Arista Introduces New Universal Leaf Network Platform

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Arista Networks announced the Arista 7280R Series, a new fixed switching and routing platform for next generation data centers. Complementing the recent 7500R Universal Spine platform, the 7280R Series Universal Leaf combines dynamic and deep buffering, Internet scale route tables, and open, programmable Arista EOS (Extensible Operating System) in a compact form factor. This approach challenges traditional network designs like fiber channel storage area networks (SAN), legacy routers or analog audio-video infrastructure by reducing operational costs through a single platform capable of a broad set of leaf networking use-cases, especially IP storage, routing and digital media.

"With the growing requirements of delivering content we needed a predictable performance, compact and scalable platform that is able to evolve more quickly to these changing needs. Arista's 7280R platform provides significant port density, combined with a robust and programmable EOS software stack, for better control of our content delivery infrastructure," said Peter Carlston, Product Owner Network and Storage, Spotify.

Powerful Multifunctional and Compact Platform
The 7280R Series expands upon the broadly deployed Arista 7280SE Series and delivers a dense 10/25/40/50/100GbE solution in compact 1RU and 2RU form-factors. The 7280R Series consistently offers the same single EOS image, providing operational savings through reduced complexity and certification timelines. Arista's CloudVision provides expanded support of orchestration and automation across these diverse leaf use-cases.

Universal Leaf for IP Storage Networking
The Universal Leaf networking platforms align closely with Arista's storage partner ecosystem, including EMC, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, NetApp SolidFire, Nutanix and Pure Storage.

Universal Leaf Supports FlexRoute for Core/WAN Routing
Enabled with Arista's FlexRoute technology, the 7280R is able to reduce the solution cost from traditional router platforms for IP Peering and Data Center Interconnect (DCI) networking solutions. Furthermore, Arista CloudVision has been expanded to support Cloud ZTP (Zero Touch Provisioning) for automated provisioning of routing deployments.

Universal Leaf for Media & Content Transformation
The 7280R Universal Leaf ushers in Arista's Media and Entertainment initiative, which includes key partnerships such as Aperi Corporation, Imagine Communications, LAWO and Nevion, as well as participation in industry standard organizations including the AIMS Alliance, Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE), AVNU Alliance and Video Service Forum (VSF).

The 7280R series is the ideal platform for digital Ethernet-based audio and video networks in handling diverse workloads, workflows and work streams. With its deep buffer architecture, the 7280R is well-suited for both streaming content and with virtually zero packet loss for file-based workloads, such as ingest, Visual Effects (VFX), rendering, editing, transcoding and finishing. In addition to supporting robust standards-based features for broadcast use-cases, including IEEE 1588 PTP modes of operation (the SMPTE 2022-6 standard), the 7280R includes 25/50/100GbE for bandwidth-intensive, high definition, 4K uncompressed video.

Arista Networks Inc.