The Brocade VDX 6720 40-port 10 GbE SFP+ switch delivers enterprise-grade data center connectivity with wire-speed performance and ultra-low latency. This 2U rackmount switch features 40 active 10 Gigabit Ethernet ports, expandable to 60 ports through Ports on Demand, providing flexible capacity scaling. With 1200 Gbps switching bandwidth and 600 nanosecond port-to-port latency, it supports mission-critical applications requiring deterministic performance. The switch includes dual hot-swappable 500W power supplies, triple redundant cooling fans in n+1 configuration, and comprehensive Layer 2/3 switching capabilities. It supports 32,000 MAC addresses, 4,096 VLANs, and advanced features including Data Center Bridging, FCoE, and hardware-based ISL trunking. Ideal for high-performance computing, cloud infrastructure, and virtualized environments requiring reliable, low-latency connectivity.
40 active 10 GbE SFP+ ports, expandable to 60
1200 Gbps switching bandwidth, 600ns latency
Dual 500W PSUs, triple n+1 redundant cooling
32,000 MAC addresses, 4,096 VLANs, 9,600-byte jumbo frames
Data Center Bridging, FCoE, hardware ISL trunking
2U rackmount, FIPS 140-2 Level 2 certified
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Refunds within 14 days and replacements within 30 days of delivery with an RMA (25% restocking fee on customer-initiated returns), and every part carries our Standard 30-Day Warranty - see our return policy or contact US IT Hardware.
No specific server or OS compatibility lists found in sources
Best for
Cloud Infrastructure
Supports virtualized environments requiring high-throughput, low-latency interconnects. The 40 active 10 GbE ports with 600ns latency enable efficient VM migration and real-time data replication across distributed data centers.
High-Performance Computing (HPC)
Delivers wire-speed 10 GbE performance with 1200 Gbps switching bandwidth and ultra-low 600ns port-to-port latency, critical for parallel processing and scientific computing workloads.
Storage Networks
Supports FCoE and Data Center Bridging (DCB) with 9,600-byte jumbo frames and 8 priority flow control classes, enabling lossless storage connectivity and efficient SAN consolidation.
Enterprise Data Centers
Provides scalable 40-to-60 port expansion via Ports on Demand, supporting growth without hardware replacement. Redundant power supplies and n+1 cooling ensure high availability.
Financial Services & Trading
Ultra-low 600ns latency and deterministic performance meet strict requirements for algorithmic trading, real-time analytics, and mission-critical transaction processing.
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Two hot-swappable, load-sharing 500W AC power supplies
Maximum Power Consumption
360W for 60-port configuration
Physical Characteristics
Weight
15.88 kg (35.00 lb)
Dimensions
Height: 2U; Width: 42.88 cm (16.88 in.); Depth: 43.18 cm (17.00 in.)
Form Factor
2U rackmount; 19-inch EIA-compliant
Environmental
Cooling Fans
Triple hot-swappable fans in n+1 redundant configuration
Airflow Direction
Port side exhaust
Environmental Monitoring
Real-time clock with battery; voltage monitoring; fan monitoring; three temperature sensors; I2C interface
Interface/Ports
Console Port
RJ-45 to RS-232 fixed
Network Ports
40 x 10 GbE SFP+ ports (configurable to 1 GbE); 20 additional 10 GbE ports available via Ports on Demand for total of 60
Management Port
USB for firmware and diagnostics
Port-to-Port Latency
600 ns within port groups; 1.8 µs across port groups
What is the maximum port count and can it be expanded?
The VDX 6720 40-port model includes 40 active 10 GbE SFP+ ports and is expandable to 60 ports via Ports on Demand licensing. Additional ports can be activated in 10-port increments (40→50→60), allowing flexible capacity scaling without hardware replacement or downtime.
What latency performance does this switch deliver?
Port-to-port latency is 600 nanoseconds within port groups and 1.8 microseconds across port groups. This ultra-low latency makes it suitable for high-frequency trading, HPC, and real-time analytics where microsecond delays impact performance and competitive advantage.
Does it support storage networking and FCoE?
Yes. The VDX 6720 supports Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE), Data Center Bridging (DCB), and lossless Ethernet with 8 priority flow control classes. It supports 9,600-byte jumbo frames and hardware-based ISL trunking, enabling efficient SAN consolidation and converged infrastructure.
What redundancy features are included?
The switch includes dual hot-swappable 500W AC power supplies with load-sharing, triple hot-swappable cooling fans in n+1 redundant configuration, and real-time environmental monitoring. All components can be replaced without powering down the switch, ensuring continuous operation.
What management and monitoring capabilities are available?
Management includes IPv4/IPv6 support, industry-standard CLI, in-band management, LLDP (IEEE 802.1AB), and MIB II (RFC 1213). The switch features real-time clock with battery, voltage monitoring, fan monitoring, three temperature sensors, and sFlow RFC 3176 for traffic analysis.
Is this switch suitable for multi-tenant cloud environments?
Yes. The VDX 6720 supports 4,096 VLANs, 32,000 MAC addresses, and 256 multicast groups, enabling robust multi-tenant isolation and segmentation. Link aggregation (16 ports per group, 64 groups maximum) and advanced Layer 3 routing (OSPF, VRRP) support complex cloud architectures.
What compliance certifications does it hold?
The VDX 6720 is FIPS 140-2 Level 2 certified as a cryptographic module and meets safety standards including UL 60950-1, CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 60950-1, EN 60950-1, and IEC 60950-1, ensuring compliance with enterprise security and safety requirements.
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