Huawei EOL Network Equipment: Complete List

Aug 10 , 2026 7

TL;DR: Huawei announces end-of-life per model rather than per family. The S9700 core and several S5700-series models are in the EOL window, while the S12700E and CE6800/CE7800 remain the supported targets. This page covers the main EOL Huawei platforms, their successors, and what to verify before buying them used.

Huawei End-of-Life Platforms at a Glance

Huawei’s lifecycle process publishes per-model dates: end of sale, end of software maintenance (EOS), and end of service support (EOSS). The table below reflects the typical status of the most traded families — always confirm the exact model code on Huawei’s official lifecycle page:

Why Huawei EOL Gear Is Still Widely Used

Huawei equipment has a strong installed base in Asia-Pacific and emerging markets, and many operators run EOL S-series switches for years because the hardware is robust and VRP is stable. For organizations that already run Huawei, extending the fleet with second-hand units of the same family keeps operations consistent — the key is knowing exactly where each model sits in its lifecycle.

Upgrade Paths: Where to Go Next

S5700 access to S5735/S5736

For new builds, the S5735/S5736 families replace the S5700 in the access role. In the second-hand market, the pre-owned S5720-52P-LI remains a solid, inexpensive access switch with 52 ports and PoE options for phones and cameras.

S9700 core to S12700E

The S12700E chassis is the designated successor for campus cores. If your budget does not allow a core refresh, tested used S9700 or CloudEngine CE6850 units can extend the life of a secondary or regional core.

Security gateways

Older USG models yield to the USG6000 series; a used USG6322E covers small-site perimeter roles well within its remaining support window.

Buying Used Huawei: What to Check

• Exact model code: S5720-52P-LI and S5720-52X-LI differ in features and support status — verify the full code.
• VRP version: confirm the installed VRP train and whether it is still patched for the model.
• Stacking: Huawei stack (iStack) requires matching models and VRP versions — confirm before mixing units.
• Testing: require the seller’s pre-shipment testing report covering ports, PoE and burn-in.
• Warranty: confirm the seller warranty in writing, since factory support is gone on EOL models.

Browse our used Huawei equipment page for tested S-series, CloudEngine and USG units.

Looking for reliable used network equipment at a fair price? Send us the model list and we will reply with availability and pricing within 24 hours.

FAQ

Q: Is the Huawei S5720 end-of-life?

A: Huawei announces EOL on a per-model basis rather than per series. Many S5720 models are in the later lifecycle phase, while newer S5735/S5736 models are actively sold. Check the Huawei lifecycle page with the exact model code for the EOL dates.

Q: What is the replacement for the Huawei S9700?

A: The S9700 core switches are in the EOL window; the S12700E series is the designated successor for campus core roles, with higher capacity and newer VRP releases.

Q: Do used Huawei switches need licenses?

A: Most S-series switch features are enabled in the base VRP image. Some advanced features (like certain security or WLAN controllers) require licenses tied to the device, and they usually stay with the hardware — confirm the feature set with the seller before buying.

Q: Is VRP still supported on older Huawei switches?

A: Support depends on the VRP version and the model’s lifecycle phase. Once a model reaches EOS, no new VRP patches are released for it. The installed software keeps working, but there are no more security fixes — plan replacement for internet-facing roles.

Q: Can I use a used Huawei switch alongside newer S-series gear?

A: Yes. S-series switches interoperate in the same network and support standard protocols (STP, link aggregation, VLAN trunking) across generations. Just keep VRP versions on a compatible train and match stacking models exactly for stack setup.

Q: Are used Huawei switches a good value in 2026?

A: For enterprise access and campus networks outside China, used Huawei gear offers strong price-to-performance: tested units like the S5720 sell far below new equivalents. Buy with a warranty and a test report, and confirm the EOL position of the exact model.

Need help deciding which pre-owned model fits your network? Contact our engineers or message us directly on WhatsApp — we answer technical questions for free.