topic Re: Power consumption on X690 in ExtremeSwitching (EXOS/Switch Engine)

Power consumption on X690

ChristianK — Tue, 22 Sep 2026 07:54:27 GMT

We have a running X690-G2.

The power consumption on one unit is high, and on the other is very low.

Can we do anything here to balance it?

Re: Power consumption on X690

FredrikB-NN2 — Tue, 22 Sep 2026 13:29:41 GMT

Hi! First of all, the X690 isn't named G2, even if it can be considered a gen 2 switch (just like the X620 etc). Regarding power measurements, you must relate that to the PSUs max power, which is 770 W for the X690 if using AC feed (and 1100 W if using DC). Your readings are very low, but at a pretty normal level. Here is an example from another X690:

X690-SW01.1 # show power

PowerSupply 1 information:
State : Powered On
PartInfo : Internal PSU-1 1850B-49034 800747-00-02
Revision : 02
Input : 230.25 V AC
Output 1 : 12.01 V, 4.28 A (12V/770W Max)
Power Usage : 64.00 W
Airflow Direction : Front to Back

PowerSupply 2 information:
State : Powered On
PartInfo : Internal PSU-2 1828B-43699 800747-00-02
Revision : 02
Input : 230.50 V AC
Output 1 : 12.04 V, 2.21 A (12V/770W Max)
Power Usage : 46.43 W
Airflow Direction : Front to Back

As you can see, the second PSU isn't used as much as the first. This is a pretty common strategy in systems with dual PSUs (not just Extreme). Some systems even have a primary PSU that takes all the load until it breaks or loses power and only then will the second PSU start to feed the system. Other systems will load balance the power from both (or all if multiple) PSUs.

You power consumption is about 100 W, so with dual PSUs, each able to push 770 W, you're nowhere near the max rating. I'd advice you to adjust your monitoring system so the thresholds become more accurate. 770 W at 12 V is 64 A so a warning threshold of 50 A and an alarm at 55 or 60 A would be more appropriate. The X690 will likely not even be able to use more than 200 W or so unless you fill it up with the worst SFPs you can find 🙂

Re: Power consumption on X690

ChristianK — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 06:50:34 GMT

denue6sw010.1 # show power

PowerSupply 1 information:
State : Powered On
PartInfo : Internal PSU-1 1828B-40813 800748-00-02
Revision : 02
Input : 226.00 V AC
Output 1 : 11.92 V, 0.39 A (12V/770W Max)
Power Usage : 37.31 W
Airflow Direction : Back to Front

PowerSupply 2 information:
State : Powered On
PartInfo : Internal PSU-2 1736B-40146 800748-00-02
Revision : 02
Input : 227.25 V AC
Output 1 : 12.03 V, 6.31 A (12V/770W Max)
Power Usage : 91.12 W
Airflow Direction : Back to Front

System Power Usage : 128.43 W
Poll Interval : 60 s
Change Threshold : N/A
Change Action : N/A

denue6sw010.2 #

Re: Power consumption on X690

ChristianK — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 06:52:21 GMT

There is no CLI command to "balance" the power or move from PSU 2 to PSU 1?

Only option to "balance" is pull the power cable? And hope when power is back that it get balanced.

Re: Power consumption on X690

ChristianK — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 06:53:07 GMT

The partner switch is more balanced

denue6sw009.1 # show power

PowerSupply 1 information:
State : Powered On
PartInfo : Internal PSU-1 1736B-40144 800748-00-02
Revision : 02
Input : 227.25 V AC
Output 1 : 12.03 V, 4.00 A (12V/770W Max)
Power Usage : 70.25 W
Airflow Direction : Back to Front

PowerSupply 2 information:
State : Powered On
PartInfo : Internal PSU-2 1736B-40368 800748-00-02
Revision : 02
Input : 226.00 V AC
Output 1 : 12.04 V, 2.12 A (12V/770W Max)
Power Usage : 44.87 W
Airflow Direction : Back to Front

System Power Usage : 115.12 W
Poll Interval : 60 s
Change Threshold : N/A
Change Action : N/A

Re: Power consumption on X690

FredrikB-NN2 — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 12:38:22 GMT

No, you cannot fix this with a command, and pulling the plug may or may not balance the PSUs. I believe the hardware isn't really built to produce a nice balance but will feed whatever the electrical bus requires. This means (if true) that the PSU with a slightly higer voltage output will feed more power to the system. Assume one PSU is calibrated to 12.00 V and one to 12.05 V, the one with the higher voltage will, due to physics, deliver more current. Also, mind you that these readings are certainly not correct, likely not even to the first decimal! We have an ongoing discussion with TAC about this pertaining to other platforms where the readings and real power differs wildly. The readings should be considered to be "guesstimates" rather than a true, calibrated value.

It's like with thermometers. You have one and know exactly the current temperature, with one decimal precision! You get another and all of a sudden, you realize that the first thermometer may be off by 1-2 degrees, because the new one doesn't match at all!