Introduction: Ruijie RG-CS85-48SFP4XS-D at a glance
The Ruijie RG-CS85-48SFP4XS-D is an enterprise-class Layer‑3 core and aggregation switch designed for campus networks, data centre edge deployments and large branch offices. With 48 all‑optical 1Gb SFP service ports and four 1G/10G SFP+ uplinks, the CS85 delivers high port density for fibre‑first architectures while providing the routing, resilience and manageability required in mission‑critical environments. Key design points include modular redundancy (hot‑swappable power modules and fans), advanced L2/L3 protocol support, device virtualisation (VSU) and a management stack suitable for modern automated networks.
Key features — what makes the CS85 stand out
- High optical port density:48 × 1Gb SFP service ports for all‑fiber connectivity to access switches, servers or uplinks.
- Flexible uplinks:4 × 1G/10G SFP+ ports that accept both 1G SFPs and 10G SFP+ modules for scalable aggregation.
- Layer‑3 capabilities:Full routing support including static routes, RIP, OSPFv2/v3 and BGP4/BGP4+, IPv4/IPv6, VRF and policy based routing.
- Enterprise L2 features:4K VLANs, QinQ, STP/RSTP/MSTP, ERPS (G.8032) and LACP for robust link aggregation.
- Resilience and modularity:Hot‑swappable power modules (2 slots), modular fans and an expansion slot for CM85 modules to add SFP+/QSFP ports.
- Management and telemetry:CLI, web GUI (Eweb), SNMP v1/2/3, Netconf, gRPC, sFlow, syslog and USB backup for configuration portability.
Detailed specifications and benefits
The CS85 balances raw switching capacity with enterprise routing features. At its core, this model provides a switching capacity of 656 Gbps and a forwarding rate of approximately 488 Mpps, supported by a dual‑core 1.2 GHz CPU, around 1 GB of SDRAM and ~4 GB of flash. The MAC table supports roughly 64,000 entries, allowing the switch to handle large numbers of endpoint devices and MAC churn typical in busy campus networks.
Hardware details:
- Model:RG‑CS85‑48SFP4XS‑D
- Service ports:48 × 1 Gb SFP (optical)
- Uplink ports:4 × 1G/10G SFP+
- Expansion slot:1 × expansion slot (supports CM85 modules such as CM85‑4XS2CQ)
- Management ports:1 × RJ45 console, 1 × RJ45 management, 1 × USB
- Power & cooling:2 power module slots (hot‑swappable); 3 modular fan slots
- Form factor:1 RU chassis; dimensions ≈ 442 × 420 × 43.6 mm; weight ≈ 5.3 kg
- Operating environment:0°C to 45°C
Software and protocol support extends the switch’s usefulness beyond a simple aggregation device. Routing protocols include OSPFv2/v3 and BGP4/BGP4+, making the CS85 suitable for multi‑area campus designs and integration with Internet edge routers. IPv6 is supported natively, and VRF plus MPLS L3VPN support allow logical segmentation for multi‑tenant or service provider use cases. Multicast features (IGMP and PIM) and advanced security (802.1x, DHCP snooping, IP‑MAC binding, RADIUS/TACACS+, ACLs) make this a well‑rounded platform for converged enterprise networks.
- Optical-first deployments:All‑SFP service ports reduce copper cabling complexity and support longer reach and higher noise immunity between distribution points and edge devices.
- Scalability:10G uplinks and an expansion slot give room to grow bandwidth without forklift upgrades.
- High availability:Hot‑swappable PSUs and modular fans, plus VSU (virtual switch unit) support for up to four members, enable non‑disruptive maintenance and active redundancy.
- Network segmentation and security:Full L2/L3 feature set and management options allow granular policy enforcement and easier compliance with security requirements.
- Operational efficiency:Support for modern management interfaces (Netconf, gRPC, SNMPv3) helps integrate the CS85 into automation and telemetry frameworks.
Use cases and scenarios where the CS85 excels
The RG‑CS85‑48SFP4XS‑D is particularly well suited to environments that prioritise fibre connectivity, modular redundancy and rich routing features. Typical deployments include:
- Campus aggregation/core:Use the CS85 as an aggregation or core node in university, enterprise or government campuses where edge switches are fibre‑connected or where long runs make copper impractical.
- Data centre top-of-rack/edge:In smaller data centres or edge facilities, the CS85 can serve as an aggregation switch, offering optical server links and 10G uplinks to spine devices.
- Large branch office or retail hub:Centralised branch hubs that require separation of services (VRF), high port density and resilient power architectures.
- Service provider access aggregation:For managed service environments that present services to multiple tenants, the CS85’s VRF and security features are valuable for traffic segregation and policy enforcement.
- Environments needing graceful upgrades:Organisations that require zero‑downtime maintenance benefit from the hot‑swap power architecture and VSU clustering to perform rolling upgrades and replacements.
How it compares with similar products on the market
When evaluating aggregation/core switches you’ll commonly consider brands like Cisco, HPE/Aruba and Juniper. The CS85’s differentiators are its optical port focus, modular redundancy and price‑point relative to branded incumbents:
- Versus Cisco Catalyst family:Cisco Catalyst switches offer extensive enterprise features and deep ecosystem integration, often with large feature sets for programmability and telemetry. However, Catalyst models with equivalent SFP density and redundant modular power options can be more expensive. The CS85 delivers comparable L2/L3 feature coverage and resilience at a competitive price, particularly for fibre‑first designs.
- Versus HPE/Aruba switches:Aruba devices typically focus on unified wired/wireless management and broad SD‑LAN capabilities. The CS85 matches many enterprise routing requirements and provides strong optical density, while Aruba alternatives may prioritise copper PoE or integrated WLAN services depending on the model.
- Versus Juniper EX series:Juniper is known for high‑performance routing, Junos OS consistency and strong automation tools. The CS85 compares well on basic L2/L3 features and redundancy, and may offer a more cost‑effective option when fibre port density and simple expansion are prime concerns.
In short, the RG‑CS85 occupies a segment where cost‑effective fibre density, strong L3 routing and modular high‑availability features are needed without the premium price tag often attached to legacy incumbents.
Customer feedback and common impressions
Specific public customer reviews for a particular model may vary by reseller and deployment. Common themes found in feedback for this class of Ruijie switches include:
- Positive:Installers and network engineers often praise the CS85 for its optical port density, its straightforward redundancy (hot‑swap PSUs and fans) and the practical combination of L2/L3 features out of the box. The management options (CLI plus modern APIs) are frequently noted as enabling integration with automation tools.
- Constructive notes:Some organisations migrating from large vendor ecosystems may need time to adapt to Ruijie’s management workflows or integrate with existing NMS systems. As with any enterprise purchase, careful planning around power module part numbers and spare inventory is recommended.
- Operational examples:IT teams that replaced older copper aggregation switches with the CS85 reported simplified cabling, fewer physical cable runs and improved reliability in noisy electrical environments because of the fibre connections.
Conclusion — why choose the RG‑CS85‑48SFP4XS‑D
The Ruijie RG‑CS85‑48SFP4XS‑D is a compelling choice for organisations that prioritise optical connectivity, robust Layer‑3 capabilities and high availability without paying a premium for brand‑name incumbents. Its 48 all‑optical SFP ports combined with 4 flexible SFP+ uplinks deliver a clear migration path to higher aggregated bandwidth. Modular, hot‑swappable power and fan architecture, plus VSU support, make it suitable for environments that require non‑disruptive maintenance and resilient operation.
Whether you are designing a campus aggregation layer, a data centre edge node, or a resilient large‑branch hub, the CS85 brings a practical balance of performance, manageability and cost effectiveness. For organisations looking to move toward fibre‑first cabling and wanting enterprise routing features (OSPF/BGP/VRF) alongside modern management interfaces, the RG‑CS85‑48SFP4XS‑D is worth strong consideration.
Suggested price:3,498.88 (local currency) — check with authorised Ruijie resellers for current availability, warranty options and support packages. For installations requiring high availability and redundancy, professional installation and adherence to Ruijie’s hardware installation guides is recommended.
