CISCO N9K-C9348GC-FXP

The Cisco N9K-C9348GC-FXP is a high-performance, fixed-configuration switch designed for data center environments. It’s part of the Cisco Nexus 9300-FX series, known for its cloud-scale technology and ability to handle demanding workloads. Here’s a detailed look at its features:  

Key Features:

• High-Density Port Configuration:
  • 48 ports of 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet (RJ-45) for server connections.  
  • 4 ports of 1/10/25 Gigabit Ethernet (SFP28) for uplink or server connectivity.  
  • 2 ports of 40/100 Gigabit Ethernet (QSFP28) for high-speed uplinks to aggregation switches or routers.  
• High Performance:
  • Switching capacity of 696 Gbps, enabling fast and efficient data transfer within the network.  
  • Forwarding rate of 250 Mpps, ensuring smooth handling of network traffic.  
• Advanced Features:
  • Support for Layer 2 and Layer 3 protocols, including VLANs, VXLAN, and routing protocols, providing flexibility for network design and segmentation.  
  • Cisco NX-OS software, offering advanced features like programmability, automation, and monitoring capabilities.  
  • Support for Cisco Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI), enabling automated network provisioning and management.  
• Scalability and Flexibility:
  • Designed for data center environments, offering scalability to meet growing network demands.  
  • Flexible port configurations allow for various network topologies and connectivity options.
• Energy Efficiency:
  • Optimized for power consumption, contributing to lower operating costs.
  • Back-to-front airflow design for efficient cooling in rack deployments.  

Benefits:

• High-bandwidth connectivity: Supports a mix of speeds to accommodate various devices and applications in the data center.
• Scalability: Can be deployed in large and complex networks, scaling to meet the needs of growing businesses.
• Performance: Delivers high switching capacity and forwarding rates for demanding applications.
• Flexibility: Offers diverse port configurations and supports various network protocols and architectures.  
• Automation: Enables network automation through Cisco NX-OS and ACI integration, simplifying management and operations.
• Efficiency: Designed for energy efficiency and optimized cooling to reduce operational costs.  

Use Cases:

• Data center top-of-rack (ToR) switch: Connects servers to the network and provides uplink connectivity to aggregation switches.  
• Cloud computing environments: Supports high-bandwidth requirements and enables network automation for cloud deployments.
• High-performance computing (HPC) clusters: Provides low-latency and high-bandwidth connectivity for HPC applications.
• Enterprise networks: Can be used in large enterprise networks requiring high performance and scalability.