N9K-C9504-FM-G Cisco Nexus 9500 4-slot Chassis 400g Cloud Scale Fabric Module

Cisco N9K-C9504-FM-G Nexus 9500 Series  

The Cisco N9K-C9504-FM-G is an advanced 4-slot chassis specifically designed for the Nexus 9500 Series, enabling high-density, high-performance networking for modern data centers. This chassis is engineered to meet the growing demands of cloud-scale deployments, offering robust scalability, enhanced resilience, and exceptional throughput. Designed for enterprise-grade and hyperscale environments, the Nexus 9500 chassis integrates seamlessly with Cisco's Cloud Scale technology, allowing organizations to achieve optimal network efficiency and operational agility.

High-Performance Architecture

The N9K-C9504-FM-G chassis features a modular architecture that provides flexibility in network expansion. Its four dedicated slots support various line cards, including 400G fabric modules, ensuring that data center networks can adapt to evolving bandwidth requirements. The chassis supports high-speed uplinks, low-latency switching, and extensive virtualization capabilities, making it suitable for large-scale cloud computing, storage networking, and enterprise applications.

Fabric Module Specifications

The 400G Cloud Scale Fabric Module integrated within the N9K-C9504-FM-G chassis delivers exceptional performance for high-density deployments. This module provides a substantial bandwidth capacity capable of handling massive volumes of data traffic. Its design ensures minimal latency and efficient packet forwarding across the data center fabric. The fabric module is fully compatible with Cisco's NX-OS operating system, providing comprehensive programmability and automation features for optimized network management.

Redundancy and Reliability Features

Cisco’s Nexus 9500 chassis emphasizes system resiliency and fault tolerance. The N9K-C9504-FM-G is equipped with redundant power supplies and cooling fans to ensure uninterrupted operation. Additionally, the fabric module supports seamless failover mechanisms, enabling continuous network services even during component failures. These reliability features are critical for mission-critical environments where downtime must be minimized.

Scalability and Cloud-Scale Networking

The Nexus 9500 platform is designed to accommodate future network growth without compromising performance. With its modular slots and high-speed fabric modules, the N9K-C9504-FM-G chassis allows administrators to scale network capacity incrementally. This cloud-scale architecture supports advanced features such as VXLAN, EVPN, and software-defined networking integrations, facilitating efficient multi-tenant deployments and enabling large-scale data center operations.

Integration with Cisco NX-OS and Automation

The N9K-C9504-FM-G chassis operates on Cisco's NX-OS software, which offers a robust and programmable platform for network management. NX-OS provides automation capabilities, including policy-based provisioning, automated failover, and telemetry monitoring. Network administrators can leverage APIs and scripting to reduce operational complexity, accelerate deployment, and enhance network reliability across complex environments.

Advanced Security Capabilities

Security is integral to the Nexus 9500 series. The N9K-C9504-FM-G chassis supports advanced features such as segmentation, access control policies, and threat mitigation. By integrating hardware-assisted security and network visibility tools, the chassis ensures protection against unauthorized access and potential data breaches. These features are crucial for organizations operating in regulated industries or requiring strict compliance standards.

Energy Efficiency and Environmental Design

Cisco has optimized the N9K-C9504-FM-G chassis for energy efficiency and sustainable operation. The chassis utilizes high-efficiency power supplies and intelligent cooling mechanisms, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining optimal thermal performance. This environmentally conscious design not only lowers operational costs but also aligns with green data center initiatives, promoting sustainability in enterprise and cloud networks.

Deployment Use Cases

The Cisco N9K-C9504-FM-G chassis is suitable for multiple deployment scenarios, including hyperscale data centers, enterprise core networks, and service provider infrastructures. Its high-bandwidth fabric modules enable fast east-west traffic movement within large-scale environments. The modularity and programmability of the chassis make it an ideal choice for organizations looking to implement automation-driven data centers, software-defined networking, and converged networking architectures.

Network Virtualization and VXLAN Support

With VXLAN and EVPN capabilities, the N9K-C9504-FM-G chassis provides flexible network virtualization solutions. These features allow network architects to design overlay networks that support multi-tenant environments while maintaining isolation and high performance. VXLAN integration also simplifies large-scale network segmentation and enables efficient traffic engineering, making the chassis well-suited for cloud service providers and enterprise campuses requiring seamless connectivity across multiple data centers.

Operational Management and Monitoring

The chassis offers extensive monitoring tools, including telemetry streaming, real-time performance metrics, and analytics dashboards. Administrators can track interface utilization, detect anomalies, and perform predictive maintenance using integrated monitoring capabilities. These operational tools help reduce network downtime, optimize resource utilization, and support proactive network management strategies.

Compatibility and Ecosystem Integration

Cisco N9K-C9504-FM-G is designed for full interoperability within the Cisco Nexus ecosystem. It integrates seamlessly with other Nexus 9000 series switches, Cisco Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI), and third-party management platforms. This ensures consistent network policies, simplified orchestration, and end-to-end visibility across hybrid cloud environments, enabling organizations to achieve a unified and streamlined network architecture.

Future-Proofing and Investment Protection

The modular design of the N9K-C9504-FM-G ensures that organizations can future-proof their network investments. The chassis supports high-density line cards and evolving interface standards, enabling seamless upgrades without major overhauls. This investment protection is particularly important in rapidly evolving technological landscapes, where network scalability, adaptability, and efficiency are paramount to business continuity and competitive advantage.