NVIDIA Mellanox MSN2100-BB2FO 1U Half-Width Open Ethernet Switch: This is a 1U half-width Spectrum-based Ethernet switch with 16 × QSFP28 ports configured for 40GbE per the BB2FO SKU. The chassis is half-width to allow side-by-side mounting of two units in a single 1U rack space. The BB2FO suffix denotes the dual AC PSU configuration with P2C (Power-to-Connector, forward) airflow. This is a refurbished unit.
Engineering Context
The MSN2100-BB2FO uses the Mellanox Spectrum ASIC. The 16 × QSFP28 cages provide non-blocking forwarding at the SKU-configured 40GbE line rate. The half-width 1U form factor is designed for high-density edge, micro-DC, and telco deployments where rack space is at a premium — two MSN2100 units fit into a single 1U slot. The switch is ONIE-bootable for Mellanox Onyx, Cumulus Linux, or SONiC. P2C airflow draws cool air from the PSU side and exhausts toward the port side.
Deployment & Use Cases
Edge and micro-data center deployments where two switches share one rack unit. Telco cabinets and remote sites with limited rack inventory. Small-cluster HPC and storage backbones requiring 40GbE. Top-of-Rack switching for legacy 40GbE-attached servers and storage. Lab and development environments needing managed open-networking switches in compact form.
Technical Specifications
OEM: NVIDIA Mellanox
Part Number: MSN2100-BB2FO
ASIC: Mellanox Spectrum
Port Configuration: 16 × QSFP28
Port Speed: 40GbE per the BB2FO SKU
Form Factor: 1U half-width rackmount
CPU: x86 dual-core control processor
Power Supplies: Dual AC, hot-swappable
Airflow: P2C (Power-to-Connector, forward)
OS Support: Mellanox Onyx, Cumulus Linux, SONiC (ONIE-bootable)
Rail Kit: Not included — sold separately
Condition: Refurbished — Tested by T.E.S IT-SOLUTIONS
Compatibility & Constraints
QSFP28 ports accept QSFP+ DACs, AOCs, and 40GbE SR4/LR4 transceivers compatible with the Spectrum ASIC. Pairs with ConnectX-3 Pro, ConnectX-4, and ConnectX-5 Ethernet adapters at 40GbE. Ethernet-only — does not run InfiniBand. The BB2FO SKU is configured for 40GbE; other MSN2100 SKUs (e.g., CB2F) are factory-configured for 100GbE — verify expected line rate against your fabric design. P2C airflow only. Half-width chassis requires the matching 1U half-width rail kit.
Why TES
T.E.S IT-SOLUTIONS validates all 16 ports under traffic, confirms dual PSU redundancy, and runs fan and thermal checks before shipment. T.E.S IT-SOLUTIONS ships globally with 1–3 day handling and provides deployment guidance for compact half-width 40GbE installations.