- High-speed 25/100GbE connectivity ideal for modern enterprise data centers.
- Latest 2025 security advisories and firmware patches ensure hardened infrastructure.
- Open networking OS support provides flexibility across different environments.
- Cost-effective scalability for spine-leaf and AI-ready network designs.
- Supports Dell SmartFabric OS10 and third-party NOS integrations.
- Enhanced automation and telemetry capabilities for simplified operations.
What’s New or Important Now
As of 2025, the Dell EMC PowerSwitch S5248F-ON continues to be a top performer in the 25/100GbE category, offering open networking flexibility to suit diverse enterprise demands. The switch supports the latest Dell Networking OS10 updates and new secure boot firmware improvements that align with Dell’s 2025 Security Advisories. Enterprises leveraging hybrid or multi-cloud environments benefit from enhanced automation frameworks and broader interoperability with containerized workloads and Kubernetes orchestration tools.
Open Networking Capabilities
The PowerSwitch S5248F-ON is an open networking platform, meaning it decouples hardware from the network operating system. Customers can use Dell’s OS10 Enterprise Edition or third-party NOS options such as SONiC or Cumulus Linux, depending on their environment. This approach provides architectural freedom while preserving high performance.
Buyer and Architect Guidance
Use Cases:
- Spine-leaf data center fabrics supporting enterprise virtualization and cloud platforms.
- High-performance computing (HPC) workloads requiring predictable low latency.
- AI/ML clusters that depend on consistent throughput and large east-west traffic handling.
Sizing Considerations: Plan for the number of 25GbE downlinks and 100GbE uplinks needed for growth. The 48x25GbE + 6x100GbE port layout supports scalable designs for mid-size to large environments.
Trade-offs: While open networking enhances flexibility, it may require increased integration effort when mixing multiple NOS sources. Enterprises with limited DevOps skills may prefer Dell’s managed OS10 configuration path.
Feature Comparison Table
| Switch Model | Port Configuration | Throughput | Operating System | Ideal Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PowerSwitch S5248F-ON | 48x25GbE + 6x100GbE | Up to 2.56 Tbps | OS10, SONiC, Cumulus | Enterprise spine-leaf fabrics |
| PowerSwitch S4148T-ON | 48x10GbE + 6x100GbE | 1.28 Tbps | OS10 | Campus aggregation, edge deployments |
| PowerSwitch S5448F-ON | 48x25GbE + 8x100GbE | 3.2 Tbps | OS10 | Large-scale data center fabrics |
Mini Implementation Guide
Prerequisites
- Configured management network for out-of-band management (OOBM)
- Access to Dell EMC Support site for firmware downloads
- Knowledge of desired NOS and license availability
Deployment Steps
- Rack and cable the S5248F-ON according to layout diagrams and airflow direction guidelines.
- Connect the OOBM interface and perform basic CLI configuration.
- Upgrade to the latest OS10 or chosen NOS release using the Dell EMC Firmware Update Utility.
- Configure VLANs, routing protocols (BGP or OSPF), and automation hooks (Ansible or REST APIs).
- Validate connectivity between leaf/spine devices and perform load testing.
Common Pitfalls
- Overlooking firmware dependency checks before NOS upgrade can lead to boot errors.
- Neglecting airflow direction (I/O to PSU or PSU to I/O) can cause thermal inefficiency.
- Incorrect uplink aggregation configuration may impact redundancy and ECMP path balancing.
Cost and ROI Considerations
The PowerSwitch S5248F-ON provides competitive pricing for its performance class, typically lower than fixed-architecture competitors with similar throughput. Operational ROI comes from reduced vendor lock-in, allowing choice of NOS, streamlined automation, and simplified lifecycle management through Dell CloudIQ integration. The use of open standards also helps extend switch refresh cycles.
FAQs
1. What NOS options are available?
Dell OS10 Enterprise Edition, SONiC, and Cumulus Linux are validated choices ensuring flexibility in deployment.
2. Can the S5248F-ON support VXLAN?
Yes, OS10 and SONiC support VXLAN and EVPN features for scalable overlay networking.
3. Is it suitable for AI workloads?
Yes, the switch supports low-latency configurations ideal for distributed AI and ML cluster interconnects.
4. How is it managed?
Through Dell OS10 CLI, REST APIs, or the SmartFabric Director for intent-based orchestration.
5. What are the warranty and support options?
Standard Dell ProSupport coverage with optional extended service packages up to 5 years.
6. Does it integrate with existing Dell infrastructure?
Yes. It aligns with Dell’s PowerEdge servers, PowerStore storage, and CloudIQ management tools for full-stack visibility.
Conclusion
The Dell EMC PowerSwitch S5248F-ON continues to define open, secure, and high-performance enterprise networking in 2025. Its combination of flexibility and speed makes it a reliable foundation for next-generation data center architectures. Learn more and explore certification paths at LearnDell Online.