N9K-C9396TX Cisco Nexus 9396TX 48 Ports Managed Switch Layer 3

Cisco N9K-C9396TX Nexus 9396TX 48-Port Managed Layer 3 Switch

Overview of Cisco N9K-C9396TX

• Manufacturer: Cisco
• SKU/Part Number: N9K-C9396TX
• Product Category: Network Switch
• Sub-Type: 48-Port Managed Switch

Technical Specifications

Device Configuration

• Type: Managed Layer 3 Switch
• Ports: 48 x 10GBASE-T + 12 x 40G QSFP+
• Enclosure: 2U Rack-Mountable
• Performance: 1.92 Tbps bandwidth

Capacity & Routing

• IPv4 Longest Prefix Match (LPM) entries: 16,000
• IPv4 Host Table entries: 88,000
• MAC Addresses Supported: 160,000
• IPv4 Multicast Routes: 32,000
• Virtual Interfaces (VLANs): Up to 4,096

Network Management & Protocols

• Remote Management: SNMP v1, v2, v3, RMON, Telnet, SSH-2
• Standards Compliance: IEEE 802.3z, 802.1d, 802.1q, 802.3x, 802.3ad (LACP), 802.1w, 802.3ae, 802.1s, 801.1p, 802.3ba

Advanced Features

• Flow Control and Modular Design
• Load Balancing & Weighted Round Robin (WRR) Queuing
• VLAN Support & Broadcast/Multicast/Unicast Storm Control
• Weighted Random Early Detection (WRED) for congestion management
• Spanning Tree Protocol (STP), Rapid STP (RSTP), and Multiple STP (MSTP)
• Access Control List (ACL) Integration
• Quality of Service (QoS) & DiffServ Code Point (DSCP) Support
• RADIUS & RDMA Support, LLDP, and Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP)

Dimensions & Power

• Physical Size: 17.5" W x 22.5" D x 3.5" H
• Internal Hot-Plug Power Supply (not installed)
• Redundant Power Support: Yes, up to 2 units

Cisco Nexus 9396TX Managed Layer 3 Switching Architecture

The Cisco N9K-C9396TX Nexus 9396TX 48 Ports Managed Switch Layer 3 belongs to the Cisco Nexus 9000 Series, a family of data center-class switches engineered to deliver predictable performance, scalability, and reliability for modern enterprise, cloud, and service provider networks. This category of Layer 3 managed switches is designed to function as a core, aggregation, or access-layer component in high-density data center environments where low latency, high throughput, and operational simplicity are critical. The Nexus 9396TX represents a balance between port density, advanced routing features, and software-defined networking readiness, making it a versatile choice for evolving infrastructures.

The 9396TX platform is optimized for environments that require high-capacity 10 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity with integrated uplink flexibility. Its design supports consistent performance under heavy workloads while maintaining advanced Layer 2 and Layer 3 switching and routing capabilities. As part of the broader Nexus switching category, this model is built around Cisco’s commitment to programmable, automated, and policy-driven networking, enabling organizations to simplify operations without sacrificing control or security.

High-Density 10 Gigabit Ethernet Port Configuration

The Cisco Nexus 9396TX is equipped with 48 fixed 10GBASE-T ports, making it particularly suitable for data centers that rely on copper-based Ethernet connectivity. This port density supports high server-to-switch ratios, reducing the number of switches required per rack and lowering overall infrastructure complexity. The availability of 10GBASE-T ports allows seamless integration with existing server network interface cards, minimizing the need for additional transceivers and simplifying deployment.

In addition to its 10 Gigabit access ports, the switch category includes models that provide flexible uplink options to support aggregation and core connectivity. This flexibility enables network architects to design scalable topologies that can grow alongside business demands. The 9396TX fits naturally into environments transitioning from traditional 1 Gigabit Ethernet to higher-speed connections, ensuring investment protection and future readiness.

Layer 3 Routing Capabilities for Advanced Network Design

As a managed Layer 3 switch, the Cisco Nexus 9396TX category supports a wide range of routing protocols and features that enable sophisticated network segmentation and traffic optimization. These capabilities include support for dynamic routing protocols, inter-VLAN routing, and advanced policy-based forwarding. By integrating routing functionality directly into the switching layer, organizations can reduce latency, improve throughput, and simplify network design.

The Layer 3 functionality is particularly valuable in large-scale data centers and enterprise campuses where traffic patterns are complex and highly dynamic. The Nexus 9396TX enables efficient east-west traffic flow, which is essential for virtualization, cloud computing, and distributed application architectures. Its ability to handle large routing tables and high-speed packet forwarding ensures consistent performance even during peak utilization.

Performance and Low-Latency Switching Design

The Cisco Nexus 9396TX category is engineered to deliver deterministic performance with ultra-low latency, a critical requirement for modern applications such as real-time analytics, high-frequency trading, and large-scale virtualization. The hardware architecture is designed to process packets at line rate, ensuring that performance remains consistent regardless of traffic patterns or packet sizes.

Low latency is achieved through a combination of optimized hardware forwarding paths and efficient buffering mechanisms. This ensures minimal delay in packet transmission, which is essential for maintaining application responsiveness and overall network efficiency. The switch’s architecture supports non-blocking throughput, allowing all ports to operate at full capacity simultaneously without congestion.

Scalability for Growing Data Center Environments

Scalability is a defining characteristic of the Cisco Nexus 9396TX category. The switch is designed to integrate seamlessly into larger Nexus-based fabrics, supporting spine-leaf architectures that can scale horizontally as demand increases. This design approach allows organizations to expand capacity by adding additional switches rather than replacing existing infrastructure.

The scalability of this category is further enhanced by its support for advanced virtualization and overlay technologies. These features enable network administrators to create logical network segments that span multiple physical devices, simplifying management and improving resource utilization. As data center workloads grow and diversify, the Nexus 9396TX provides the flexibility needed to adapt without significant redesign.

Software-Defined Networking and Automation Readiness

The Cisco Nexus 9396TX is part of a category that emphasizes programmability and automation, aligning with modern DevOps and NetOps practices. It supports Cisco’s NX-OS operating system, which provides a robust, modular software foundation with extensive automation and scripting capabilities. NX-OS enables consistent configuration and management across the Nexus 9000 Series, reducing operational complexity.

Automation features allow administrators to deploy configurations rapidly, enforce policies consistently, and respond quickly to changing network conditions. This is particularly important in environments where agility and speed are critical, such as cloud service providers and large enterprises with frequent application deployments.

Integration with Cisco ACI and Programmable Interfaces

The Nexus 9396TX category is designed to integrate with Cisco Application Centric Infrastructure, enabling policy-driven networking that aligns network behavior with application requirements. This integration allows organizations to define intent-based policies that are automatically enforced across the network, reducing manual configuration errors and improving consistency.

In addition to ACI support, the switch provides programmable interfaces such as APIs and support for automation tools. These capabilities allow integration with orchestration platforms and custom management solutions, making the Nexus 9396TX suitable for highly automated data center environments.

Reliability, Redundancy, and Enterprise-Class Availability

Reliability is a core requirement for any enterprise or data center switching category, and the Cisco Nexus 9396TX is engineered to meet these expectations. The platform includes support for redundant power supplies and advanced monitoring features that help ensure continuous operation. These design elements minimize the risk of downtime and support mission-critical applications.

High availability is further enhanced through features such as fast convergence, graceful restart, and in-service software upgrades. These capabilities allow the network to maintain connectivity even during maintenance or unexpected events, ensuring that business operations remain uninterrupted.

Thermal Efficiency and Data Center Optimization

The physical design of the Nexus 9396TX category emphasizes efficient airflow and thermal management, which is essential in high-density data center deployments. Efficient cooling reduces energy consumption and helps maintain optimal operating conditions, contributing to lower operational costs.

By supporting front-to-back or back-to-front airflow options depending on the configuration, the switch can be aligned with data center cooling strategies. This flexibility simplifies rack layout planning and ensures compatibility with existing infrastructure.

Security Features and Network Segmentation

Security is an integral aspect of the Cisco Nexus 9396TX managed switch category. The platform supports advanced security features that help protect the network from internal and external threats. These features include access control mechanisms, segmentation capabilities, and support for secure management protocols.

Network segmentation is particularly important in multi-tenant environments and data centers that host diverse workloads. The Nexus 9396TX enables logical separation of traffic, reducing the attack surface and improving compliance with regulatory requirements. Its Layer 3 capabilities allow for granular control over traffic flows, enhancing overall security posture.

Policy Enforcement and Visibility

Enhanced visibility into network traffic is a key advantage of this category. The Nexus 9396TX provides tools for monitoring and analyzing traffic patterns, enabling administrators to detect anomalies and enforce security policies effectively. This visibility supports proactive troubleshooting and helps maintain optimal performance.

Policy enforcement mechanisms ensure that security rules are applied consistently across the network. This reduces the risk of misconfiguration and helps maintain compliance with organizational and regulatory standards.

Use Cases Across Enterprise and Data Center Deployments

The Cisco Nexus 9396TX category is suitable for a wide range of use cases, from enterprise data centers to service provider networks. Its combination of high port density, advanced Layer 3 features, and automation readiness makes it ideal for virtualization-heavy environments, private and hybrid clouds, and large-scale application deployments.

In enterprise environments, the switch can function as an aggregation or core device, supporting high-speed connectivity between access switches and critical resources. In data centers, it fits naturally into spine-leaf architectures, providing reliable and scalable connectivity for servers and storage systems.

Support for Virtualization and Cloud Architectures

Virtualization places unique demands on network infrastructure, including high east-west traffic and rapid workload mobility. The Nexus 9396TX category is designed to meet these demands by providing consistent performance and flexible network segmentation. Its support for overlay technologies enables seamless integration with virtualized and containerized environments.

Cloud architectures benefit from the switch’s automation and programmability, which simplify large-scale deployments and ongoing management. By reducing manual intervention, organizations can achieve greater agility and operational efficiency.

Investment Protection and Long-Term Value

Choosing a switch from the Cisco Nexus 9396TX category represents a long-term investment in network infrastructure. The platform’s support for modern networking paradigms ensures that it remains relevant as technologies evolve. Its robust hardware design and feature-rich software provide a foundation that can support future upgrades and expansions.

The combination of performance, scalability, and manageability makes this category a cost-effective choice over the lifecycle of the network. By reducing operational complexity and supporting automation, the Nexus 9396TX helps organizations achieve a lower total cost of ownership while maintaining high performance and reliability.

Alignment with Modern Networking Standards

The Cisco Nexus 9396TX category aligns with contemporary networking standards and best practices, ensuring interoperability with a wide range of devices and platforms. This compatibility simplifies integration into existing environments and supports gradual network modernization strategies.

By adhering to open standards and providing flexible configuration options, the switch enables organizations to design networks that are both robust and adaptable. This alignment ensures that the Nexus 9396TX remains a valuable component in diverse and evolving network ecosystems.