NVIDIA Mellanox® MSN2700-CB2FC — Spectrum™-1 100GbE 32-Port Managed Switch (Cumulus Linux)
Technical Identity
The NVIDIA Mellanox® MSN2700-CB2FC is a 1U managed Ethernet switch built on the Spectrum™-1 ASIC, with 32 × QSFP28 ports at 100 GbE per port (6.4 Tb/s aggregate, ~300 ns cut-through latency). It ships from the factory with Cumulus Linux pre-installed and is configured for P2C (“Forward”) airflow with dual hot-swap AC power supplies. The unit is a non-blocking leaf / spine switch designed for Ethernet data-center fabrics — it is not an InfiniBand switch and does not ship with NVIDIA Onyx / MLNX-OS in this SKU.
Specifications
- OEM: NVIDIA Mellanox
- Part Number (MPN): MSN2700-CB2FC
- Product family: Spectrum™-1 (SN2700)
- ASIC: Mellanox Spectrum™-1
- Ports: 32 × QSFP28
- Port speed: 100 GbE (also 50 / 40 / 25 / 10 GbE; QSFP28 supports 1→4 breakout to 4 × 25 GbE or 4 × 10 GbE with the correct splitter cable)
- Switching capacity: 6.4 Tb/s
- Forwarding rate: 4.76 Bpps
- Latency: ~300 ns port-to-port (cut-through)
- Form factor: 1U, 19" rack-mount
- Airflow: P2C / Forward (port-side intake → power-side exhaust)
- Power supplies: 2 × hot-swap AC (1+1 redundant)
- Fans: hot-swap, redundant
- Operating system: Cumulus Linux (pre-installed)
- Management: 1 × out-of-band 1 GbE RJ45, RJ45 console, USB Type-A
- Condition: Refurbished Grade A — bench-tested by T.E.S IT-SOLUTIONS
What This Is NOT
- NOT an InfiniBand switch. Spectrum-1 is an Ethernet-only ASIC; for InfiniBand fabrics, use the Quantum / Quantum-2 (MQM-series) family instead.
- NOT a NIC or adapter card. This is a 1U rack-mount switch — it occupies rack space and requires its own AC feeds.
- NOT shipped with Onyx / MLNX-OS. This SKU is the Cumulus Linux bundle; do not assume MLNX-OS CLI, REST API, or Onyx-specific features apply.
- NOT bundled with QSFP28 transceivers, DAC / AOC cables, or rail kit unless explicitly stated on the line item.
- NOT a 400 GbE or 200 GbE switch. Maximum per-port speed is 100 GbE; for 400 GbE move to Spectrum-3 (SN4000-series) or Spectrum-4.
Compatibility
- Host adapters: ConnectX-4, ConnectX-5, ConnectX-6, ConnectX-7 in Ethernet mode at 100 / 50 / 40 / 25 / 10 GbE.
- DPUs: BlueField-2 and BlueField-3 in Ethernet mode.
- Cabling (100 GbE): NVIDIA / Mellanox QSFP28 DAC (MCP1600-series), AOC (MFA1A00-series), and SR4 / LR4 / FR4 transceivers (MMA1B00, MMS1V70).
- Breakout (1→4): QSFP28 → 4 × SFP28 splitter cables for 25 GbE leaf access, or 4 × SFP+ for 10 GbE.
- Software: Cumulus Linux 4.x / 5.x; SONiC builds for Spectrum-1; ONIE-loadable if you do not need the bundled Cumulus license.
- Power: 100–240 V AC, IEC C13 inlets; verify PDU phase distribution for redundant 1+1 feeds.
- Airflow: P2C (Forward) — match your hot-aisle / cold-aisle orientation; for reverse airflow source the C2P variant instead.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. What is the NVIDIA Mellanox MSN2700-CB2FC?
A 1U managed Ethernet switch with 32 × QSFP28 ports at 100 GbE, built on the Spectrum-1 ASIC and pre-installed with Cumulus Linux, P2C airflow, dual hot-swap PSU.
Q. Is the MSN2700-CB2FC an InfiniBand switch?
No. Spectrum-1 is Ethernet only. For InfiniBand HDR / NDR fabrics, use the Quantum (MQM-series) family.
Q. Can I run NVIDIA Onyx / MLNX-OS on this unit?
This SKU ships with Cumulus Linux pre-installed. Onyx / MLNX-OS is delivered on the Standalone (MSN2700-CS2F-style) bundle; converting between bundles requires the correct license — confirm with T.E.S IT-SOLUTIONS before purchase if you need Onyx.
Q. What port speeds does each QSFP28 port support?
Native 100 GbE; auto-negotiable to 50 / 40 / 25 / 10 GbE; 1→4 breakout to 4 × 25 GbE or 4 × 10 GbE with the correct splitter cable.
Q. What is the airflow direction?
P2C (“Forward”) — air enters at the port (front) side and exhausts at the power (rear) side. Match your cabinet's cold-aisle / hot-aisle orientation.
Q. What condition is supplied by T.E.S IT-SOLUTIONS?
Refurbished Grade A — bench-tested at T.E.S IT-SOLUTIONS for link establishment on every port, PSU and fan verification, firmware identification, and full cosmetic inspection. Ships from EU stock with anti-static packaging, global B2B shipping, and free pre-sale compatibility consultation.
Why buy from T.E.S IT-SOLUTIONS
T.E.S IT-SOLUTIONS is a Europe-based NVIDIA Mellanox specialist serving HPC, AI, and enterprise data-center procurement teams since 2007. Every switch is identified by MPN, NVIDIA P/N, ASIC generation, airflow direction, and shipped OS bundle before it leaves the bench, and every customer gets free pre-sale advice for switch-adapter-cable pairing. Multi-currency B2B invoicing, EU stock with worldwide express options, and direct technical contact with our engineering team — not a call-center.

