports and 8×100G QSFP28 uplinks, comes preloaded with the Asterfusion Enterprise SONiC distribution, and is powered by the Marvell Falcon chip to deliver high-capacity IPv4 routing and advanced forwarding performance.
- MAC Address Entries: 32K
- Forwarding Rate: 2.8 Bpps
- IPv4 Routes: 504K
- IPv6 Routes: 252K
- Packet Buffer: 24 MB
The platform delivers a rich set of modern networking capabilities, including:
- Advanced virtualization: VXLAN, BGP-EVPN
- High Availability :MC-LAG and EVPN Multihoming
- Timing synchronization: PTP Class C with up to 10-nanosecond accuracy
- Layer 3 functionality: full routing capability for campus and aggregation scenarios
Unlike data center–focused models, the CX308P-48Y-M is not designed for RoCE-based lossless Ethernet scenarios, but instead focuses on: enterprise campus aggregation and core switching layers or cloud-edge leaf deployments
CX308P-48Y-N-V2: Powerful 25G Switch for Data Center Support ROCEv2 & EVPN Multihoming
The CX308P-48Y-N-V2 shares the same hardware platform as the CX308P-48Y-M, with the key difference lying in the NOS layer. It is preloaded with the Enterprise SONiC distribution for data center, making it specifically optimized for high-performance data center environments.
Powered by the Marvell Falcon chip, the CX308P-48Y-N-V2 delivers significantly enhanced processing capabilities, making it well-suited for Top-of-Rack (ToR) deployments in modern data centers and providing a strong foundation for high-density, high-performance networking. It provides:
- Switching Capacity: 2.0 Tbps
- Forwarding Rate: 2,600 Mpps
- MAC Address Entries: 128K
- IPv4/IPv6 Routes: IPv4 288K host + 288K prefix / IPv6 144K host + 144K prefix
- ARP Entries: 92K
- Jumbo Frame Support: up to 9,216 bytes
- VLANs: up to 4,094
In addition, it delivers a rich set of data center software features, including:
- RoCEv2 (RDMA over Converged Ethernet v2)
- EVPN Multihoming
- VXLAN overlay networking
- BGP-EVPN control plane integration
- Advanced telemetry and visibility (INT – In-band Network Telemetry)
- High availability and fast convergence mechanisms
- PTP Class C time synchronization support
These capabilities enable efficient, scalable, and lossless networking for cloud-scale and AI/data center workloads.
Asterfusion 25G Switch Models Comparison
| Item | CX202P-24Y-M-H | CX308P-48Y-M | CX308P-48Y-N-V2 |
| Positioning | Campus access / aggregation / light DC leaf | Campus aggregation & core / cloud-edge leaf | Data center ToR / leaf |
| Hardware Chip | Marvell Aldrin3 | Marvell Falcon | Marvell Falcon |
| Downlink Ports | 24 × 25G SFP28 | 48 × 25G SFP28 | 48 × 25G SFP28 |
| Uplink Ports | 2 × 100G QSFP28 | 8 × 100G QSFP28 | 8 × 100G QSFP28 |
| Switching Capacity | ~810 Mpps | 2.0 Tbps | 2.0 Tbps |
| Forwarding Rate | 810Mpps | 2.8 Bpps | 2.6 Bpps |
| NOS | Enterprise SONiC (Campus) | Enterprise SONiC (Campus/) | Enterprise SONiC (data center) |
| Virtualization support | VXLAN + BGP-EVPN+EVPN MH | VXLAN + BGP-EVPN + EVPN MH | VXLAN + BGP-EVPN + EVPN MH |
| RoCE Support | ❌ Not supported | ❌ Not supported | ✔ RoCEv2 supported |
| PTP | ✔ PTP Class C (10ns) | ✔ PTP Class C (10ns) | ✔ PTP Class C (10ns) |
| MACsec | ✔ Supported | ❌ Not supported | ❌ Not supported |
| Telemetry (INT) | ❌ Not supported | ❌ Not supported | Advanced INT telemetry |
How to Choose your Right 25G Switch?
- Campus aggregation + cost efficiency + timing (PTP) + MACsec security → CX202P
- Campus core + high-density + scalability → CX308P-M
- Data center + RoCE + highest performance → CX308P-N-V2
Asterfusion 25G Optical Module Choices
According to the encapsulation form and transmission medium, 25G optical modules are mainly divided into SFP28 optical modules, CWDM and DWDM optical modules, AOC (Active Optical Cable) and DAC (Directly Attached Copper Cable), Asterfusion has both SFP28 optical modules as well as AOCs and DACs, which can be selected by users according to their needs.
At Asterfusion, we understand that different scenarios and budgets require tailored solutions. From campus environments to expansive data centers, we offer a variety of high-performance and cost-effective options.If you’re interested in selecting Asterfusion 10G switches, check out our in-depth article for more insights!
Feel free to reach out if you have any further questions or need more information! 🌟
Reference:
Asterfusion enterprise SONiC based 25G/10G open network switch overview
100G Data Center Switches: Driving the Future through Open Networking
