N3K-C31108PC-V Cisco Nexus 10 Gigabit 48-Port SFP+ Layer 3 Switch

Cisco N3K-C31108PC-V Nexus 10G 48-Port SFP+ Layer 3 Switch

The Cisco N3K-C31108PC-V is a high-performance 48-port Layer 3 switch, designed for demanding enterprise networks. Combining speed, reliability, and advanced management features, it ensures seamless connectivity for data centers and large-scale infrastructures.

Key Product Details

• Manufacturer: Cisco
• Model/SKU: N3K-C31108PC-V
• Product Type: Managed Switch
• Ports: 48 SFP+ and 6 QSFP+
• Form Factor: 1U Rack-mountable with Front-to-Back Airflow

Technical Specifications

Performance Metrics

• Switching Capacity: 2.8 Tbps
• Forwarding Rate: 1.4 Bpps
• Latency: 650 ns

Network Capacity & Protocols

• Supports up to 4096 VLANs
• Multiple Spanning Tree Instances: 64
• Rapid Spanning Tree Instances: 512
• ACL Entries: 16,000 ingress / 1,000 egress
• MAC Address Table Size: 288k entries
• Maximum Jumbo Frame: 9216 bytes
• Routing Protocols: OSPF, RIP-2, IGMPv2, HSRP, VRRP, PIM-SM, MSDP, ECMP, CIDR

Management & Security

• Remote Management: SNMP v1/v2/v3, RMON, Telnet, SSH-2, CLI
• Encryption: AES
• Authentication Methods: RADIUS, TACACS+, MS-CHAP, SSH2
• Time Synchronization: NTP & Precision Time Protocol (PTP)

Advanced Features

• DHCP and BOOTP Support
• Trunking & VLAN Configuration
• Syslog Integration
• RSTP, MSTP & Spanning Tree Support
• DHCP Snooping & ACL Control
• Jumbo Frame Handling
• Unicast Reverse Path Forwarding (uRPF)
• Uni-directional Link Detection (UDLD)
• Virtual PortChannel (vPC) & VXLAN
• Ethernet VPN (EVPN) Support

Compliance & Standards

• IEEE 802.3z, 802.1d, 802.1q, 802.1p, 802.3ad (LACP)
• IEEE 802.1w, 802.3ae, 802.1s, 802.1ab (LLDP)
• IEEE 802.3an, 802.3ba
• IEEE 1588-2008 Precision Timing

Expansion and Connectivity Options

• 48 x SFP+ Ports for high-speed fiber connections
• 6 x QSFP+ Ports for uplink flexibility
• 1 x 1000BASE-T RJ-45 Management Port
• 1 x RS-232 Serial Console
• 1 x USB Interface

Power and Redundancy

• Dual Hot-pluggable Internal Power Supplies
• Maximum Supported Units: 2 with 1+1 Redundancy Scheme
• AC Voltage Requirement: 120/230V, 50/60Hz

Cisco Nexus 3000 Series Data Center Switching Architecture

The Cisco N3K-C31108PC-V Nexus 10 Gigabit 48 Ports SFP+ Layer 3 Switch belongs to the Cisco Nexus 3000 Series, a family of low-latency, high-density Ethernet switches designed to meet the demanding requirements of modern data centers. This category of switches is engineered to support mission-critical workloads, scalable cloud architectures, and high-performance enterprise networks where speed, reliability, and programmability are essential. The Nexus 3000 Series is widely deployed in top-of-rack and aggregation-layer roles, delivering consistent performance for east-west traffic patterns that dominate virtualization, containerized applications, and software-defined infrastructures.

As data center traffic patterns have shifted from north-south to east-west communication, switching platforms like the Cisco N3K-C31108PC-V have become essential. This switch category emphasizes ultra-low latency, wire-speed performance, and deterministic behavior across all ports. The architecture is optimized for environments running virtualization platforms, hyperconverged infrastructure, and distributed storage solutions, where predictable throughput and minimal jitter directly impact application performance.

The Nexus 3000 Series also aligns with Cisco’s broader data center networking strategy, integrating seamlessly with Cisco NX-OS software and advanced automation frameworks. The N3K-C31108PC-V exemplifies this category by combining dense 10 Gigabit connectivity, advanced Layer 3 capabilities, and robust power delivery options within a compact, rack-optimized form factor. These characteristics make it suitable for enterprise data centers, colocation facilities, and service provider environments that demand scalability without sacrificing operational simplicity.

High-Density 10 Gigabit Ethernet Port Configuration

The Cisco N3K-C31108PC-V is defined by its high-density port layout, offering 48 SFP+ ports capable of 10 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity. This port density enables organizations to connect a large number of servers, storage systems, and network appliances within a single rack unit, reducing the need for additional switches and simplifying network topology. The category of 48-port 10GbE SFP+ switches is particularly well-suited for top-of-rack deployments, where maximizing port availability while maintaining low latency is a priority.

SFP+ interfaces provide flexibility in media selection, allowing network architects to deploy fiber or direct-attach copper connections based on distance, cost, and performance requirements. This adaptability is critical in modern data centers where mixed cabling strategies are common. The N3K-C31108PC-V supports consistent line-rate performance across all ports, ensuring that bandwidth-intensive workloads such as database replication, virtual machine migration, and real-time analytics operate without congestion.

The 10 Gigabit Ethernet capability of this switch category also supports seamless integration with existing network infrastructure while providing a clear upgrade path from legacy 1 Gigabit environments. Organizations adopting this class of switch benefit from improved throughput, reduced latency, and enhanced application responsiveness, all of which contribute to higher overall data center efficiency.

Layer 3 Switching and Advanced Routing Capabilities

The Cisco N3K-C31108PC-V Nexus switch category is distinguished by its comprehensive Layer 3 feature set, enabling advanced routing and segmentation directly at the top-of-rack level. This capability allows organizations to distribute routing intelligence closer to the servers, reducing reliance on centralized aggregation layers and minimizing latency. Layer 3 switching at the access layer supports scalable network designs that can accommodate rapid growth and dynamic workload placement.

Advanced routing protocols supported within this category enable robust path selection, fast convergence, and high availability. These features are essential for maintaining application uptime in environments where workloads are frequently moved or scaled. The ability to implement routing at the switch level also simplifies network design by reducing the number of hops traffic must traverse, which in turn improves performance and fault tolerance.

The integration of Layer 3 functionality with high-density 10GbE ports makes the N3K-C31108PC-V suitable for spine-leaf architectures, where predictable latency and non-blocking throughput are critical. This category of switches is commonly deployed as leaf nodes, connecting directly to servers while maintaining full routing awareness within the data center fabric.

Low-Latency Performance for Mission-Critical Applications

One of the defining characteristics of the Cisco Nexus 3000 Series, including the N3K-C31108PC-V, is its focus on ultra-low latency. This category of switches is engineered with cut-through switching and optimized ASICs that minimize packet processing delays. Low latency is essential for applications such as high-frequency trading, real-time analytics, and latency-sensitive microservices, where even microsecond delays can have measurable impact.

Consistent latency across all ports ensures deterministic network behavior, which simplifies capacity planning and performance tuning. The N3K-C31108PC-V delivers predictable performance under varying traffic loads, making it a reliable foundation for data center networks that must support diverse and fluctuating workloads. This reliability is a key reason why this category of switches is favored in performance-driven environments.

The emphasis on low latency also complements modern application architectures that rely on distributed components communicating frequently across the network. By minimizing switching delays, the Cisco Nexus 3000 Series helps maintain application responsiveness and supports the scalability demands of cloud-native platforms.

Power over Ethernet and Operational Flexibility

The Cisco N3K-C31108PC-V model includes power capabilities designed to enhance operational flexibility within the data center. Power over Ethernet support within this category allows the switch to supply power to connected devices such as network appliances, management interfaces, and specialized hardware. This capability reduces the need for separate power infrastructure, simplifying rack design and improving energy efficiency.

Integrated power features also contribute to streamlined deployment and management. By consolidating data and power delivery through the same cabling infrastructure, organizations can reduce installation complexity and improve overall reliability. The N3K-C31108PC-V aligns with data center best practices by supporting redundant power supplies and efficient cooling, ensuring continuous operation even in the event of component failure.

The power design of this category reflects Cisco’s focus on resilience and efficiency. High-efficiency power supplies and intelligent power management features help reduce operational costs while maintaining consistent performance. These characteristics are particularly important in large-scale deployments where energy consumption and thermal management are critical considerations.

Integration with Cisco NX-OS Software

The Cisco N3K-C31108PC-V operates on Cisco NX-OS, a modular, resilient operating system purpose-built for data center environments. This software platform is a defining element of the Nexus switch category, providing advanced features, consistent management interfaces, and high availability. NX-OS supports in-service software upgrades, process isolation, and robust fault management, all of which contribute to improved network uptime.

NX-OS also enables extensive programmability and automation, allowing organizations to integrate the N3K-C31108PC-V into modern DevOps workflows. Support for APIs, scripting, and automation tools simplifies configuration management and accelerates deployment. This is particularly valuable in environments where infrastructure is frequently scaled or reconfigured to meet changing application demands.

The consistency of NX-OS across the Nexus portfolio allows network teams to standardize operations and reduce training requirements. This uniformity enhances operational efficiency and ensures that the N3K-C31108PC-V can be seamlessly integrated into existing Cisco-based data center networks.

Automation, Programmability, and SDN Readiness

The category of Cisco Nexus 3000 Series switches is designed with automation and software-defined networking in mind. The N3K-C31108PC-V supports programmable interfaces that enable dynamic network control and policy-based management. This capability aligns with the growing adoption of SDN architectures, where network behavior is centrally defined and automatically enforced.

Automation reduces manual configuration errors and accelerates provisioning, which is critical in large-scale data centers. The ability to programmatically manage the switch allows organizations to respond quickly to changing workload requirements and optimize network resources in real time. This flexibility is a core advantage of this switch category and a key factor in its widespread adoption.

SDN readiness also ensures that the N3K-C31108PC-V remains relevant as network architectures evolve. By supporting modern control frameworks and integration with orchestration platforms, this category of switches provides a future-proof foundation for data center networking.

Scalability and Spine-Leaf Architecture Support

The Cisco N3K-C31108PC-V Nexus switch category is ideally suited for scalable spine-leaf architectures, which have become the standard design for modern data centers. In this model, switches are deployed as leaf nodes that connect directly to servers, while spine switches provide high-speed interconnectivity between leaves. The uniform latency and high port density of the N3K-C31108PC-V make it an excellent choice for the leaf layer.

Scalability is achieved by adding additional leaf or spine switches without disrupting existing infrastructure. This modular approach allows organizations to expand capacity incrementally, aligning network growth with business requirements. The N3K-C31108PC-V supports this model by delivering consistent performance regardless of scale, ensuring that application performance remains stable as the network grows.

The ability to support large-scale deployments without complex reconfiguration is a defining characteristic of this category. By enabling predictable performance and simplified expansion, the Cisco Nexus 3000 Series helps organizations build agile and resilient data center networks.

Reliability, Redundancy, and High Availability

Reliability is a cornerstone of the Cisco N3K-C31108PC-V switch category. Designed for continuous operation in demanding environments, this switch incorporates redundant components, advanced monitoring, and proactive fault detection. These features ensure that network services remain available even in the face of hardware failures or maintenance activities.

High availability is further enhanced by support for rapid failover mechanisms and resilient routing protocols. These capabilities minimize downtime and protect critical applications from network disruptions. The N3K-C31108PC-V is engineered to meet the stringent uptime requirements of enterprise and service provider data centers.

The focus on reliability extends to the physical design of the switch, which supports efficient airflow, hot-swappable components, and robust construction. These attributes contribute to long-term operational stability and reduced maintenance costs.

Security and Network Segmentation Capabilities

Security is an integral aspect of the Cisco Nexus 3000 Series category. The N3K-C31108PC-V supports advanced network segmentation techniques that help isolate workloads and protect sensitive data. By enabling segmentation at the switch level, organizations can implement security policies closer to the workload, reducing the attack surface.

Layer 3 capabilities also support secure routing and traffic control, ensuring that data flows are properly managed and monitored. Integration with Cisco’s broader security ecosystem allows the N3K-C31108PC-V to participate in comprehensive security strategies that span the entire data center.

The ability to enforce consistent security policies across a scalable network is a key benefit of this switch category. By combining performance, flexibility, and security, the Cisco N3K-C31108PC-V provides a balanced solution for modern data center requirements.

Use Cases Across Enterprise, Cloud, and Service Provider Environments

The Cisco N3K-C31108PC-V Nexus 10 Gigabit 48 Ports SFP+ Layer 3 Switch category is versatile enough to support a wide range of deployment scenarios. In enterprise data centers, it serves as a reliable top-of-rack switch that connects servers, storage, and virtualization platforms with high performance and low latency. Its advanced routing capabilities simplify network design and support scalable growth.

In cloud and colocation environments, the high port density and automation features of this category enable efficient multi-tenant architectures and rapid provisioning. Service providers benefit from the switch’s reliability, security, and scalability, which are essential for delivering consistent services to diverse customers.

Across all these use cases, the Cisco Nexus 3000 Series demonstrates its value as a foundational component of modern data center networking. The N3K-C31108PC-V exemplifies the strengths of this category by delivering performance, flexibility, and operational efficiency in a compact and robust platform.