N3K-C3064-T-FA-L3 Cisco Nexus 3064-T 48 Ports Managed Switch

Cisco Nexus 3064-T Managed Switch Overview

The Cisco N3K-C3064-T-FA-L3 Nexus 3064-T is a high-density, enterprise-grade managed switch engineered for modern data center environments. Designed to deliver reliable Layer 3 networking with 10 Gigabit Ethernet performance, this switch supports demanding workloads that require speed, stability, and advanced traffic control.

Manufacturer and Product Identification

• Brand: Cisco
• Model Series: Nexus 3000
• SKU / Part Number: N3K-C3064-T-FA-L3
• Device Category: Managed Network Switch
• Port Configuration: 48-Port Switch

Port Configuration and Connectivity

Network Interface Details

• Total Ethernet Interfaces: 48 RJ-45 ports
• Ethernet Standard: 10 Gigabit Ethernet
• Network Technology: 10GBase-T
• Twisted Pair Cabling Support
• Dedicated Management Port Included
• Integrated USB Port for system utilities

Unsupported Port Features

• No Token Ring connectivity
• No LRE or bypass ports
• Non-modular chassis design
• No stack port functionality

Media Support and Performance Capabilities

Optimized for High-Speed Data Transmission

This Nexus 3064-T switch is built to handle low-latency, high-throughput networking using copper-based 10GBase-T connections. It is well-suited for server aggregation, virtualization platforms, and high-performance computing environments.

Expansion and Uplink Options

QSFP+ Expansion Slots

• Total Expansion Slots: 4
• Slot Format: QSFP+
• Ideal for high-bandwidth uplinks and inter-switch connectivity
• No shared SFP slot configuration

Layer 3 Switching and Routing Features

Advanced Network Layer Support

Operating at Layer 3 of the OSI model, this Cisco Nexus switch enables intelligent routing, traffic segmentation, and efficient data forwarding. It supports scalable network architectures that demand both switching and routing within a single platform.

Benefits of Layer 3 Functionality

• Improved network efficiency
• Enhanced traffic management
• Reduced latency for inter-VLAN communication

Memory and System Resources

Flash Storage Capacity

• Flash Memory Size: 2 GB
• Supports firmware, configuration files, and system processes

Power Supply and Electrical Specifications

Power Input and Redundancy

• Input Voltage Options: 110V AC / 220V AC
• Primary Power Source: Internal Power Supply
• Redundant Power Supply: Supported for high availability
• No Power over Ethernet (PoE) on RJ-45 ports

Cisco Nexus 3000 Series Data Center Switching Architecture

The Cisco N3K-C3064-T-FA-L3 Nexus 3064-T managed switch belongs to the highly regarded Cisco Nexus 3000 Series, a category specifically engineered for modern data center access and aggregation layers that demand predictable low latency, high port density, and consistent performance under heavy workloads. This category of switches is widely deployed in enterprise data centers, private cloud environments, and service provider infrastructures where east-west traffic patterns dominate and application responsiveness is critical. The Nexus 3064-T represents a fixed-configuration, top-of-rack switching solution designed to deliver wire-speed performance across all ports while maintaining operational simplicity and advanced Layer 3 functionality.

Within this category, Cisco Nexus 3000 Series switches are known for combining hardware-based forwarding with an efficient operating system that supports advanced routing, switching, and automation features. The N3K-C3064-T-FA-L3 model specifically targets environments that rely on 10GBASE-T copper connectivity, offering flexibility for organizations transitioning from traditional copper-based server connections to more advanced data center architectures without immediately replacing existing cabling infrastructure. This makes the category particularly relevant for enterprises seeking incremental modernization while maintaining cost efficiency.

48-Port 10GBASE-T Connectivity and High-Density Design

The Cisco N3K-C3064-T-FA-L3 Nexus 3064-T managed switch category emphasizes high-density port configurations optimized for top-of-rack deployments. With forty-eight 10GBASE-T Ethernet ports, this category enables direct connectivity to a large number of servers, storage nodes, and network appliances using standard RJ-45 cabling. This density supports consolidation of network layers, reducing the number of required switches and simplifying cable management within racks.

10GBASE-T technology within this category supports backward compatibility with 1000BASE-T, allowing mixed-speed environments during migration phases. This capability is especially valuable in data centers where legacy systems coexist with newer high-performance servers. The ability to auto-negotiate speeds ensures seamless integration and reduces operational complexity. The Nexus 3064-T category is therefore well suited for hybrid infrastructures that prioritize flexibility without sacrificing performance.

Optimized for Top-of-Rack and End-of-Row Deployments

The form factor and port layout of the Cisco N3K-C3064-T-FA-L3 category are optimized for both top-of-rack and end-of-row designs. In top-of-rack deployments, the high port density minimizes the need for additional aggregation switches, enabling a flatter network topology that reduces latency and simplifies traffic flows. End-of-row scenarios also benefit from the switch’s ability to handle large numbers of server connections while maintaining consistent performance across all ports.

By supporting line-rate throughput on every port, this category ensures that bandwidth-intensive applications such as virtualization platforms, big data analytics, and real-time processing systems can operate without congestion. This capability aligns with modern data center design principles that emphasize predictable performance and scalable growth.

Layer 3 Capabilities and Advanced Routing Support

The Cisco N3K-C3064-T-FA-L3 Nexus 3064-T category stands out for its robust Layer 3 feature set, making it suitable not only for access-layer switching but also for routing-intensive environments. Full Layer 3 support enables the switch to participate in complex routing topologies, reducing reliance on external routers and improving overall network efficiency. This category supports dynamic routing protocols that are essential for scalable and resilient data center architectures.

Advanced routing features allow organizations to implement segmentation, traffic engineering, and optimized path selection directly at the access layer. This approach reduces latency by minimizing hops and enhances fault tolerance by enabling faster convergence during link or node failures. The Layer 3 functionality of this category aligns with spine-leaf architectures commonly used in modern data centers, where each leaf switch plays an active role in routing traffic.

Support for Modern Data Center Routing Protocols

Within this category, the Cisco Nexus 3064-T supports widely adopted routing protocols that enable seamless integration into existing network designs. These protocols facilitate scalable IP fabrics and allow the switch to exchange routing information efficiently with other devices in the network. The ability to support equal-cost multipathing ensures optimal utilization of available links and contributes to consistent application performance.

For organizations building highly available infrastructures, this routing capability allows rapid adaptation to topology changes. The category is therefore well suited for environments that demand high uptime, predictable failover behavior, and simplified network management.

Cisco NX-OS Software and Operational Consistency

The Cisco N3K-C3064-T-FA-L3 Nexus 3064-T category operates on Cisco NX-OS, a purpose-built operating system designed specifically for data center switching. NX-OS provides a consistent command-line interface and feature set across the Nexus family, enabling network administrators to manage large-scale deployments more efficiently. This consistency reduces training requirements and minimizes the risk of configuration errors.

NX-OS is engineered for high availability, offering features such as process-level restart, stateful switchover support, and robust fault isolation. These characteristics ensure that control plane issues do not disrupt data plane forwarding, which is critical in environments where downtime can have significant financial and operational impacts. The stability of NX-OS is a defining characteristic of this category, reinforcing its suitability for mission-critical deployments.

Automation and Programmability Capabilities

The Nexus 3064-T category benefits from the programmability features inherent in NX-OS, enabling integration with automation frameworks and orchestration tools. Support for APIs and scripting allows network teams to automate repetitive tasks, accelerate provisioning, and maintain configuration consistency across multiple switches. This level of automation is increasingly important as data center environments grow in scale and complexity.

By enabling programmatic access to configuration and operational data, this category supports modern DevOps and NetOps practices. Organizations can align network operations more closely with application deployment cycles, reducing time to market and improving overall agility.

Low Latency Performance and High Throughput Architecture

Low latency is a defining attribute of the Cisco N3K-C3064-T-FA-L3 Nexus 3064-T category. The hardware architecture is optimized to deliver consistent, deterministic latency across all ports, even under heavy load. This performance characteristic is essential for applications such as high-frequency trading, real-time analytics, and distributed databases, where microsecond-level delays can impact outcomes.

The switch category supports wire-speed forwarding on all ports simultaneously, ensuring that traffic flows are not bottlenecked by internal switching fabrics. This design enables predictable performance and simplifies capacity planning, as administrators can rely on advertised throughput capabilities without concern for oversubscription within the switch.

Hardware-Based Forwarding and Buffer Management

Hardware-based forwarding within this category ensures that packets are processed efficiently, minimizing latency and jitter. Advanced buffer management techniques help absorb traffic bursts, reducing packet loss during transient congestion events. This capability is particularly important in virtualized environments where traffic patterns can be highly dynamic.

The combination of low latency and intelligent buffering makes the Nexus 3064-T category suitable for both compute-heavy and storage-heavy workloads. Applications that rely on consistent network performance benefit from the predictable behavior of this switching platform.

Data Center Fabric Integration and Scalability

The Cisco N3K-C3064-T-FA-L3 Nexus 3064-T category is designed to integrate seamlessly into scalable data center fabrics. It supports architectures that emphasize horizontal scaling, allowing organizations to add capacity incrementally without redesigning the entire network. This scalability is a key consideration for enterprises experiencing rapid growth or fluctuating demand.

By participating as a leaf node in a spine-leaf topology, this category contributes to uniform latency and simplified routing. Each switch can communicate with multiple spine switches, ensuring redundancy and high availability. This approach aligns with best practices for modern data center design and supports efficient east-west traffic flows.

Support for Virtualization and Cloud Workloads

Virtualized environments generate large volumes of east-west traffic as virtual machines and containers communicate with each other. The Nexus 3064-T category is optimized to handle these traffic patterns, providing the bandwidth and low latency required for efficient virtualization. This makes it an ideal choice for private cloud deployments and hybrid cloud architectures.

The switch category also supports features that enhance visibility into virtualized traffic, enabling administrators to monitor performance and troubleshoot issues more effectively. This visibility is critical in complex environments where multiple layers of abstraction can obscure network behavior.

Reliability, Redundancy, and Data Center Resilience

Reliability is a cornerstone of the Cisco N3K-C3064-T-FA-L3 Nexus 3064-T category. The hardware design emphasizes component redundancy and high-quality materials to ensure long-term durability. Features such as redundant power supplies and efficient cooling mechanisms contribute to consistent operation under demanding conditions.

This category is built to operate continuously in data center environments where uptime is paramount. The combination of hardware resilience and software stability ensures that the switch can support critical workloads without interruption.

Fault Tolerance and High Availability Features

High availability features within this category enable rapid recovery from failures, minimizing the impact on applications and users. The ability to isolate faults and restart individual processes without rebooting the entire system enhances overall resilience. This approach reduces maintenance windows and supports non-disruptive upgrades.

For organizations with strict service level agreements, these high availability characteristics make the Nexus 3064-T category a reliable foundation for mission-critical network infrastructure.

Energy Efficiency and Data Center Optimization

The Cisco Nexus 3064-T category incorporates energy-efficient design principles that help reduce operational costs in data center environments. Efficient power utilization and optimized airflow contribute to lower cooling requirements, which is a significant factor in overall data center energy consumption.

By delivering high performance per watt, this category supports sustainability initiatives while maintaining the performance required for demanding workloads. This balance between efficiency and capability is increasingly important as organizations seek to optimize both cost and environmental impact.

Thermal Design and Airflow Management

Effective thermal management ensures that the switch operates within optimal temperature ranges, even under heavy load. The airflow design supports deployment in standard data center racks, integrating seamlessly with existing cooling strategies. This attention to thermal efficiency contributes to long-term reliability and consistent performance.

The Nexus 3064-T category’s thermal characteristics make it suitable for high-density deployments where efficient heat dissipation is essential.

Use Cases Across Enterprise and Service Provider Environments

The Cisco N3K-C3064-T-FA-L3 Nexus 3064-T category is versatile enough to support a wide range of use cases. Enterprises deploy this category in private data centers to support virtualization, enterprise applications, and internal cloud platforms. Service providers leverage its performance and scalability to deliver reliable services to customers.

Educational institutions, research organizations, and financial services firms also benefit from the low latency and high throughput characteristics of this category. The ability to support diverse workloads makes it a flexible choice for organizations with evolving requirements.

Long-Term Value and Investment Protection

By supporting advanced features and scalable architectures, the Nexus 3064-T category offers long-term value and investment protection. Organizations can deploy the switch as part of a modern data center fabric and continue to leverage it as requirements grow. This longevity reduces the need for frequent hardware refreshes and supports sustainable infrastructure planning.

The combination of robust hardware, advanced software, and flexible deployment options ensures that this category remains relevant as networking technologies and application demands continue to evolve.