Layer 3 Switch ALCATEL OmniSwitch OS6900X48E-R-EU — 40x10G SFP+, 8x25G, 4x100G, 1RU

ALCATEL OmniSwitch OS6900X48E-R-EU is a 1RU Layer 3 switch engineered for high-density uplink and server connectivity in campus aggregation and data centre access layers. It provides 40 SFP+ 10G ports, 8 native 25G ports and 4 100G ports in a compact chassis, delivering multi-rate port flexibility and hardware resources suited to routing, virtualization and converged network topologies.

Advantages

The switch combines high port density with multi-rate interfaces to support mixed 10G, 25G and 100G environments without external media adapters. Built-in Layer 3 routing capabilities and switching performance enable efficient east-west and north-south traffic flows. The 1RU form factor optimises rack space while offering the throughput necessary for aggregation, server top-of-rack and access-switch consolidation. Management, monitoring and feature support are designed to integrate with campus and data centre networking policies.

Suitable for

• Campus aggregation switches where multiple access switches must be consolidated.
• Data centre access layers serving high-density server racks and virtualization hosts.
• Top-of-rack deployments that require mixed 10G/25G server connectivity and uplinks to spine switches.
• Environments needing hardware-based Layer 3 routing and high-throughput switching for east-west traffic.

When it may not be suitable

This product is intended for professional network environments; it may not be suitable for small offices or home users that do not require high port counts or multi-rate 25G/100G connectivity. Organizations that need modular chassis expansion, a large number of 40G ports, or substantially different port mixes might consider alternatives tailored to those specific interface requirements.

Key specifications

• Form factor: 1RU fixed configuration.
• Port interfaces: 40 x 10G SFP+ ports, 8 x 25G native ports, 4 x 100G ports.
• Layer functionality: Layer 2 switching with Layer 3 routing capabilities.
• Target role: campus aggregation and data centre access/top-of-rack.
• Multi-rate support: mixed 10G, 25G and 100G connectivity in a single chassis.

How to use

Install the switch in a standard 19-inch rack using the supplied mounting brackets and secure appropriate power and cooling. Connect access uplinks and server ports according to planned VLANs and routing domains. Use the vendor management interface or supported network management tools to configure VLANs, routing protocols, port channeling, quality of service and security policies. For high-availability designs, configure link aggregation and redundant uplinks to aggregation or spine layers. Monitor performance and health through SNMP or the platform’s telemetry features.

What to consider before purchase

• Verify required cabling and transceivers for 10G, 25G and 100G links are available and compatible.
• Confirm the routing, switching and feature set matches your network protocol and security requirements.
• Plan rack space, power capacity and cooling for a 1RU device in your data centre or wiring closet.
• Assess integration with existing network management and orchestration systems.

Usage recommendations

Use this switch where mixed-rate server and uplink connectivity is required; group similar-speed ports into appropriate VLANs and configure routing at the aggregation layer to optimise east-west traffic. Keep firmware updated and schedule monitoring to maintain performance and stability.