The NVIDIA Mellanox SN2010, SN2100, and SN2700 are not interchangeable simply because they belong to the same SN2000 family. Their port layouts, physical dimensions, airflow options, power configurations, and breakout capabilities lead to different deployment decisions.
- 25GbE access, compact 100GbE switching, and high-density fabric design
- Half-width chassis, standard-depth racks, and short-depth SN2700 options
- P2C/C2P airflow, power planning, transceiver limits, and breakout cables
- Platform recommendations by server, leaf, spine, and rack scenario
- The model, rack, airflow, power, cable, and optic information to prepare
- Common questions about 25GbE, 100GbE, rack depth, airflow, and optics
- A practical selection rule for SN2010, SN2100, and SN2700
SN2010, SN2100, and SN2700 at a Glance
| Model Family | Native Port Layout | Physical Format | Typical Network Role | Main Selection Issue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SN2010 | 18 × SFP28 plus 4 × QSFP28 | Half-width 1U, approximately 508 mm deep | 10/25GbE server access with 40/100GbE uplinks | Lower QSFP28 density than SN2100 and SN2700 |
| SN2100 | 16 × QSFP28 | Half-width 1U, approximately 508 mm deep | Compact 40/50/100GbE leaf or top-of-rack switching | 25GbE access requires planned breakout or QSA design |
| SN2700 | 32 × QSFP28 | Full-width 1U; standard-depth and short-depth variants | High-density 100GbE leaf, spine, or fabric deployment | Exact rack depth, airflow, and PSU option must be verified |
The MSN2010-CB2RC, MSN2100-CB2F, and MSN2700-CS2R are examples of specific orderable configurations. The exact OPN should be confirmed before selecting power supplies, fan modules, rack kits, or optical accessories.
Send the exact OPN, rack depth, airflow, PSU, and optic requirements.
Choose by Network Role
SN2010: 25GbE Access with 100GbE Uplinks
The SN2010 is the most natural fit when the access side of the network is built around SFP28 server connections. It provides 18 native SFP28 ports for 10/25GbE connections and 4 QSFP28 ports for higher-speed uplinks.
This layout is suitable for 25GbE server racks, storage systems, GPU nodes, compact leaf switches, and environments that need 100GbE uplinks without requiring a large number of QSFP28 ports.
- Use the SFP28 ports for native 10/25GbE server connections.
- Reserve the QSFP28 ports for 40/100GbE uplinks or supported breakout designs.
- Confirm the required cable and transceiver type before assigning breakout lanes.
SN2100: Compact 100GbE Leaf or Top-of-Rack Switching
The SN2100 is built around 16 QSFP28 ports. It is a stronger fit when most connections are 40/50/100GbE, or when a compact half-width switch with high-speed port density is required.
Supported designs can use QSFP28 ports for 40GbE, 50GbE, and 100GbE connections. Lower-speed 10/25GbE connections may require supported breakout cables or QSA adapters.
A QSFP28 port should not automatically be treated as four independent SFP28 ports. The splitter, transceiver, port mode, software support, and remote interface must be checked as one design.
SN2700: High-Density 100GbE Fabric Switching
The SN2700 provides 32 QSFP28 ports and is intended for higher-density fabric designs. It is commonly considered for 100GbE leaf switches, spine switches, high-performance computing fabrics, storage networks, and AI-oriented east-west traffic.
With supported splitter cables, an SN2700 can provide a larger number of lower-speed connections than its native port count suggests. This flexibility is useful, but it also makes port mapping and cable documentation more important.
Rack Depth and Installation Planning
SN2010 and SN2100 Rack Planning
The SN2010 and SN2100 are half-width 1U systems with a depth of approximately 508 mm. Their half-width design can be useful in compact server racks, colocation environments, and installations where two switches may be mounted side by side.
Chassis depth is only one part of the installation envelope. Power connectors, optical modules, DAC or AOC bend radius, rear clearance, cable managers, and rack doors may require additional space.
- Measure usable rack depth rather than the external cabinet depth.
- Allow clearance for power cables and rear airflow.
- Check whether installed DAC or AOC cables contact the rear door.
- Confirm the side-by-side mounting kit for the exact chassis configuration.
SN2700 Standard-Depth and Short-Depth Options
SN2700 configurations can differ significantly in depth. A standard-depth configuration is approximately 686.8 mm, while a short-depth configuration is approximately 432 mm.
A standard-depth SN2700 may fit a full-depth data center cabinet but be unsuitable for a shallow telecom, edge, or colocation rack. A short-depth version may solve the physical limitation, but the chassis, PSU, airflow, and mounting accessories still need to be checked against the exact OPN.
- Confirm the exact chassis depth.
- Verify the rack rail and mounting-kit compatibility.
- Check PSU and fan airflow direction.
- Measure rear cable clearance and bend radius.
- Confirm door and cable-manager clearance.
Airflow, Power, and Optics Compatibility
Match the Airflow Direction to the Rack
Airflow should be treated as a system-level compatibility requirement. NVIDIA configurations commonly use P2C and C2P airflow descriptions. P2C generally moves air from the power-supply side toward the connector side, while C2P uses the opposite direction.
The correct choice depends on the rack’s cold-aisle and hot-aisle layout. Verify the exact switch OPN, PSU airflow direction, fan-module direction, rack cooling arrangement, and cable-side orientation before installation.
Do not select airflow based only on the SN2010, SN2100, or SN2700 family name. Two configurations may have the same port layout but require different airflow variants because they are installed in different rack positions.
Typical Power and PSU Planning
| Platform | Typical Power with Passive Cables | Planning Note |
|---|---|---|
| SN2010 | Approximately 66 W | Actual draw changes with optics, cables, fans, and traffic load |
| SN2100 | Approximately 74 W | Verify PSU configuration and redundancy requirements |
| SN2700 | Approximately 130 W | Confirm one-PSU or two-PSU configuration for the exact OPN |
These figures are comparison references under defined test conditions. They should not be used as the final rack power budget. Final planning should include the selected optics, cable type, fan behavior, PSU redundancy, site power margin, and cooling capacity.
Check High-Power Optical Ports
Not every port necessarily has the same transceiver power limit. The NVIDIA Spectrum SN2000 hardware specifications should be checked together with the exact OPN and software release before ordering high-power optics.
| Platform | High-Power Port Locations | Maximum Supported Transceiver Power |
|---|---|---|
| SN2700 | Ports 1, 2, 31, and 32 | Up to 5.0 W |
| SN2100 | Ports 1, 2, 15, and 16 | Up to 5.0 W |
| SN2010 | Ports 19–22 | Up to 4.5 W |
| SN2010 | Ports 1, 2, 17, and 18 | Up to 2.5 W |
This matters when the design uses long-distance 100GbE optics, active optical cables, extended-reach modules, or third-party transceivers. Match the optical module to the physical port, not only to the switch model.
Which Platform Fits Each Deployment?
Choose SN2010 When
- Most endpoints use native 10GbE or 25GbE SFP28 interfaces.
- The design needs a few 40/100GbE uplinks.
- A half-width 1U form factor is useful.
- Simple server-facing cabling is more important than QSFP28 density.
- The rack can accommodate a chassis approximately 508 mm deep.
Choose SN2100 When
- The majority of links are 40/50/100GbE.
- A half-width 1U switch is required.
- Two switches may be installed side by side.
- 25GbE is needed through a planned breakout or QSA design.
- Compact high-speed leaf or top-of-rack density is the priority.
Choose SN2700 When
- The fabric needs up to 32 QSFP28 ports.
- The switch will operate as a high-density leaf or spine.
- The design includes many 100GbE links.
- Large-scale breakout to 25GbE is required.
- The rack can accommodate the selected standard-depth or short-depth configuration.
Information to Include in a Quote Request
A configuration review is more useful when the request includes the complete installation context. The following information helps match the switch, PSU, airflow, optics, cables, and mounting accessories.
- Exact switch OPN
- Required number of 10/25/40/50/100GbE ports
- Native-port and breakout-port requirements
- Rack width and usable depth
- Required airflow direction
- AC or DC power requirement
- Single-feed or redundant-feed design
- Optic, DAC, or AOC part numbers
- High-power transceiver requirements
- Operating system and software version
- Required rack kit and cable-management accessories
- Target installation date
Frequently Asked Questions
Final Takeaway
The SN2010 is the practical starting point for 25GbE server access with 100GbE uplinks. The SN2100 is better suited to compact QSFP28-based 40/50/100GbE switching. The SN2700 is the high-density choice for 100GbE leaf, spine, and large breakout designs.
The final purchase decision should be based on the complete hardware configuration, not only the switch family. Confirm the exact OPN, chassis depth, airflow direction, PSU configuration, mounting hardware, transceiver power, and cable design before deployment.