QFX5100-24Q-3AFO vs. QFX5110-48S-AFI2: How to Choose the Right Enterprise Switch?

May 15 , 2025 34

1. Product Positioning & Design Differences

• QFX5100-24Q-3AFO

• Target Use: Designed for small-to-midsize data center cores or campus network backbones, focusing on high-density 40G/100G interconnections.

• Port Configuration: 24x 40G QSFP+ ports (breakout to 4x10G), 3 redundant power supply slots, fanless design.

• Physical Design: 1U rack-mountable chassis, dark gray metal housing, front-facing dense port layout for space-constrained deployments.

• Compatibility: Supports Junos OS 15.1X53, compatible with QFX5100 series stacking modules.

• QFX5110-48S-AFI2

• Target Use: Optimized for cloud providers and large-scale edge computing, emphasizing 25G/100G hybrid access.

• Port Configuration: 48x 25G SFP28 ports + 6x 100G QSFP28 uplinks, auto-negotiates 1G/10G/25G speeds.

• Physical Design: 2U height, modular airflow design, segregated port zones (data vs. uplink) for cable management.

• Compatibility: Requires Junos OS 18.4R1+, supports full hardware-accelerated EVPN-VXLAN.

2. Performance & Technical Specifications

3. Features & User Experience

• QFX5100-24Q-3AFO

• Key Features: MLAG, static LAG, basic QoS policies—ideal for traditional three-tier architectures.

• Management: CLI-based primary control; web interface limited to basic status monitoring.

• Scalability: Supports stacking via QSFP+ ports (max 4 units), lacks built-in automation tools.

• QFX5110-48S-AFI2

• Hardware-level telemetry (million-packet-per-second analytics).

• Zero Touch Provisioning (ZTP) for automated deployment.

• Microburst suppression algorithms (95% packet loss reduction).

• Advanced Features:

• Management: Integrates with Junos Apstra for intent-based networking; RESTful API/Ansible support.

• Scalability: EVPN multihoming gateways, seamless SRX firewall policy integration.

4. Scenario-Based Recommendations

• Choose QFX5100-24Q-3AFO When:

• Requirements: 10G/40G hybrid networks, budget constraints, legacy device compatibility.

• Example Use Case: OT network backbone in manufacturing plants for stable PLC data transmission.

• Cost: ~$3,500-$4,500 (used market); new units phased out.

• Choose QFX5110-48S-AFI2 When:

• Requirements: 25G server access + 100G spine-leaf architecture, future-proof scalability (3-5 years).

• Example Use Case: Video rendering clusters requiring 25G low-latency 8K RAW data transfers.

• Cost: ~$18,000-$22,000 (new), includes 5-year OEM warranty.

5. Critical Decision Factors

1. Protocol Support: QFX5110 supports Segment Routing MPLS; QFX5100 limited to traditional MPLS.

2. Power Flexibility: QFX5110 offers optional POE++ modules (90W per port); QFX5100 lacks POE.

3. Fault Recovery: QFX5110 enables hitless upgrades (zero service interruption); QFX5100 requires manual failover.

Final Verdict: For AI training, 4K live streaming, or high-bandwidth microburst scenarios, the QFX5110-48S-AFI2’s 25G/100G hybrid ports and dynamic buffering outperform. The QFX5100-24Q-3AFO suits budget-driven upgrades prioritizing reliability over cutting-edge specs. Pro Tip: Validate existing traffic patterns—if microbursts exceed 15%, QFX5110’s smart buffer is non-negotiable.