NVIDIA SN4600 - 64 x QSFP56 200GbE Spectrum-3 Open Ethernet Switch
The NVIDIA SN4600 is a fixed-configuration Open E...
NVIDIA SN4600 – 64 x QSFP56 200GbE Spectrum-3 Open Ethernet Switch
The NVIDIA SN4600 is a fixed-configuration Open Ethernet switch built on the NVIDIA Spectrum-3 ASIC, providing 64 x QSFP56 200GbE in a 2U form factor. It delivers 25.6 Tbps of switching throughput and processes up to 8.4 Bpps, backed by a 64 MB fully shared packet buffer. This page covers the SN4600 model family; each factory part number has its own product page linked in the variant list below.
Key Specifications
Ports: 64 x QSFP56 200GbE
Throughput: 25.6 Tbps
Packet rate: 8.4 Bpps
Packet buffer: 64 MB, fully shared across all ports
Form factor: 2U, 3.46 x 16.85 x 22.3 in (88 x 428 x 566.4 mm), 14.64 kg (32.3 lbs)
Power supplies: 2 hot-swappable AC PSUs (1+1 redundant)
Typical power: 600 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, ONIE – note: software licensing, subscription and support entitlements are not conveyed with refurbished hardware
SN4600 Part Numbers and Variants
SN4600 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.
MSN4600-VS2FC – Cumulus Linux (license not included), P2C (rear intake, port-side exhaust)
MSN4600-VS2RC – Cumulus Linux (license not included), C2P (port-side intake, rear exhaust)
MSN4600-VS2FO – ONIE (license not included), P2C (rear intake, port-side exhaust)
MSN4600-VS2RO – ONIE (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
Each QSFP56 port splits to 2 x 100GbE or 4 x 50GbE for dense aggregation fan-out. Actual modes depend on the installed network OS version and transceivers.
Spectrum-3 Architecture
SN4600 systems are built on the NVIDIA Spectrum-3 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
Super-spine and aggregation layers: 64 high-speed ports in 2U concentrate an entire pod
Storage backends: RoCE-optimized forwarding for NVMe-oF and distributed storage east-west traffic
High-radix leaf-spine designs: breakout support drives very high 25/50/100GbE port counts from one box
SN4600 Price and Availability
Refurbished SN4600 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 SN4600 pricing, request a quote – a BrightStar specialist will respond with availability, condition and warranty terms.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a used NVIDIA SN4600 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 SN4600 run?
Factory builds of the SN4600 carry the following designations: Cumulus Linux, ONIE. 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 SN4600?
The SN4600 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 SN4600 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 SN4000 Series Products
Browse all SN4600 variants and the rest of the lineup on the SN4000 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.
