Nexus 9000/3000 Series:Overview and Specs
Cisco NX-OS and Nexus Switches Overview #
Cisco NX-OS is a highly versatile, open, and programmable network operating system foundational to next-generation data centers and cloud networks. It is built on a resilient, Linux-based architecture optimized for demanding cloud environments and runs on Cisco Nexus data center and storage networking switches.
Key aspects of Cisco NX-OS include:
- Automation & Programmability: Features like Power On Auto Provisioning significantly speed up deployment. It integrates seamlessly with DevOps tools (Ansible, Chef, Puppet, SaltStack) and supports industry standards like YANG and OpenConfig. Extensive APIs (NX-API) and an SDK allow for custom application development and secure hosting (LXC, Docker).
- Visibility: Provides deep insight into the network state through a centralized database accessible via various methods. Cloud-scale ASICs enable detailed flow and utilization monitoring. Advanced buffer monitoring helps analyze traffic patterns, and Cisco Nexus Data Broker assists with traffic monitoring and analysis.
- High Availability: Designed for continuous network operation with features like hitless upgrades (ISSU), fast reloads with minimal impact, and graceful device insertion/removal. Processes support stateful restarts and patching.
- Architectural Flexibility: Supports standard-based VXLAN EVPN fabrics and three-tier BGP architectures for scalable IP fabrics. Segment routing is available for MPLS traffic engineering without RSVP. Comprehensive Layer 3 protocol suites (BGP, OSPF, EIGRP, RIPv2, PIM-SM, SSM, MSDP) are supported.
- Modeling: Offers N9Kv (Virtual NX-OS) for integrating automation and operational models with DevOps and NetOps, compatible with platforms like VMware, KVM, and Fusion, and supported by Cisco VIRL and CML.
- Closed-Loop Automation: Managed by Data Center Network Manager (DCNM) 11, which streamlines provisioning, reduces troubleshooting, automates changes via templates, and provides real-time health monitoring and correlated visibility of the network and endpoints.
- Cloud-Scale Capabilities: Delivers wire-rate Layer 2/3 switching. Flexible forwarding tables provide high scalability for various entries. Supports MACsec for physical layer encryption and lossless transport for RoCE with DCB protocols (PFC, ETS, DCBX, ECN). Also supports Fibre Channel and FCoE NPV for converged networks.
- Cisco Tetration Platform Integration: Exports detailed telemetry data from Nexus 9300 ASICs, including flow, inter-packet variation, and context information. This data is used by the Tetration platform for real-time visibility, application insights, a zero-trust model, and simplified operations through machine learning and behavior analysis.
Cisco Nexus 9000 and 3000 Series Switches
Cisco Nexus 9000 switches support both Cisco NX-OS mode for standard deployments and Cisco ACI mode for an intent-driven, policy-based approach.
The Cisco Nexus 9300 Series are fixed switches based on Cisco Cloud Scale technology, designed for cost-effective cloud-scale deployments, high performance, and scalability. They offer various interface options to support migration to higher speeds (1/10/40 Gbps to 25/50/100/400 Gbps). The 9300-GX switches introduce 400G QSFP-DD interfaces. In ACI mode, they support Network Assurance Engine (NAE) for continuous network verification, problem identification, root cause analysis, and suggested fixes, improving operational efficiency and security compliance.
Cisco Nexus 3000 switches are a portfolio of fixed switches utilizing merchant silicon. The Cisco Nexus 3400-S series are programmable 400G switches known for high performance-per-watt, low latency, and advanced analytics features like per-flow monitoring and packet forensics.
Here are the specifications tables from the document:
Table 1. Cisco Nexus 9300 Switch Access Platform Specifications
| Feature | Cisco Nexus 9348GC-FXP | Cisco Nexus 93108TC-FX | Cisco Nexus 93180YC-FX | Cisco Nexus 93240YC-FX2 |
| Ports | 48 x 1GBASE-T, 4 x 10/25Gbps SFP28, 2 x 40/100 QSFP28 | 48 x 10GBASE-T, 6 x 40/100Gbps QSFP28 | 48 x 10/25-Gbps, 6 x 40/100-Gbps QSFP28 | 48 x 1/10/25-Gbps, 12 x 40/100Gbps QSFP28 |
| CPU | 4 cores | 4 cores | 6 cores | 4 cores |
| System memory | 24 GB | 24 GB | 24 GB | 16 GB |
| SSD drive | 128 GB | 128 GB | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| System buffer | 40 MB | 40 MB | 40 MB | 40 MB |
| Management ports | 2 ports: 1 RJ-45 and 1 SFP+ | 2 ports: 1 RJ-45 and 1 SFP+ | 1 RJ-45 port | 2 ports: 1 RJ-45 and 1 SFP+ |
| USB ports | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| RS-232 serial ports | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| Power supplies (up to 2) | 350W AC, 440W DC | 500W AC, 930W DC, or 1200W HVAC/HVDC | 500W AC, 930W DC, or 1200W HVAC/HVDC | 1100W AC, 1100W DC |
| Typical power (AC/DC)* | 178W | 276W | 260W | 298W |
| Maximum power (AC/DC)* | 287W | 460W | 425W | 708W |
| Fans | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 |
| Airflow | Port-side intake and exhaust | Port-side intake and exhaust | Port-side intake and exhaust | Port-side intake and exhaust |
| Physical dimensions (H x W x D) | 1.72 x 17.3 x 19.7 in. (4.4 x 43.9 x 49.9 cm) | 1.72 x 17.3 x 22.5 in. (4.4 x 43.9 x 57.1 cm) | 1.72 x 17.3 x 22.5 in. (4.4 x 43.9 x 57.1 cm) | 2.1 x 17.3 x 23.3 in. (5.3 x 43.9 x 59.1 cm) |
* Typical and maximum power values are based on input drawn from the power circuit. The power supply value is based on the output rating to the inside of the switch.
Table 2. Cisco Nexus 9300 Switch High-Density Platform Specifications
| Feature | Cisco Nexus 9336C-FX2 | Cisco Nexus 9364C | Cisco Nexus 93600CD-GX | Cisco Nexus 9316D-GX |
| Ports | 36 x 40/100Gbps QSFP28 | 64 x 40/100-Gbps QSFP28, 2 x 1/10-Gbps SFP | 28 x 40/100-Gbps QSFP28, 8 x 40/100/400-Gbps QSFP-DD | 16 x 40/100/400Gbps QSFP-DD |
| CPU | 4 cores | 4 cores | 4 cores | 4 cores |
| System memory | 24 GB | 32 GB | 24 GB | 32 GB |
| SSD drive | 128 GB | 128 GB | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| System buffer | 40 MB | 40 MB | 80 MB | 80 MB |
| Management ports | 2 ports: 1 RJ-45 and 1 SFP+ | 2 ports: 1 RJ-45 and 1 SFP+ | 2 ports: 1 RJ-45 and 1 SFP+ | 2 ports: 1 RJ-45 and 1 SFP+ |
| USB ports | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| RS-232 serial ports | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Power supplies (up to 2) | 1200W AC, 930W DC or 1200W HVAC/HVDC | 1100W AC, 1100W DC, 1100W HVAC/HVDC | 1100W AC, 1100W DC, 1100W HVAC/HVDC | 1100W AC, 1100W DC, 1100W HVAC/HVDC |
| Typical power (AC) | 367W | 429W | 590W | 650W |
| Maximum power (AC) | 777W | 1245W | ||
| Fans | 3 dual fan trays | 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Airflow | Port-side intake and exhaust | Port-side intake and exhaust | Port-side intake and exhaust | Port-side intake and exhaust |
| Physical dimensions (H x W x D) | 3.38 x 17.37 x 22.27 in. (8.59 x 44.13 x 56.58 cm) | 1.72 x 17.37 x 25.5 in. (4.37 x 44.13 x 64.8 cm) | 1.72 x 17.3 x 24.5 in. (4.4 x 43.9 x 62.3 cm) | 3.38 x 17.37 x 22.27 in. (8.59 x 44.13 x 56.58 cm) |
A 930W-DC PSU in redundancy mode is supported under specific conditions (3.5W QSFP+ modules or passive cables, 40°C ambient or less); otherwise, it’s supported in non-redundancy mode with two PSUs.
Table 3. Hardware Performance and Scalability Specifications
| Item | Cisco Nexus 9300-FX Series | Cisco Nexus 9300-FX2 Series | Cisco Nexus 9364C Switch |
| Maximum number of Longest Prefix Match (LPM) routes** | 1,792,000 | 896,000 | 262,000 |
| Maximum number of IP host entries** | 1,792,000 | 896,000 | 262,000 |
| Maximum number of MAC address entries** | 512,000 | 256,000 | 92,000 |
| Maximum number of multicast routes | 32,000 | 32,000 | 32,000 |
| Number of IGMP snooping groups | Shipping: 8,000, Maximum: 32,000 | Shipping: 8,000, Maximum: 32,000 | Shipping: 8,000, Maximum: 32,000 |
| Maximum number of Cisco Nexus 2000 Series Fabric Extenders per switch | 16 | 16 | NA |
| Maximum number of Access Control List (ACL) entries | Single-slice: 5000 ingress, 2000 egress | Per slice: 5000 ingress, 2000 egress | Per slice: 4000 ingress, 2000 egress |
| Maximum number of VLANs | 3,967 | 3,967 | 3,967 |
| Number of Virtual Routing and Forwarding (VRF) instances | Shipping: 1,000, Maximum: 16,000 | Shipping: 1,000, Maximum: 16,000 | Shipping: 1,000, Maximum: 16,000 |
| Maximum number of ECMP paths | 64 | 64 | 64 |
| Maximum number of port channels | 512 | 512 | 1,024 |
| Maximum number of links in a port channel | 32 | 32 | 32 |
| Number of active SPAN sessions | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Maximum number of VLAN’s in RPVST instances | 3,967 | 3,967 | 3,967 |
| Maximum number of HSRP groups | 490 | 490 | 490 |
| Number of NAT entries | 1,023 | 1,023 | 1,023 |
| Maximum number of MST instances | 64 | 64 | 64 |
| Flow-table size for Cisco Tetration platform** | 32,000 | 64,000 |
Scalability values may change; refer to the Cisco Nexus 9000 Series Verified Scalability Guide for the latest information. ** Raw capacity of flow table.
Table 4. Cisco Nexus 3000 Switch Specifications
| Feature | Cisco Nexus 34180YC | Cisco Nexus 3464C | Cisco Nexus 3432D-S |
| Ports | 48 x 10/25Gbps, 6 x 40/100-Gbps QSFP28 | 64 x QSFP+/QSFP28, 2 x SFP | 32 x 40/100/400-Gbps QSFP-DD, 2 x 100M/1G SFP |
| CPU | 4 cores | 4 cores | 4 cores |
| System memory | 16 GB | 16 GB | 16 GB |
| SSD drive | 128 GB | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| System buffer | 20 MB | 22 MB | 70 MB |
| Management ports | 2 ports: 1 RJ-45 and 1 SFP | 2 ports: 1 RJ-45 and 1 SFP | 2 ports: 1 RJ-45 and 1 SFP+ |
| USB ports | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| RS-232 serial ports | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Power supplies (up to 2) | 500W AC, 930W DC, or 1200W HVAC/HVDC | 1200W AC, 930W DC, or 1200W HVAC/HVDC | 1100W AC |
| Typical power (AC/DC) | 190W | 460W | 626W |
| Maximum power (AC/DC) | 350W | 1000W | 1240W |
| Fans | 4 | 3 | 6 |
| Physical dimensions (H x W x D) | 1.72 x 17.3 x 22.5 in. (4.4 x 43.9 x 57.1 cm) | 3.38 x 17.4 x 22.5 in. (8.6 x 44.1 x 57.1 cm) | 1.75 x 17.29 x 25.4 in. (4.44 x 43.91 x 64.51 cm) |
