NVIDIA Mellanox SN2201 - 48 x RJ45 1GbE + 4 x QSFP28 100GbE Spectrum Open Ethernet Switch
The NVIDIA Mellanox SN2201...
NVIDIA Mellanox SN2201 – 48 x RJ45 1GbE + 4 x QSFP28 100GbE Spectrum Open Ethernet Switch
The NVIDIA Mellanox SN2201 is a fixed-configuration Open Ethernet switch built on the NVIDIA Spectrum ASIC, providing 48 x RJ45 1GbE + 4 x QSFP28 100GbE in a 1U form factor. It delivers 448 Gbps of switching throughput. This page covers the SN2201 model family; each factory part number has its own product page linked in the variant list below.
Key Specifications
Ports: 48 x RJ45 1GbE + 4 x QSFP28 100GbE
Throughput: 448 Gbps
Packet rate: 667 Mpps
Form factor: 1U, 1.72 x 16.84 x 17 in (43.9 x 428 x 432 mm), short depth, 7.41 kg (16.3 lbs)
Power supplies: 2 hot-swappable AC PSUs (1+1 redundant)
Typical power: 98 W
Airflow options: P2C (rear intake, port-side exhaust) and C2P (port-side intake, rear exhaust) – see the variant list; all FRUs in one chassis must share the same direction
Factory software designations: Cumulus Linux – note: software licensing, subscription and support entitlements are not conveyed with refurbished hardware
SN2201 Part Numbers and Variants
SN2201 systems circulate on the secondary market under Mellanox-format OPNs (MSN…). Variants differ by airflow direction, factory software designation and port speed class. Match airflow to your aisle layout and confirm optics/cables separately.
MSN2201-CB2FC – Cumulus Linux (license not included), P2C (rear intake, port-side exhaust)
MSN2201-CB2RC – Cumulus Linux (license not included), C2P (port-side intake, rear exhaust)
Other factory builds circulate on the secondary market. If you need a specific OPN that is not listed here, request a quote and we will source it.
Port Flexibility and Breakout
QSFP28 uplinks support 100GbE down to 1GbE speeds including breakout modes (50/40/25/10GbE). Actual modes depend on the installed network OS version and transceivers.
Spectrum Architecture
SN2201 systems are built on the NVIDIA Spectrum (Spectrum-1) switching ASIC with a fully shared, monolithic packet buffer – every port can draw on the entire buffer, which absorbs microbursts and many-to-one incast far better than segmented-buffer designs in the same class. The platform supports RoCE (RDMA over Converged Ethernet) for storage and AI east-west traffic, rich telemetry with NVIDIA What Just Happened (WJH) hardware-level visibility, and the Open Ethernet model: the same hardware runs multiple network operating systems, so the fabric is never locked to one vendor stack.
Deployment Scenarios
1GbE campus and office access: 48 x RJ45 ports with high-bandwidth 100GbE uplinks
Out-of-band management networks: dense 1GbE copper for data center OOB with modern uplink speeds
PoE-free industrial/branch access: enterprise-class Spectrum forwarding at the 1GbE edge
SN2201 Price and Availability
Refurbished SN2201 systems are typically quoted per project: airflow variant, software designation, optics and quantity all move the number. Refurbished units price well below new list. For current SN2201 pricing, request a quote – a BrightStar specialist will respond with availability, condition and warranty terms.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a used NVIDIA Mellanox SN2201 cost?
Pricing depends on the exact OPN, airflow variant, condition and quantity, and secondary-market supply moves week to week. Request a quote for current refurbished pricing – it is typically well below new list for equivalent hardware.
What software does the SN2201 run?
Factory builds of the SN2201 carry the following designations: Cumulus Linux. As with all refurbished hardware, software licensing, subscription and support entitlements are not conveyed with refurbished hardware – units are tested on original-spec firmware, factory reset, and configuration wiped. Confirm any OS licensing or support requirements with NVIDIA for your production environment.
What airflow directions are available for the SN2201?
The SN2201 is available as C2P (connector-to-power): air intake at the connector (port) side, exhaust at the power/fan (rear) side – red FRU handles or dots; and as P2C (power-to-connector): air intake at the power/fan (rear) side, exhaust at the connector (port) side – blue FRU handles or dots. All FRUs in one chassis must share the same airflow direction. Note that NVIDIA’s F/R lettering does not map to other vendors’ conventions – always confirm with the intake/exhaust wording on the variant page.
Is a refurbished SN2201 tested before shipping?
Yes. BrightStar Systems inspects and tests every unit on original-spec firmware, performs a factory reset and configuration wipe, and backs it with warranty (1 year end-user / 90 days reseller).
Related NVIDIA SN2000 Series Products
Browse all SN2201 variants and the rest of the lineup on the SN2000 Series page or the NVIDIA Switches category page.
Refurbished by BrightStar Systems
BrightStar Systems supplies professionally tested refurbished NVIDIA and Mellanox networking hardware. Every unit is inspected, tested on original-spec firmware, factory reset, and configuration wiped before shipment, and backed by our standard warranty. Data center switching of this class is typically project-priced – request a quote for current availability and pricing.
