Installing a 75Tbps Switch at #YoloColo - Arista 7508N Install

Why It Matters

By moving to a 75 Tbps core, Yolo Colo can sustain higher client bandwidth demands and remain competitive in the boutique colocation market, while the project highlights the operational challenges of scaling high‑performance networking.

Key Takeaways

• Upgraded core switch from Arista 7308 (40 Gbps) to 7508N (100 Gbps).
• New 7508N provides up to 75 Tbps throughput across 288 ports.
• Installation required extensive labeling, two‑person lift, and careful rack mounting.
• Firmware incompatibility with 1/10 Gb management blade required downgrade.
• Upgrade boosts Yolo Colo’s internal bandwidth, supporting 3 Gbps internet pipe.

Summary

Craft Computing documented the replacement of Yolo Colo’s core networking gear, swapping the aging Arista 7308 chassis for a brand‑new Arista 7508N 100‑Gbps distribution switch.

The 7308 offered 40 Gbps back‑plane and roughly 272 logical interfaces, while the 7508N delivers 64 native 100 Gbps ports (expandable to 288) and a theoretical 75 Tbps throughput. The upgrade required moving 46 fiber pairs, labeling each for redundancy, and handling a chassis that weighs over 400 lb loaded, demanding a server lift and two‑person effort. Power consumption rose from ~1.8 kW to ~2.2 kW for the chassis, with full‑capacity draw approaching 11 kW.

During bring‑up the team hit a firmware snag: the newest 431 firmware dropped support for the 1/10 Gb management blade, forcing a rollback to an older version. After the downgrade, all 100 Gbps line cards lit up and the network returned online without further incident. As Yakto noted, “documentation is absolutely critical” when re‑cabling 46 redundant fiber runs.

The upgrade positions Yolo Colo to handle growing internal traffic and client workloads, especially as its external 3 Gbps internet link approaches saturation. With 100 Gbps per‑port capacity, the facility can support higher‑density services, future‑proofing its colocation offering and reducing latency for customers.

Original Description

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75 Terrabit Per Second.... that's how fast an Arista 7508N can sling packets around. That's 9.3 TB/s. Today, I'm working through my terminal case of bandwidth envy and helping Ychto install one seriously impressive piece of equipment in his humble homelab.

No beer in this one, but I did have a wonderful Deschutes Fresh Haze and a Teriyaki Burger for lunch. Would recommend.

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