Meta 51.2T Ethernet Switch

Author: Run Joo, Network Hardware Engineer, Meta Collection: 2024 OCP Global Summit - Networking

Summary

Meta introduces its 51.2T Ethernet switch platform in two SKUs: Minipack3 (based on Broadcom Tomahawk5 ASIC) and Cisco 8501 (based on Cisco Silicon One G200 ASIC). Both share a common architecture and feature set, representing the third generation of Meta's Minipack switch family. The platform delivers 128 ports of 400GE non-blocking switching capacity through 64 OSFP ports in a compact 4RU 19-inch form factor, with backward compatibility to 200GE and 100GE. This is a PHY-less design, and for the first time in the Minipack family, a QSFP28 management port is included for back-end network and TOR applications.

The presentation highlights several architectural innovations. The BMC-Lite architecture redistributes platform management responsibilities: the BMC handles critical functions (power-on sequencing, fail recovery, system event logging) while the x86 CPU manages voltage regulators, sensors, firmware flash devices, and fan trays through an IOB FPGA (AMD Artix7) and CPLD devices. PlatformManager introduces standardized hardware interfaces and Type-Length-Value EEPROM format for automatic component discovery, dramatically improving software NPI efficiency. PSU-agnostic design allows units to be pre-built without knowing the specific PSU SKU, with customization deferred to late-stage manufacturing.

The Cisco 8501 represents an evolution in Meta-Cisco partnership from silicon-only collaboration (Wedge400C with Cisco Silicon One Q200, since 2021) to full gray-box co-development where Cisco designed the complete system inspired by Minipack3's OCP design. Both platforms run FBOSS as the NOS. Minipack3 specs and design packages were submitted to OCP in September 2024, with mass production expected in Q1 2025. Scheduled fabric is supported through a separate platform (DSF), not these switches.