Ruijie RG-CS86-20XS4VS2QXS-D 1U L3 Core/Aggregation Switch, 20xSFP+ 4xSFP28 2xQSFP+

Introduction to the Ruijie RG-CS86-20XS4VS2QXS-D and its key features

The Ruijie RG-CS86-20XS4VS2QXS-D is a compact 1U Layer‑3 core/aggregation switch designed for small and medium enterprises, campus aggregation layers and dense 10Gb access deployments. With 20 multi‑rate SFP+ ports, 4 SFP28 ports and 2 QSFP+ uplinks in a single‑rack unit chassis, it targets environments that need high port density, flexible uplink choices and modern management options such as cloud provisioning.

Key features at a glance

• High port density: 20 × SFP+ (1G / 2.5G / 10G), 4 × SFP28 (10G / 25G) and 2 × QSFP+ (40G or 4×10G)
• Redundancy and availability: hot‑swappable modular power slots (two slots supported) and modular fan bays with front‑to‑rear airflow options
• Layer‑2 and Layer‑3 routing: OSPF, BGP, VRF, ECMP and IPv6 support
• Security and access control: ACLs, 802.1x, IP/MAC binding, CPP/NFPP and other protection mechanisms
• Modern management: Ruijie Cloud with zero‑touch provisioning (ZTP), SNMP, NETCONF and CLI access for onsite management
• Compact 1U form factor suitable for wiring closets, aggregation racks or edge cores

Detailed specifications and benefits

The RG‑CS86 family is designed to balance port density, flexibility and the credentials expected of an aggregation/core box in SME and campus networks. Below is a breakdown of the most important specifications and the practical benefits they deliver.

• SFP+ ports:20 × 1G / 2.5G / 10G SFP+ — multi‑rate capability lets you support a mix of legacy 1G devices, emerging 2.5G edge switches and full 10G servers or uplinks without changing hardware.
• SFP28 ports:4 × 10G / 25G SFP28 — useful for higher‑bandwidth uplinks to servers or newer 25G aggregation fabrics while remaining backwards compatible with 10G optics.
• QSFP+ uplinks:2 × 40G QSFP+ (each can operate as 4×10G) — provides high‑capacity links to data centre spine switches or redundant campus cores.
• Management:dedicated RJ45 MGMT, console port and USB port for local maintenance and software upgrades.

• Switching capacity:Typical rated 760 Gbps (vendor literature references higher modes up to 2.56 Tbps depending on configuration) — ample for dense 10G access stacks feeding a few 25G/40G uplinks.
• Forwarding rate:Around 570 Mpps typical (dependent on configuration and features enabled).
• Tables & scale:MAC table ~32,768 entries, ARP ~16,000, IPv4 routes ~16,000 and multicast routes ~4,000 — sufficient for most SME and campus aggregation deployments.

• CPU & memory:Dual‑core 1.25 GHz CPU with 1 GB flash and 1 GB SDRAM (some listings show 1–2 GB variants) — appropriate for control plane tasks and cloud‑managed operation.
• Power:Two modular power module slots (RG‑PA150I‑F supported). Note: confirm whether a power module is included in your SKU — at least one module is required for operation.
• Physical:1U chassis (approx. 440 × 330 × 43.6 mm) and ~4.6 kg weight, front‑to‑rear airflow typical for rack installations.
• Reliability:MTBF around 200,000 hours and operating temperature 0°C to 50°C.

• Routing & L3:Static routes, RIP, OSPF, BGP, VRF and ECMP for flexible topologies and traffic engineering.
• Multicast & QoS:IGMP/PIM multicast support and flexible QoS with classification planes and schedulers suitable for converged voice, video and data.
• Security:Layered protections including ACLs, 802.1x, RADIUS/TACACS+, IP‑MAC binding, CPP and NFPP to limit attacks, ARP spoofing and unauthorized access.
• Management:Ruijie Cloud with zero‑touch provisioning simplifies rollout; SNMP, NETCONF and CLI are available for traditional NMS integrations.

Use cases and scenarios where the product excels

This switch is purpose‑built for environments that need a compact, high‑density aggregation device with modern uplink options and cloud management. Typical use cases include:

• SME core switch:For small to medium businesses that require a Layer‑3 aggregation point to terminate multiple access switches and provide routed uplinks to firewalls and data centre fabrics.
• Campus aggregation:The combination of many 10G SFP+ ports and several 25G/40G uplinks makes the RG‑CS86 ideal for aggregating distribution switches in schools, corporate campuses or hospitals.
• Dense 10G access:Environments migrating end‑user or server access to 10G (or 2.5G transitional speeds) will appreciate the multi‑rate SFP+ ports to support mixed hardware generations.
• Edge data centre uplinks:Small data centre pods or co‑location racks can use the QSFP+ ports for 40G uplinks while keeping many 10G/25G ports for top‑of‑rack or server connectivity.
• Cloud‑managed deployments:Organisations seeking simplified provisioning and centralised visibility can leverage Ruijie Cloud and ZTP to reduce onsite configuration effort.

Comparisons with similar products in the market

When evaluating the RG‑CS86, administrators will naturally compare it to offerings from larger vendors such as Cisco, Arista, and HPE/Aruba. A few practical points to consider when comparing:

• Port mix and density:The RG‑CS86’s 20×SFP+ plus 4×SFP28 and 2×QSFP+ in 1U is a strong density profile for 10G‑centred aggregation. Competing models may offer similar density but tradeoffs include fixed vs modular uplink slots and the number of 25G ports.
• Multi‑rate support:Multi‑rate SFP+ (1/2.5/10G) gives the RG‑CS86 flexibility for transitional networks — not all competitors provide 2.5G compatibility on all SFP+ ports.
• Management approach:Ruijie Cloud with ZTP appeals to organisations favouring cloud native provisioning. Enterprises heavily invested in Cisco DNA Center, Arista CloudVision or HPE Aruba Central may prefer matching vendor ecosystems for feature parity and broader support.
• Redundancy:The modular power slot design is beneficial for high‑availability use; some lower‑cost alternatives may have fixed internal PSUs or single PSU options.
• Price‑to‑feature:The RG‑CS86 is competitive for customers seeking dense 10G aggregation without paying a premium for top‑tier vendor branding. Suggested price around $3,295 (check local reseller pricing and SKU contents) positions it attractively versus comparable 1U aggregation switches from large vendors.

Customer testimonials and feedback

At the time of writing there are limited widely published end‑user reviews specific to this exact model. That said, reseller listings and field deployments of Ruijie aggregation switches commonly highlight the following themes:

• Pros most often cited:excellent port density for the price, flexible multi‑rate SFP+ ports, good value cloud management with ZTP for simplified rollouts, and modular power options for redundancy.
• Considerations:check the SKU to confirm whether power modules are included, verify memory/flash variants for larger feature sets, and evaluate whether Ruijie Cloud fits your operational model versus an on‑premises NMS.
• Vendor support:organisations upgrading from entry network gear to a more managed aggregation layer have reported that Ruijie’s documentation and cloud onboarding reduce initial configuration time, though local reseller support quality can vary regionally.

If you need verified user testimonials, ask your reseller for references or field case studies in your industry to see real deployment experiences and operational metrics.

Conclusion: why the RG-CS86-20XS4VS2QXS-D is a strong choice

The Ruijie RG‑CS86‑20XS4VS2QXS‑D is a thoughtfully packaged 1U Layer‑3 aggregation switch that addresses a common gap for organisations moving to denser 10G/25G fabrics without wanting a large, expensive chassis. Its combination of 20 multi‑rate SFP+ ports, 4 SFP28 ports and 2 QSFP+ uplinks provides flexibility for mixed generations of access and uplink hardware. Add to that modular power options for availability and cloud‑based zero‑touch provisioning, and you have a device that can accelerate deployments while keeping operational complexity manageable.

Whether you are an SME upgrading to a modern access layer, a campus seeking compact aggregation, or a small data centre looking for cost‑effective uplinks, the RG‑CS86 is a practical, cost‑effective option. Before purchasing, verify the exact SKU contents (especially the power modules), confirm firmware and memory variants for any advanced features you require, and evaluate cloud‑management integration with your existing tooling.

Suggested price (MSRP) around $3,295.00 (verify with your reseller). For organisations that prioritise dense 10G connectivity, flexible uplinks and cloud provisioning in a 1U package, the RG‑CS86‑20XS4VS2QXS‑D deserves strong consideration.