N77-M312CQ-26L Cisco Nexus 7700 M3 Series 12 Ports Switch

Cisco N77-M312CQ-26L Nexus 7700 M3 Series 12-Port 100G Ethernet Module

Essential Details of the Cisco N77-M312CQ-26L

• Manufacturer: Cisco
• Model Number: N77-M312CQ-26L
• Device Type: High-Performance Switch
• Port Configuration: 12 Ports

Key Features & Benefits

• Supports 12 QSFP ports with 100G Ethernet, also compatible with 40G and 10G breakout configurations
• Delivers a switching capacity of 1.2 Tbps for high-speed data throughput
• Achieves a forwarding rate of 1.8 Bpps for seamless network performance
• Integrated 256-bit AES MACsec encryption on all ports for secure data transmission
• Powered by CISCO NX-OS operating system for advanced network management
• Fully compatible with Nexus 7700 chassis including N77-C7706 and N77-C7710 models

High-Speed Connectivity Options

• 12 QSFP ports ensuring ultra-fast 100G Ethernet connections
• Flexible breakout support for 40G and 10G Ethernet interfaces
• Optimized for large-scale data center deployments

Performance and Reliability

• Switching capacity of 1.2 Tbps supports heavy network workloads
• Forwarding rate of 1.8 Bpps ensures minimal latency
• Robust 256-bit AES MACsec encryption enhances network security

Seamless Integration

• Designed specifically for the Nexus 7700 series chassis
• Compatible with multiple Nexus 7700 models for flexible network expansion
• Easy installation and maintenance in enterprise data centers

Cisco N77-M312CQ-26L Nexus 7700 M3 Series Switch

The Cisco N77-M312CQ-26L Nexus 7700 M3 Series Switch 12 Ports 100G Ethernet Module represents a pinnacle in high-performance networking solutions. Designed for data centers and enterprise networks requiring robust, scalable, and high-speed connectivity, this module integrates seamlessly into the Nexus 7700 M3 chassis, providing unmatched 100 Gigabit Ethernet performance. Engineered for both flexibility and efficiency, the module supports high-density 100G connectivity, enabling modern networks to meet growing bandwidth demands with minimal latency and maximum reliability.

High-Density 100G Ethernet Connectivity

The N77-M312CQ-26L module features 12 ports of 100G Ethernet, optimized for large-scale data center operations. Its high-density configuration allows network administrators to achieve maximum throughput while conserving valuable rack space. Each 100G port supports advanced features such as enhanced QoS, low-latency forwarding, and comprehensive Layer 2 and Layer 3 networking capabilities. This density ensures that enterprises can deploy high-bandwidth applications such as cloud computing, big data analytics, and virtualized workloads without compromising performance.

Port Flexibility and Scalability

This module is designed with flexibility in mind. Each port supports multiple breakout configurations, allowing network architects to split a 100G port into four 25G interfaces when needed. This flexibility ensures the module can adapt to varying network topologies and future growth. Whether scaling vertically within a data center or integrating horizontally across multiple sites, the Cisco N77-M312CQ-26L offers unmatched versatility to meet evolving networking requirements.

Breakout Configurations for Optimized Resource Utilization

The breakout capability of this module enhances the efficiency of data center operations. By enabling each 100G port to split into multiple lower-speed connections, organizations can tailor their network architecture to specific workloads. For example, high-performance computing clusters, storage networks, or virtualized server farms benefit from the ability to precisely allocate bandwidth, reducing underutilization and improving overall system efficiency.

Advanced Networking Features

The Cisco N77-M312CQ-26L supports a comprehensive suite of advanced Layer 2 and Layer 3 features, including VXLAN, OTV, BGP, and EVPN, making it ideal for modern, software-defined data center environments. These features enable seamless integration with existing network infrastructure while providing the agility needed to deploy multi-tenant and hybrid cloud architectures. The module’s support for high-availability protocols, such as VRRP and HSRP, ensures continuous network uptime, even in mission-critical environments.

Optimized for Low Latency and High Throughput

Designed for latency-sensitive applications, the module delivers ultra-low latency switching, making it suitable for financial trading platforms, real-time analytics, and high-performance computing applications. The optimized forwarding path and advanced buffering mechanisms minimize packet loss and jitter, ensuring that data flows reliably across the network with minimal delay.

Quality of Service and Traffic Management

The module incorporates advanced Quality of Service (QoS) capabilities, allowing administrators to prioritize critical traffic and manage bandwidth allocation efficiently. With support for hierarchical QoS policies, traffic shaping, and congestion management, the N77-M312CQ-26L ensures predictable performance for key applications. This is particularly important for environments where latency-sensitive workloads coexist with bulk data transfers or backup operations.

Modular Architecture and Ease of Integration

The N77-M312CQ-26L is part of the modular Nexus 7700 M3 series, designed for high-density data centers and enterprise networks. The module’s plug-and-play design allows for seamless installation and integration into existing chassis without downtime. Its compatibility with other M3 line cards and supervisor engines ensures that organizations can expand or upgrade their network infrastructure without significant disruption.

Hot-Swappable Design for Continuous Operations

One of the key benefits of the Cisco Nexus 7700 M3 series modules is the hot-swappable architecture. The N77-M312CQ-26L can be replaced or added without powering down the chassis, maintaining continuous network operation. This capability is essential for mission-critical environments where downtime can result in significant financial and operational impact.

Enhanced Management and Automation

The module supports Cisco’s suite of management and automation tools, including Cisco NX-OS, Cisco DCNM (Data Center Network Manager), and programmable APIs. These tools provide granular control over network performance, configuration, and monitoring. Automation capabilities allow for rapid deployment, simplified configuration, and consistent policy enforcement across the network, reducing operational complexity and human error.

Energy Efficiency and Reliability

Despite its high-performance capabilities, the Cisco N77-M312CQ-26L is designed with energy efficiency in mind. It features intelligent power management, advanced cooling mechanisms, and optimized thermal design, reducing overall data center power consumption. High reliability and redundant components ensure that the module maintains stable performance even under heavy load, minimizing the risk of network failures.

Redundant and Resilient Design

The module supports redundant power and cooling configurations, contributing to overall system reliability. Its architecture is designed to handle component failures without impacting the performance of the remaining network infrastructure. This redundancy ensures that organizations can maintain high availability and continuous service delivery, meeting the demands of modern data centers and enterprise environments.

Compliance and Environmental Standards

In addition to performance and reliability, the module meets stringent environmental and industry standards. Compliance with RoHS, NEBS, and other regulatory certifications ensures that the module adheres to safety, environmental, and operational guidelines, providing peace of mind for organizations deploying large-scale network infrastructure.

Deployment Scenarios and Use Cases

The Cisco N77-M312CQ-26L module is suitable for a wide range of deployment scenarios. It can be used in core aggregation layers of enterprise networks, spine-leaf architectures in modern data centers, and high-performance interconnects for storage and compute clusters. Its flexibility and scalability make it ideal for enterprises, service providers, and cloud operators who require high throughput, low latency, and reliable connectivity for critical workloads.

Data Center Spine-Leaf Architectures

In spine-leaf network designs, the N77-M312CQ-26L provides high-speed uplinks and dense connectivity, ensuring low-latency communication between leaf switches and server racks. This is crucial for environments running virtualization, cloud services, and distributed applications, where consistent performance and minimal congestion are key requirements.

Enterprise Core and Aggregation Networks

For large enterprise campuses and data centers, the module serves as a high-capacity aggregation switch, connecting multiple access switches and providing high-speed uplinks to core network infrastructure. This configuration supports a broad range of services, including VoIP, video conferencing, collaboration tools, and large-scale file transfers, without compromising network stability or performance.

Technical Specifications and Performance Metrics

The Cisco N77-M312CQ-26L offers impressive technical specifications that ensure superior performance. Each of its 12 ports provides 100G connectivity with advanced support for VXLAN routing, EVPN, and MPLS. The module is capable of forwarding millions of packets per second, with low microsecond-level latency, making it suitable for high-throughput, low-latency applications. It supports comprehensive Layer 2 and Layer 3 protocols, enabling seamless integration into complex network topologies.

Forwarding Capacity and Packet Processing

The module’s forwarding engine is designed to handle large volumes of traffic efficiently. It supports line-rate forwarding, ensuring that all 100G ports can operate at maximum speed simultaneously. Hardware-based packet processing and optimized buffer management contribute to predictable performance under heavy traffic conditions, reducing packet loss and ensuring network stability.

Memory, Buffering, and QoS Capabilities

The Cisco N77-M312CQ-26L incorporates high-capacity memory and buffering capabilities to manage bursts of traffic and maintain low latency. With extensive support for QoS policies, traffic shaping, and congestion management, the module ensures that critical workloads are prioritized, making it ideal for mixed-use environments where latency-sensitive and bulk data traffic coexist.