Sameh Boujelbene

Vice President

Dell’Oro Group’s Data Center Switch – Front-End Networks reports track the global market for high-speed Ethernet switching used in data center front-end networks, which connect general-purpose and accelerated servers to storage systems and external networks. The reports provide detailed analysis of manufacturer revenue, ports shipped, average selling prices, and software-related revenue, offering visibility into vendor positioning, customer segmentation, and technology adoption across the data center switching market.

As data centers scale to support cloud computing, AI, and enterprise workloads, front-end networks are evolving to meet increasing bandwidth requirements and higher-speed migrations. This research focuses on how Ethernet switching is enabling connectivity across compute, storage, and external environments, and how different customer segments—including hyperscalers, telecom service providers, and enterprises—are adopting these technologies.

The report also examines key architectural and technology trends shaping the market, including speed transitions from 25 Gbps to 800 Gbps and beyond, evolving network topologies, chip and SerDes technology advancements, and the growing role of disaggregation and open networking solutions such as SONiC.

Front-end Ethernet switching is a critical layer in data center infrastructure, directly impacting performance, scalability, and cost efficiency.

  • Growth in cloud and enterprise workloads is driving demand for higher-speed connectivity
  • Migration to 100G, 200G, 400G, and beyond is accelerating across customer segments
  • Adoption of white box switching and network disaggregation is reshaping vendor dynamics
  • Emerging technologies such as co-packaged optics and advanced SerDes are influencing future architectures

Understanding these trends is essential, as front-end networks handle traffic between compute, storage, and external environments, distinct from back-end AI networks covered in Dell’Oro Group’s separate Data Center Switch – AI Back-End Networks report.

The chart below explains the definition of front-end networks and back-end networks.

Definition of Data Center Switch Frontend and AI Backend Networks Diagram-DellOro Group

 

 

This Data Center Switch – Front-end Networks report addresses the following questions:

  • What are the growth drivers in front-end networks?
  • How is the growth rate different in AI-related-front-end vs. non-AI-related Front-end networks?
  • How are the Top 4 U.S. Cloud vs. Top 2 Tier 2 Cloud vs. the Top 3 China Cloud vs. the Telco Service Providers vs. Enterprises performing?
  • How is the speed migration to 100, 200, 400 Gbps, 800 Gbps, and ≥1600 Gbps different across various customer segments?
  • What is the network topology, chip generation and speed implementation roadmap at the various hyperscalers?
  • Which SerDes technology is driving the different Ethernet switch speeds in the market?
  • At what rate are the top Cloud providers adopting white box switches?
  • At what rate the disaggregation beyond the hyperscalers being adopted and what role is SONiC playing in accelerating this trend?

To answer these and other important questions, Dell’Oro Group currently delivers both quarterly reports and 5-year forecasts on the Data Center Switch – Front-end Networks market.

 

Data Center Switch – Front-end Networks Quarterly Reports

Dell’Oro Group’s quarterly reports provide in-depth market and vendor-level analysis of Ethernet switches used in front-end data center networks, including both hardware and software components.

Scope

    • Server access and aggregation
    • Storage systems aggregation
    • Data center core

Metrics

    • Manufacturer revenue
    • Ports shipped
    • Average selling prices
    • Software-related revenue (separately reported)

Software Coverage

    • Custom end-user software (e.g., internally developed controllers)
    • Vendor-based software (e.g., network operating systems and controllers)

Segmentation

    • Form factors: Modular, Fixed Managed, Fixed Unmanaged
    • Port speeds: 1/10/25/40/50/100/200/400/800/≥1600 Gbps
    • Customer segments: Top 4 U.S. Cloud, Top 3 China Cloud, Top 2 Tier 2 Cloud, Neocloud, Rest of Cloud, Large Enterprises, Rest of Enterprises
    • Regions: North America, EMEA, APAC, APAC excluding China, China, CALA

Data Center Switch – Front-end Networks 5-Year Forecasts

Dell’Oro Group publishes Data Center Switch – Front-end Networks market 5-year forecast reports offering a complete overview of the market with historical data from 2010 to the present.  Our forecasts include analysis and data on sales by customer type, including separate reporting on:

Forecast Coverage

    • Manufacturer revenue, port shipments, and average selling prices
    • Market trends by form factor, port speed, and customer segment

Detailed Forecast Includes

    • Port speeds from 1 Gbps to ≥1600 Gbps
    • Customer segmentation across cloud, telecom, and enterprise markets
    • Regional forecasts across all major geographies
    • SerDes speed evolution forecasts
    • High-speed attached rates by segment
    • Chip Unit by speed
    • AI vs. Non-AI Front-end switch ports by speed

Related Research

For a comprehensive view of data center infrastructure, Dell’Oro Group also offers:

Click here to contact us to learn more about the Data Center Switch—Front-end Networks research program and available purchasing options.