United States
Q
What are Dell Networking X Series Switches?
A
Dell Networking X Series Switches are high-performance, fixed-form-factor Ethernet switches offering 1/10/25/40/100GbE connectivity and advanced Layer 2/3 features powered by the open-networking Dell OS10 Enterprise.
Q
Which port speeds and densities are available in the X Series?
A
The X Series provides a range of port speeds from 1GbE to 100GbE, with models offering up to 32×100GbE QSFP28, up to 48×25GbE SFP28, or mixed 10/25/40/100GbE configurations to suit data-center and campus requirements.
Q
What operating system runs on Dell Networking X Series Switches?
A
Dell Networking X Series Switches run Dell OS10 Enterprise, an open, Linux-based network OS that supports modularity, automation, real-time telemetry and third-party tooling integration.
Q
How do X Series Switches support data-center fabric architectures?
A
X Series Switches enable scalable leaf-spine fabrics with VXLAN/EVPN, Virtual Link Trunking (VLT), segment routing and hardware-based overlays for low-latency, lossless connectivity and multitenant virtualization.
Q
What stacking and high-availability options are available?
A
Using Virtual Link Trunking (VLT) and SmartFabric Services, you can stack up to 12 X Series switches for active-active redundancy, zero-touch deployment and nondisruptive firmware upgrades.
Q
How is automation and programmability handled?
A
Dell OS10 supports native RESTful APIs, Ansible, Python SDK, SNMP, gNMI and integration with Dell EMC OpenManage Network Manager or CloudIQ for policy-based provisioning and real-time telemetry.
Q
What security features do X Series Switches offer?
A
X Series Switches provide comprehensive security with MACsec encryption, 802.1X authentication, dynamic ACLs, DHCP snooping, IP source guard and control-plane policing to mitigate unauthorized access and DDoS threats.
Q
Can I use third-party optics and cables?
A
Yes. Dell Networking X Series Switches support multiprotocol optics and DAC/AOC cables from Dell and certified third-party vendors, ensuring flexibility and cost optimization in your infrastructure.
Q
How do X Series Switches integrate with VMware NSX?
A
X Series Switches fully support VMware NSX with VXLAN/EVPN hardware offload, centralized control-plane integration and seamless tenant segmentation for optimized overlay network performance.
Q
What monitoring and analytics capabilities are built in?
A
Dell OS10 provides streaming telemetry, sFlow, IPFIX and on-box packet capture, while CloudIQ and OpenManage Network Manager deliver real-time dashboards, health scores and predictive analytics.
Q
What power and cooling efficiencies do they deliver?
A
X Series Switches feature front-to-back or back-to-front airflow options, variable-speed fans and energy-efficient power supplies that dynamically adjust for optimal performance and reduced operating costs.
Q
How do I upgrade firmware on Dell Networking X Series Switches?
A
Firmware upgrades can be automated using Dell EMC OpenManage Network Manager, CloudIQ or CLI-based tools, with in-service software upgrade (ISSU) support to eliminate network downtime.
Q
What warranty and support options are available?
A
Dell offers a Limited Lifetime Warranty on hardware with next-business-day onsite exchange, plus ProSupport and ProSupport Plus services for 24×7 expert assistance and rapid problem resolution.
Q
How scalable is the X Series for growing networks?
A
With up to 768 ports per VLT domain, flexible 1/10/25/40/100GbE expansion and fabric-wide management, the X Series scales seamlessly from small campus deployments to hyperscale data centers.
Q
Which use cases are ideal for Dell Networking X Series?
A
The X Series excels in data-center spine-leaf fabrics, high-performance computing clusters, campus core/aggregation layers and branch consolidation for unified wired/wireless access.
