N9K-C9272Q Cisco Nexus 9272Q Ethernet Switch 72 Ports

Cisco Nexus 9272Q Managed Switch Overview

The Cisco N9K-C9272Q Nexus 9272Q is a high-density data center switch engineered for scalable, low-latency environments. Designed to support modern cloud architectures, this model delivers consistent throughput, advanced manageability, and enterprise-grade reliability for demanding network infrastructures.

Core Product Details

• Brand: Cisco
• Model Number / SKU: N9K-C9272Q
• Category: Data Center Switch
• Port Configuration: 72-Port Managed Switch

High-Performance Networking Capabilities

Built for spine-and-leaf deployments, this Nexus switch provides exceptional bandwidth density and predictable performance, making it suitable for large-scale virtualization, storage fabrics, and high-performance computing workloads.

Switch Fabric and Throughput

• Total switching capacity reaching up to 5.76 Tbps
• Forwarding performance of up to 4.5 billion packets per second
• Optimized packet handling for east-west traffic patterns

40 Gigabit Ethernet Connectivity

• Equipped with 72 QSFP+ ports
• Supports high-speed 40GbE connections for aggregation and core layers
• Ideal for dense rack deployments and scalable data center designs

Management and Control Interfaces

The Nexus 9272Q includes multiple management access options, allowing flexible configuration, monitoring, and maintenance across various operational environments.

Available Management Ports

• 1 × RJ-45 dedicated management interface
• 1 × SFP management port for fiber-based access
• 1 × RS-232 serial console connection
• 1 × USB Type-A port for local operations

Cooling Architecture and Airflow Design

To ensure optimal thermal efficiency, the switch is delivered with a back-to-front airflow configuration, suitable for hot-aisle and cold-aisle data center layouts.

Fan Module Configuration

• Includes 2 × N9K-C9300-FAN3-B fan modules
• Back-to-front airflow with port-side exhaust
• Designed for consistent cooling under heavy workloads

Redundant Power Infrastructure

For uninterrupted operation, the Cisco N9K-C9272Q is supplied with redundant power supplies that support high availability and power efficiency.

Power Supply Specifications

• 2 × NXA-PAC-1200W-PE power supply units included
• 1200W power output per PSU
• Back-to-front airflow matching the cooling design

Layer 2 Scalability

This Nexus switch supports extensive Layer 2 networking requirements, enabling efficient handling of large-scale address environments.

MAC Address Capacity

• Supports up to 92,000 MAC addresses
• Suitable for highly virtualized and multi-tenant networks

Cisco Nexus 9272Q Series Overview and Category Positioning

The Cisco N9K-C9272Q Nexus 9272Q 72 Ports Managed Switch category represents a high-density, ultra-low latency data center switching platform engineered for modern enterprise, service provider, and cloud-scale environments. Positioned within the Cisco Nexus 9000 Series, this category is purpose-built to support scalable leaf and spine architectures where predictable performance, high throughput, and operational simplicity are essential. The Nexus 9272Q model is widely adopted in environments that demand consistent 40 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity combined with advanced Layer 2 and Layer 3 features, enabling seamless integration into both traditional and software-defined data center designs.

This category is recognized for its ability to consolidate network infrastructure while maintaining high port density and non-blocking performance. With 72 fixed QSFP+ ports, the Cisco Nexus 9272Q managed switch category supports flexible deployment scenarios, allowing organizations to scale east-west traffic efficiently while reducing cabling complexity. Enterprises leveraging virtualization, private cloud, and high-performance computing workloads benefit from the deterministic forwarding and hardware-based switching that define this product class.

High-Density 40 Gigabit Ethernet Switching Capabilities

The Cisco N9K-C9272Q Nexus 9272Q 72 Ports Managed Switch category is centered on high-density 40GbE connectivity, enabling data centers to handle massive traffic volumes without compromising latency or throughput. Each QSFP+ port is capable of delivering line-rate performance, making this category suitable for environments where bandwidth-intensive applications such as big data analytics, storage networking, and large-scale virtualization are standard operational requirements.

This category also supports flexible port breakout options, allowing a single 40GbE port to be divided into multiple 10GbE connections when required. This adaptability ensures that network architects can align physical connectivity with evolving workload demands while preserving long-term investment value. The managed nature of the Cisco Nexus 9272Q category allows administrators to dynamically configure interfaces, apply policies, and monitor traffic patterns with granular precision.

Non-Blocking Architecture and Low Latency Performance

At the core of the Cisco Nexus 9272Q category is a non-blocking switch fabric designed to maintain consistent performance under full load. This architecture ensures that all ports can operate simultaneously at maximum capacity without congestion, which is critical in modern data centers where east-west traffic often exceeds north-south flows. The low latency characteristics of this category make it particularly suitable for latency-sensitive workloads, including financial trading platforms, real-time analytics, and distributed databases.

The hardware-based forwarding plane employed in this category minimizes jitter and packet loss, enabling predictable application behavior even during peak traffic conditions. Network operators selecting the Cisco N9K-C9272Q managed switch category gain confidence in their ability to support mission-critical services that depend on stable and deterministic network performance.

Advanced Layer 2 and Layer 3 Feature Set

The Cisco Nexus 9272Q 72 Ports Managed Switch category delivers a comprehensive suite of Layer 2 and Layer 3 features designed to support complex data center topologies. This category includes advanced switching capabilities such as VLAN segmentation, link aggregation, and spanning tree enhancements that allow organizations to design resilient and scalable network fabrics.

On the routing side, the category supports dynamic routing protocols that enable efficient traffic distribution across large-scale infrastructures. This ensures optimal path selection, rapid convergence, and high availability for applications that rely on continuous connectivity. The integration of both switching and routing features within a single platform simplifies network design and reduces the need for additional devices.

VXLAN and Modern Data Center Overlay Support

The Cisco N9K-C9272Q category is optimized for modern overlay technologies, including VXLAN, which enables scalable Layer 2 extension over Layer 3 networks. This capability is essential for organizations adopting virtualization and containerized workloads that require flexible and dynamic network segmentation. By supporting VXLAN with hardware-assisted forwarding, this category ensures high performance without sacrificing scalability.

VXLAN integration within this category allows seamless mobility of virtual machines and workloads across the data center while maintaining consistent network policies. This enhances operational agility and supports hybrid and multi-tenant environments where isolation and scalability are critical.

Multicast and Traffic Optimization Capabilities

The Cisco Nexus 9272Q managed switch category includes robust multicast support, enabling efficient distribution of data streams to multiple recipients. This is particularly valuable in environments such as financial services, media streaming, and data replication, where multicast traffic plays a central role. Hardware-based multicast forwarding ensures that performance remains consistent even as the number of receivers increases.

Traffic optimization features embedded within this category help reduce unnecessary bandwidth consumption and improve overall network efficiency. By intelligently managing traffic flows, the Cisco N9K-C9272Q category contributes to predictable application performance and optimized resource utilization.

Operational Efficiency and Manageability

The Cisco Nexus 9272Q 72 Ports Managed Switch category is designed with operational simplicity in mind, offering centralized management and automation capabilities that reduce administrative overhead. This category supports Cisco NX-OS, a robust network operating system that provides a consistent command-line interface, comprehensive APIs, and advanced telemetry features.

Through automation and programmability, network teams can deploy configurations rapidly, enforce policies consistently, and respond quickly to changing business requirements. The managed switch nature of this category ensures that administrators maintain full visibility and control over network behavior, enhancing both reliability and security.

Programmability and Automation Integration

Programmability is a defining characteristic of the Cisco N9K-C9272Q category, enabling integration with automation frameworks and orchestration tools. Support for APIs and scripting interfaces allows network operations to be aligned with DevOps practices, reducing manual intervention and minimizing configuration errors.

This level of automation is particularly beneficial in large-scale environments where frequent changes are required to support application deployments and scaling events. By enabling repeatable and consistent configurations, the Cisco Nexus 9272Q category helps organizations achieve faster time to value and improved operational consistency.

Telemetry, Monitoring, and Visibility

The Cisco Nexus 9272Q managed switch category offers advanced telemetry and monitoring capabilities that provide real-time insights into network performance. Streaming telemetry allows network operators to collect granular data on traffic flows, latency, and resource utilization, enabling proactive troubleshooting and capacity planning.

Enhanced visibility into network behavior supports data-driven decision-making and helps organizations maintain optimal performance levels. This category empowers IT teams to identify potential issues before they impact applications, contributing to higher service availability and improved user experiences.

Reliability, High Availability, and Data Center Resilience

Reliability is a cornerstone of the Cisco N9K-C9272Q Nexus 9272Q 72 Ports Managed Switch category. Designed for continuous operation in demanding data center environments, this category incorporates redundant components and fault-tolerant architectures that minimize downtime. High availability features ensure that network services remain accessible even in the event of hardware or link failures.

The robust design of this category supports mission-critical workloads that require uninterrupted connectivity. Enterprises and service providers rely on the proven stability of the Cisco Nexus 9272Q category to maintain consistent operations across their infrastructure.

Redundancy and Power Efficiency

The Cisco Nexus 9272Q category includes redundant power supply and cooling options that enhance overall system resilience. These features ensure that the switch can continue operating even if a component fails, reducing the risk of service disruption. Power efficiency considerations within this category also help organizations manage operational costs while supporting high-density deployments.

Efficient thermal management and intelligent power utilization contribute to long-term reliability and sustainability, making this category suitable for modern data centers focused on performance and efficiency.

Scalability for Growing Network Demands

Scalability is a defining attribute of the Cisco N9K-C9272Q managed switch category. The high port density and support for advanced routing and overlay technologies enable organizations to expand their networks without redesigning core infrastructure. This scalability ensures that the category remains relevant as data center requirements evolve.

By supporting both current and emerging workloads, the Cisco Nexus 9272Q category provides a future-ready foundation for organizations seeking to build resilient, high-performance networks that can adapt to changing business needs.

Use Case Alignment and Deployment Scenarios

The Cisco Nexus 9272Q 72 Ports Managed Switch category is ideally suited for a wide range of deployment scenarios, including enterprise data centers, cloud service providers, and high-performance computing environments. Its combination of high bandwidth, low latency, and advanced features makes it a versatile choice for organizations seeking to optimize their network infrastructure.

This category is commonly deployed as both a leaf and spine switch within modern data center fabrics, supporting scalable architectures that can accommodate rapid growth. By delivering consistent performance and operational simplicity, the Cisco N9K-C9272Q category plays a central role in enabling digital transformation initiatives.