QFX10002-36Q-CHAS-E vs QFX5100-48S-AFO: Which Juniper Switch Reigns Supreme?

May 20 , 2025 24

1. Product Overview

QFX10002-36Q-CHAS-E

• Ports: 36x 40G QSFP+ (scalable to 144x 10G via breakout cables)

• Switching Capacity: 7.68 Tbps

• Forwarding Rate: 23.04 Mpps

• ASIC: Trio 48T Next-Gen Forwarding Engine

• Key Features:

• Native VXLAN/EVPN support

• Built-in IPsec offloading

• Advanced telemetry (telemetry streaming, YANG models)

• Best For: Hyperscale DC cores, multi-tenant environments, 400G future-proofing

QFX5100-48S-AFO

• Ports: 48x 25G SFP28 + 6x 100G QSFP28 (breakout to 4x25G/10G)

• Switching Capacity: 2.88 Tbps

• Forwarding Rate: 960 Mpps

• ASIC: Trio 24T

• Key Features:

• Inline analytics with AppFormix integration

• AI-driven traffic optimization

• Compact 1U form factor

• Best For: Campus/edge networks, SDN deployments, cost-sensitive mid-scale projects

2. Performance Showdown

3. Feature Breakdown

4. Design & Aesthetics

• QFX10002-36Q-CHAS-E:

• 13RU rack-mount chassis with redundant power buses

• Front-to-back airflow for hot aisle containment

• LED indicators for port status and system health

• QFX5100-48S-AFO:

• 1U fixed configuration with compact dimensions

• Fanless option available for silent operation

• Space-saving design for edge deployments

5. User Experience

• QFX10002-36Q-CHAS-E:

• Steep learning curve for Junos CLI but unmatched customization

• Ideal for engineers with advanced networking expertise

• QFX5100-48S-AFO:

• Intuitive GUI via Juniper vManage

• Streamlined workflows for rapid deployment

6. Pricing

• QFX10002-36Q-CHAS-E:

• List price: ~$25,000–$35,000 (configuration-dependent)

• Justified for mission-critical DC environments

• QFX5100-48S-AFO:

• List price: ~$8,000–$12,000

• Cost-effective for mid-market adoption

7. Use Cases

• QFX10002-36Q-CHAS-E:

• Hyper-scale DC core/aggregation layer

• 400G backbone for financial trading platforms

• QFX5100-48S-AFO:

• Campus core/edge with Wi-Fi 6 integration

• Branch office consolidation with SD-WAN

8. Compatibility Matrix

9. Final Verdict

• Choose QFX10002-36Q-CHAS-E If:
  You need a future-proof DC fabric with 400G scalability and uncompromised performance.

• Choose QFX5100-48S-AFO If:
  You seek a balance of speed, simplicity, and cost-effectiveness for campus/edge deployments.

Google-Proof Angle: While both switches leverage Juniper’s robust Junos OS, the QFX10002-36Q-CHAS-E’s modular architecture positions it as a 5-year investment for DC modernization, whereas the QFX5100-48S-AFO’s AI-driven analytics make it a strong contender for IoT-heavy environments.