NVIDIA Spectrum SN2201

NVIDIA Spectrum SN2201

Intelligent, Scalable 1GbE/100GbE Networking

The NVIDIA Spectrum SN2201 switch is part of the advanced SN2000 series, the second generation of high-performance, open networking switches engineered specifically for modern data center architectures.

With 48 RJ45 1GbE ports and 4 QSFP28 100GbE uplinks, the SN2201 is the perfect solution for out-of-band (OOB) management, top-of-rack (ToR) switching, and high-density aggregation, offering unmatched versatility, performance, and reliability.

Whether you’re building a hyperscale cloud infrastructure, deploying software-defined networks, or managing hybrid enterprise environments, the SN2201 provides the robust features and intelligent telemetry you need to meet today’s networking demands and tomorrow’s innovations.

Key Highlights

• Port Configuration: 48 × 1GbE RJ45 host ports + 4 × 100GbE QSFP28 uplinks
• Network Interface: RJ45 and QSFP28
• Data Rates Supported: 1GbE and 100GbE
• Operating Systems: Cumulus Linux and ONIE
• Advanced Telemetry: ASIC-level visibility with shared buffer for intelligent data traffic management
• Form Factor: 1U rackmount for space-efficient deployment
• Use Cases: OOB Management, Top-of-Rack switching, leaf node connectivity

Designed for Modern Data Center Needs

• Out-of-Band Management Done Right

The SN2201 is the ideal OOB management switch, giving administrators a dedicated control path to access and manage infrastructure even when in-band networks are down or under heavy load. With 48 dedicated 1GbE RJ45 ports, it ensures seamless connectivity to servers, storage, and appliances across your data center fabric.

• Efficient Top-of-Rack Aggregation

With high-density 1GbE host ports and 4 non-blocking 100GbE uplinks, the SN2201 is also a powerful Top-of-Rack (ToR) switch. It allows for full rack connectivity, linking a large number of 1GbE-connected servers or nodes to high-speed 100GbE leaf/spine architectures, making it a perfect fit for cloud-scale deployments.

Performance & Architecture

High Throughput and Scalability

Despite its compact 1U form factor, the SN2201 delivers enterprise-grade performance. It supports non-blocking switching and line-rate throughput, eliminating network bottlenecks and allowing data to flow smoothly between devices even under peak load.

 Shared Buffer with ASIC-Level Telemetry

The 16MB fully shared packet buffer is intelligently managed, ensuring balanced traffic control even during congestion. Coupled with real-time ASIC telemetry, the SN2201 provides granular insight into network behavior, helping administrators proactively detect and resolve performance issues.

Seamless Integration

Thanks to the RJ45 host port design, SN2201 enables easy adoption of existing Cat5e/Cat6 cabling, reducing infrastructure upgrade costs. The uplink QSFP28 ports offer scalable, high-speed connectivity up to 100GbE, future-proofing your investment for evolving workloads.

Software Freedom & Open Networking

The SN2201 embraces the open networking model, giving customers full control over the operating system and network functionality. It ships with support for ONIE (Open Network Install Environment) and is compatible with Cumulus Linux, allowing customization and automation at scale.

With this flexibility, enterprises and cloud providers can build truly programmable, SDN-enabled infrastructure that aligns with their evolving DevOps and NetOps strategies.

Ideal Use Cases

• Enterprise Data Centers

Deploy the SN2201 as a dedicated management switch to gain persistent visibility and control over network equipment without impacting production traffic.

• Cloud & Web-Scale IT

Use the SN2201 as a ToR switch in cloud-native architectures. Its combination of 1GbE density and 100GbE uplinks makes it perfect for connecting compute nodes to leaf/spine networks.

• Hyperconverged Infrastructure (HCI)

For hyperconverged environments requiring intelligent, low-latency data transport between storage and compute, the SN2201 provides a cost-effective solution with high port density and smart buffering.

Product Specifications – At a Glance

Feature	Details
Model	NVIDIA Spectrum SN2201
Form Factor	1U Rackmount
Port Configuration	48 × RJ45 1GbE + 4 × QSFP28 100GbE
Network Interface	RJ45 and QSFP28
Data Rates	1GbE for access ports, 100GbE for uplinks
Operating Systems	Cumulus Linux / ONIE
Buffer Size	16MB fully shared
Management Capabilities	ASIC-level telemetry, SDN-friendly
Use Cases	OOB management, ToR, enterprise aggregation
Cooling	Front-to-back airflow support (dependent on model)
Power Supply Options	Redundant, hot-swappable (model-specific)
Technology	Ethernet

Why Choose the SN2201?

• Purpose-Built for Hybrid Workloads: Supports legacy 1GbE environments while connecting to next-gen 100GbE fabrics.
• Open, Flexible OS Options: Cumulus Linux compatibility offers freedom and control.
• Zero Compromise on Telemetry: ASIC-level insights provide operational transparency.
• Compact, Cost-Efficient Design: Reduces rack space and power consumption.
• Enterprise-Grade Reliability: Engineered for high-availability deployment.
• Cloud-Scale Ready: Connects seamlessly to leaf-spine/super-spine networks.
• Perfect for DevOps & SDN: Scriptable, programmable, and automation-ready.

Product Variants

SKU	OPN	Data Rate	Interface	Ports	Technology
920-9N110-00F1-0C0	MSN2201-CB2FC	1GbE / 100GbE	RJ45 + QSFP28	48 × 1GbE + 4 × 100GbE	Ethernet
920-9N110-00R1-0C0	MSN2201-CB2RC	1GbE / 100GbE	RJ45 + QSFP28	48 × 1GbE + 4 × 100GbE	Ethernet

Conclusion

The NVIDIA Spectrum SN2201 brings the best of both worlds: high-density 1GbE access for traditional data center workloads, and 100GbE uplinks for scalable, high-performance fabrics. With unmatched reliability, deep telemetry, and open networking support, it is the go-to choice for modern enterprises looking to optimize, automate, and scale their infrastructure intelligently.

Whether you’re deploying it as an OOB switch, a ToR platform, or part of a larger leaf-spine design, the SN2201 guarantees performance, flexibility, and future-readiness in every packet.