N3K-C3048-FA-L3 Cisco Nexus 3048 Standard Airflow 48 Ports Managed Switch

Cisco Nexus 3048 Managed Switch Overview

The Cisco N3K-C3048-FA-L3 Nexus 3048 is engineered for high-density networking environments that require consistent throughput, intelligent traffic control, and enterprise-grade reliability. Designed with a fixed configuration and optimized airflow, this switch delivers efficient performance for modern data center and enterprise deployments.

Manufacturer and Product Identification

• Brand: Cisco
• Part Number or SKU: N3K-C3048-FA-L3
• Model Series: Nexus 3000
• Device Category: Managed Network Switch
• Port Configuration: 48 Ethernet Ports

Interface and Port Configuration

Ethernet Connectivity

• Total available network ports: 48
• Port type: Gigabit Ethernet interfaces
• Designed for low-latency server and access-layer connectivity

High-Speed Uplink Options

• Dedicated uplink support for scalable networking
• 4 integrated 10 Gigabit Ethernet uplink ports
• Optimized for fast data aggregation and backbone connections

Media Compatibility and Network Performance

Supported Transmission Media

• Twisted pair cabling support for copper-based deployments
• Compatibility with both standard and high-speed Ethernet technologies

Ethernet Standards

• 10/100/1000Base-T for flexible device connectivity
• 10GBase-X for high-bandwidth uplink requirements

Expansion Capabilities

SFP+ Slot Availability

• Total expansion slots: 4
• Slot format: SFP+
• Each slot dedicated for uplink use
• No shared expansion ports for consistent bandwidth

Layer 3 Networking and Management

Advanced Network Communication

• Layer 3 routing support for intelligent traffic management
• Ideal for environments requiring segmentation and routing efficiency

Administrative Control

• Fully manageable switch architecture
• Enables centralized configuration, monitoring, and optimization

Power and Redundancy Features

Power Supply Design

• Primary power source: Internal power supply
• Support for redundant power to enhance uptime
• Designed to reduce operational risk in critical networks

Physical Design and Installation

Rack-Mount Specifications

• Rack unit height: 1U
• Form factor: Rack-mountable chassis
• Suitable for standard data center racks

Dimensions and Weight

• Height: 1.7 inches
• Width: 17.3 inches
• Depth: 19.7 inches
• Approximate weight: 20.50 pounds

Environmental and Compliance Attributes

Sustainability Standards

• Environmentally responsible design
• Compliance with RoHS-5 environmental certification
• Supports eco-conscious IT infrastructure initiatives

Enterprise-Grade Data Center Switching Built for High-Performance Networks

The Cisco N3K-C3048-FA-L3 Nexus 3048 Standard Airflow 48 Ports Managed Switch represents a critical category within modern data center and enterprise networking infrastructure, specifically designed to support low-latency, high-throughput, and highly scalable Ethernet switching environments. This category focuses on compact yet powerful top-of-rack switching solutions that seamlessly integrate into high-density data centers, cloud architectures, and mission-critical enterprise networks. The Nexus 3000 Series, and particularly the Nexus 3048 platform, is engineered to deliver deterministic performance, advanced Layer 2 and Layer 3 capabilities, and robust operational reliability required for today’s demanding workloads.

As data centers evolve to support virtualization, containerized applications, software-defined networking, and real-time analytics, the role of a high-performance managed switch becomes increasingly significant. The Cisco N3K-C3048-FA-L3 falls squarely into this category by offering a blend of hardware-based switching efficiency and software-driven intelligence. Its standard airflow design, front-to-back cooling architecture, and compact form factor make it ideal for hot-aisle and cold-aisle data center layouts, ensuring optimal thermal management while maintaining consistent network uptime.

Architectural Design and Hardware Capabilities

The hardware architecture of the Cisco Nexus 3048 switch category is optimized for ultra-low latency and predictable performance. This category emphasizes non-blocking switch fabrics, wire-speed forwarding, and deep buffering capabilities that allow enterprise and data center networks to handle bursty traffic patterns without packet loss. The Cisco N3K-C3048-FA-L3 model, with its 48 high-speed Ethernet ports, is designed to serve as a top-of-rack aggregation point for servers, storage devices, and hyper-converged infrastructure.

The physical construction of switches in this category prioritizes durability, efficient power usage, and simplified cabling. High-density port configurations reduce the overall rack footprint, enabling organizations to maximize available rack space while maintaining clean cable management. Standard airflow variants like the FA model are specifically tailored to align with established data center cooling strategies, ensuring consistent thermal performance even under sustained workloads.

High-Density Port Configuration for Scalable Networks

One of the defining characteristics of this switch category is the emphasis on high port density within a compact chassis. The Cisco Nexus 3048 platform delivers 48 Ethernet ports that support high-speed connectivity, making it suitable for dense server environments where multiple physical or virtual machines require simultaneous access to the network. This density allows organizations to scale horizontally without introducing excessive additional hardware, reducing both capital expenditure and operational complexity.

In environments where east-west traffic dominates, such as virtualized data centers and private cloud deployments, high-density top-of-rack switches play a critical role in maintaining low latency and high throughput. The Nexus 3048 category addresses this requirement by ensuring that each port can operate at full line rate, even when all ports are active concurrently.

Low-Latency Switching for Performance-Critical Applications

Low latency is a core requirement for many modern applications, including financial trading platforms, real-time analytics, distributed databases, and storage networking. Switches in the Cisco Nexus 3048 category are engineered to minimize forwarding delays, enabling near real-time data transmission across the network fabric. The hardware-based forwarding architecture ensures that packets are processed efficiently, reducing jitter and maintaining consistent performance.

This focus on latency performance makes the category particularly suitable for environments where microseconds matter. By combining deterministic forwarding behavior with advanced traffic management capabilities, the Cisco N3K-C3048-FA-L3 supports workloads that demand both speed and reliability.

Advanced Layer 2 and Layer 3 Functionality

The Cisco Nexus 3048 switch category is distinguished by its comprehensive support for both Layer 2 and Layer 3 networking features. This dual capability allows organizations to deploy these switches in a wide range of network topologies, from simple access-layer deployments to more complex routed spine-and-leaf architectures. The N3K-C3048-FA-L3 model, in particular, provides robust Layer 3 functionality that enables efficient routing, segmentation, and traffic optimization within the data center.

Layer 2 features such as VLAN segmentation, trunking, and loop prevention mechanisms ensure stable and secure network operations. At the same time, Layer 3 features including static routing, dynamic routing protocols, and IP-based forwarding enable scalable and resilient network designs that can adapt to changing traffic patterns and application requirements.

Support for Modern Data Center Topologies

Switches in this category are well-suited for modern spine-and-leaf architectures, which have become the de facto standard for scalable data center networking. In these designs, top-of-rack switches like the Cisco Nexus 3048 serve as leaf nodes, providing direct connectivity to servers while maintaining high-speed uplinks to spine switches. This architecture minimizes latency, simplifies network design, and ensures consistent performance as the data center grows.

The Cisco N3K-C3048-FA-L3 enables seamless integration into such architectures by supporting advanced routing and forwarding features that facilitate efficient traffic distribution across the network fabric. This flexibility allows organizations to build networks that can scale linearly without sacrificing performance or reliability.

Network Segmentation and Traffic Isolation

Effective network segmentation is essential for maintaining security, performance, and manageability in complex environments. The Nexus 3048 switch category supports multiple mechanisms for isolating traffic, including VLANs and Layer 3 routing boundaries. These capabilities allow administrators to logically separate different applications, tenants, or departments while using a shared physical infrastructure.

By enabling granular control over traffic flows, switches in this category help reduce the risk of broadcast storms, limit the impact of potential security incidents, and ensure predictable performance for critical workloads. This makes the Cisco N3K-C3048-FA-L3 a valuable component in multi-tenant data centers and enterprise networks with diverse application requirements.

Operational Efficiency and Network Management

Operational efficiency is a key consideration in the design of the Cisco Nexus 3048 switch category. These switches are built to simplify deployment, configuration, and ongoing management, reducing the administrative burden on IT teams. Central to this efficiency is the use of Cisco NX-OS, a purpose-built network operating system that provides a consistent and feature-rich management experience across the Nexus portfolio.

NX-OS offers a modular architecture, high availability features, and a familiar command-line interface that enables network administrators to manage switches effectively. Automation support and programmability further enhance operational efficiency by enabling repeatable configurations and reducing the likelihood of human error.

Automation and Programmability Capabilities

As networks become more dynamic, the ability to automate configuration and management tasks becomes increasingly important. Switches in the Cisco Nexus 3048 category support a range of automation and programmability features that allow organizations to integrate network operations with modern DevOps workflows. These capabilities enable faster provisioning, consistent policy enforcement, and improved responsiveness to changing business needs.

Through programmable interfaces and scripting support, administrators can automate routine tasks such as port configuration, VLAN assignment, and routing updates. This reduces manual effort, accelerates deployment timelines, and enhances overall network reliability.

High Availability and Resilience

Network downtime can have significant operational and financial consequences, making high availability a critical requirement for enterprise and data center switches. The Cisco Nexus 3048 category incorporates features designed to ensure continuous operation, even in the face of hardware or software failures. Redundant power supplies, robust error detection mechanisms, and fast convergence protocols all contribute to improved network resilience.

The N3K-C3048-FA-L3 is engineered to support nonstop forwarding and rapid failover, minimizing disruption to applications and users. This focus on resilience makes the category well-suited for environments where uptime is paramount.

Energy Efficiency and Thermal Management

Energy efficiency and effective thermal management are increasingly important considerations in data center design. Switches in the Cisco Nexus 3048 category are optimized to deliver high performance while minimizing power consumption. Efficient power supplies, intelligent cooling mechanisms, and optimized airflow patterns all contribute to reduced energy usage and lower operating costs.

The standard airflow design of the FA model ensures compatibility with common data center cooling strategies, allowing hot air to be expelled efficiently while cool air is drawn in from the appropriate direction. This alignment with established airflow patterns simplifies deployment and helps maintain stable operating temperatures.

Optimized Power Utilization for Dense Deployments

In high-density environments where multiple switches are deployed within a single rack, efficient power utilization becomes essential. The Cisco Nexus 3048 switch category is designed to deliver consistent performance without excessive power draw, enabling organizations to deploy more capacity within existing power and cooling constraints.

This efficiency not only reduces operational costs but also supports sustainability initiatives by lowering the overall energy footprint of the data center.

Use Cases Across Enterprise and Data Center Environments

The versatility of the Cisco Nexus 3048 switch category makes it suitable for a wide range of use cases across enterprise and data center environments. From private cloud infrastructures and virtualized server farms to high-performance computing clusters and storage networks, these switches provide the connectivity and performance required to support diverse workloads.

The Cisco N3K-C3048-FA-L3 is particularly well-suited for top-of-rack deployments, where it can aggregate server connections and provide high-speed uplinks to the rest of the network. Its combination of port density, low latency, and advanced features enables organizations to build networks that are both scalable and future-ready.

Support for Virtualization and Cloud Workloads

Virtualized and cloud-based environments generate significant east-west traffic, placing high demands on the network infrastructure. Switches in this category are designed to handle these traffic patterns efficiently, ensuring that virtual machines and containers can communicate seamlessly across the network.

The Nexus 3048 category supports the high bandwidth and low latency requirements of modern cloud workloads, making it an integral component of private and hybrid cloud deployments.

Integration with Storage and High-Performance Computing

In storage networks and high-performance computing environments, consistent low latency and high throughput are essential. The Cisco Nexus 3048 switch category provides the performance characteristics needed to support storage protocols and compute-intensive applications, ensuring that data can be accessed and processed without bottlenecks.

This capability makes the Cisco N3K-C3048-FA-L3 a valuable asset in environments where network performance directly impacts application efficiency and user experience.