juniper QFX Series QFX5100-24Q
The Juniper QFX5100-24Q is a 1U 40GbE datacenter spine and high-density aggregation switch providing 24 fixed 40GbE QSFP+ ports and two expansion module bays supporting up to 32 total 40GbE ports. Delivering 2.56 Tbps of line-rate throughput with sub-microsecond latency, the switch served as the spine backbone for Virtual Chassis Fabric (VCF) deployments. Secondary market buyers frequently deploy the QFX5100-24Q for compact 40G aggregation and high-density 10G breakout connectivity in budget-conscious datacenters.
Specifications
| Brand | juniper |
|---|---|
| Family | QFX Series |
| Form factor | 1U fixed switch |
| Released | Oct 2013 |
| End of sale | Apr 2020 |
| End of support | Apr 2025 |
| Ports | 24x fixed 40GbE QSFP+ ports with two optional 4x 40GbE expansion modules (up to 32x 40GbE) |
| Switching capacity | 2.56 Tbps / 1.44 Bpps forwarding capacity |
| Latency | Sub-microsecond cut-through latency |
| Breakout density | Up to 96 or 104 10GbE ports via breakout cables |
| Power supplies | Dual hot-swappable redundant AC or DC power modules |
Generations
- Next generation: juniper QFX Series QFX5110-32Q
Works together
How the juniper QFX Series QFX5100-24Q connects to servers, storage and the network: 3 ways, with the parts and products on each path.
iSCSI and NVMe/TCP over Ethernet
Keep the speed the same at all three points: a 25GbE server, a 25GbE switch port and a 25GbE array port. Mixed speeds work but the slowest link sets the pace.
Servers
HPE ProLiant DL120 Gen9 1U rack
HPE ProLiant DL160 Gen9 1U rack
HPE ProLiant DL180 Gen9 2U rack
HPE ProLiant DL360 Gen9 1U rack
HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen9 2U rack
HPE ProLiant DL60 Gen9 1U rack
Adapters for the server
540-BDBX Dell NVIDIA Mellanox ConnectX-6 Dx Dual Port 100GbE QSFP56 PCIe Adapter
540-BDCF Dell Intel E810-CQDA2 Dual Port 100GbE QSFP28 PCIe Gen4 Adapter
540-BDCP Dell Broadcom 57508 Dual Port 100GbE QSFP56 PCIe Gen4 Adapter
540-BDCQ Dell Broadcom 57508 Dual Port 100GbE QSFP56 OCP 3.0 Adapter
Storage
Lenovo ThinkSystem DM7000H 3U rack
File storage (NFS and SMB)
Front-end ports face the clients; back-end ports (on scale-out systems) connect the nodes to each other and need their own switch pair.
Servers
- HPE ProLiant DL120 Gen9 1U rack
- HPE ProLiant DL160 Gen9 1U rack
- HPE ProLiant DL180 Gen9 2U rack
- HPE ProLiant DL360 Gen9 1U rack
- HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen9 2U rack
- HPE ProLiant DL60 Gen9 1U rack
Adapters for the server
- 540-BDBX Dell NVIDIA Mellanox ConnectX-6 Dx Dual Port 100GbE QSFP56 PCIe Adapter
- 540-BDCF Dell Intel E810-CQDA2 Dual Port 100GbE QSFP28 PCIe Gen4 Adapter
- 540-BDCP Dell Broadcom 57508 Dual Port 100GbE QSFP56 PCIe Gen4 Adapter
- 540-BDCQ Dell Broadcom 57508 Dual Port 100GbE QSFP56 OCP 3.0 Adapter
Storage
- Lenovo ThinkSystem DM7000H 3U rack
Dell PowerScale F600 1U rack
Dell PowerScale F900 2U rack
Hyperconverged cluster
Plan at least two 25GbE ports per node to two switches; all-NVMe clusters often move to 100GbE.
HCI nodes
HPE SimpliVity 380 Gen10 2U rack
HPE SimpliVity 380 Gen9 2U rack
HPE SimpliVity 325 Gen10 1U rack
HPE SimpliVity 380 Gen10 G 2U rack
Adapters for the server
Plan and size it
- Draw this setup in the topology planner mrplanb.com
- Add up rack power and space rack-density.com
- iSCSI explained mrplanb.com
- Virtualization storage Ledger: scored storage platforms mrplanb.com
- Network monitoring tools compared mrplanb.com
Check compatibility with Juniper
Before you buy, confirm the exact configuration against the vendor's own lists: firmware levels, operating systems, adapters and optics that Juniper has tested with the juniper QFX Series QFX5100-24Q.
- Compatibility Juniper Hardware Compatibility Tool (optics and modules)
- Specifications Juniper TechLibrary
- Support Juniper Support
Equivalent models from other brands
FAQ
What expansion modules fit in the QFX5100-24Q?
It supports QFX-EM-4Q modules providing four additional 40GbE QSFP+ ports per module bay.
Can the QFX5100-24Q act as a Virtual Chassis Fabric spine?
Yes, it commonly functions as a central spine node in Juniper Virtual Chassis Fabric topologies.
Buying or selling QFX5100-24Q?
New, refurbished or used. Tell us the quantity and condition and we connect you with a vetted reseller in your region, usually within one working day.
Sources
- Juniper QFX5100-24Q Product Overview, checked 2026-10-27
- Juniper QFX5100-24Q Datasheet, checked 2026-10-27