Why It’s Time to Upgrade Your Huawei S5720 to the S5735 Series

Enterprise networks are undergoing rapid transformation driven by cloud adoption, AI workloads, Wi-Fi 6/6E/7 deployments, and Zero Trust security models. In this evolving landscape, legacy access and aggregation switches like the Huawei S5720 series are increasingly unable to meet modern performance, security, and operational requirements.

Upgrading to the Huawei S5735 series is not just a hardware refresh—it is a strategic move to improve scalability, security, automation, and long-term network sustainability.

Table of Contents

• Part 1: End-of-Life Risks and Lifecycle Limitations
• Part 2: Modern Network Demands Are Outgrowing Legacy Hardware
• Part 3: Huawei S5735 Series Overview
• Part 4: Performance and Power Delivery Improvements
• Part 5: Security and Compliance Considerations
• Part 6: Network Automation and Operational Efficiency
• Part 7: Supply Chain Stability and TCO
• Part 8: Migration Planning Considerations
• Part 9: FAQ

Part 1: End-of-Life Risks and Lifecycle Limitations

One of the most critical reasons to consider an upgrade is product lifecycle status.

As the Huawei S5720 series moves through its end-of-life and end-of-service phases, organizations may face:

• Limited or no firmware updates
• Reduced technical support availability
• Difficulty sourcing replacement hardware
• Increasing maintenance costs over time

Running infrastructure without active vendor support introduces operational and compliance risks, especially for enterprises operating under strict security or regulatory requirements.

Part 2: Modern Network Demands Are Outgrowing Legacy Hardware

Enterprise traffic patterns have changed significantly in recent years. Networks must now support:

• Cloud-based applications and SaaS platforms
• High-definition video conferencing
• IoT device proliferation
• AI and data-intensive workloads
• High-density wireless access (Wi-Fi 6/6E/7)

The S5720 was designed for earlier network requirements and may encounter limitations such as:

• Insufficient forwarding performance under heavy loads
• Uplink congestion in aggregation scenarios
• Limited scalability in high-density environments

Part 3: Huawei S5735 Series Overview

The Huawei S5735 series (CloudEngine access switches) is built to address the demands of modern enterprise environments.

Key improvements include:

• Higher forwarding performance and throughput
• Enhanced uplink options including 10GE and 25GE
• Improved support for high-density deployments
• Advanced PoE capabilities for modern endpoint devices
• More efficient hardware architecture

These capabilities make the S5735 better suited for campus networks, enterprise access layers, and environments with growing bandwidth requirements.

Part 4: Performance and Power Delivery Improvements

Modern edge devices such as IP cameras, wireless access points, and digital signage require reliable power delivery and higher bandwidth.

Compared to S5720, the S5735 series provides:

• More robust PoE support, including PoE+ and PoE++ scenarios
• Perpetual PoE and Fast PoE for uninterrupted operation during reboots
• Better handling of high-power endpoints and dense device environments

Improved uplink bandwidth also helps prevent congestion when aggregating traffic from multiple access ports.

Part 5: Security and Compliance Considerations

Security requirements have evolved toward Zero Trust architectures, where identity verification, encryption, and segmentation are critical at every layer.

Older platforms like S5720 may lack:

• Advanced hardware-based encryption capabilities
• Modern authentication frameworks
• Integrated threat detection capabilities

The S5735 series improves alignment with modern security frameworks by supporting:

• 802.1X and MAC-based authentication
• Network segmentation and policy enforcement
• Encryption and secure communication mechanisms
• Integration with centralized network management platforms

Part 6: Network Automation and Operational Efficiency

Legacy switches often rely heavily on manual configuration and troubleshooting processes, which can increase operational overhead.

The S5735 series supports modern network operations with:

• Centralized management platforms such as Huawei iMaster NCE-Campus
• Zero-touch provisioning (ZTP)
• Real-time telemetry and monitoring
• Automated fault detection and diagnostics
• SDN and API-based integration

Super Virtual Fabric (SVF) enables multiple devices to be managed as a single logical entity, simplifying operations and reducing complexity.

Part 7: Supply Chain Stability and TCO

Hardware lifecycle is not the only concern—procurement and supply chain stability also play a major role in long-term planning.

Organizations continuing to rely on aging S5720 hardware may face:

• Limited availability of replacement units
• Unpredictable lead times
• Higher secondary-market pricing
• Increased downtime risk

Upgrading to actively manufactured platforms like the S5735 series provides more predictable procurement cycles and improved long-term maintainability.

For procurement and sourcing flexibility, platforms such as Router-switch and IT-Price can help teams evaluate availability and streamline purchasing decisions.

Part 8: Migration Planning Considerations

Before upgrading from S5720 to S5735, organizations should evaluate:

• Compatibility with existing network topology and protocols
• Port density and uplink requirements
• Power and rack constraints
• Integration with monitoring and management systems
• Phased migration strategies to minimize downtime

A staged rollout with proper validation in a test environment is recommended to ensure a smooth transition.

Part 9: FAQ

Why should enterprises upgrade from Huawei S5720 to S5735?

The S5735 offers improved performance, better uplink capacity, enhanced security features, and longer lifecycle support, making it more suitable for modern enterprise networks.

Is Huawei S5720 still suitable for production networks?

It can still function in stable environments, but limitations in lifecycle support, performance, and scalability make it less ideal for modern or expanding infrastructures.

What are the main advantages of Huawei S5735?

The S5735 provides higher throughput, advanced PoE capabilities, better automation support, improved security features, and stronger alignment with modern networking architectures.

How does supply chain impact switch upgrades?

Legacy devices may face limited availability and unpredictable lead times, while newer platforms typically offer more stable procurement and better long-term support.

What should be considered before migrating?

Key considerations include compatibility, network design, port requirements, migration strategy, and validation testing to minimize operational disruption.