N9K-C93180YC-FX3= Cisco Nexus 48 Ports Ethernet Switch

Cisco N9K-C93180YC-FX3= 24 Ports Switch Overview

Experience advanced network performance with the Cisco N9K-C93180YC-FX3, a high-capacity 48-port managed switch designed for modern data centers and enterprise networks. Built for reliability, scalability, and efficient management, this switch delivers unmatched connectivity and bandwidth optimization.

Key Features of Cisco N9K-C93180YC-FX3=

• Manufacturer: Cisco
• Model Number: N9K-C93180YC-FX3=
• Device Type: Managed Switch
• Port Configuration: 48 Ports
• Deployment: Rack-mountable
• Ethernet Speed: 25 Gigabit capable

Performance and Capacity

• Total Bandwidth: 3.6 Tbps for high-speed data transfers
• Routing Protocols Supported: OSPF, RIP-2, BGP, EIGRP, HSRP, PIM-SM, PIM-SSM, MSDP, ECMP, MPLS, RSVP
• Standards Compliance: IEEE 802.1ae, ITU-T G.8275.1 for secure and reliable networking

Ports & Interfaces

• 48 x 1/10/25G SFP+ for flexible connectivity
• 6 x 40/100G QSFP28 high-speed uplinks
• Management Interfaces: 1 x RJ-45 Management, 1 x USB, 1 x TOD RJ-45, 1 x Serial RS-232

Power & Redundancy

• Internal Hot-plug Power Supply with maximum of 2 units supported
• Optional N+1 Power Redundancy Scheme for uninterrupted operations
• Operational Power Consumption: 375 Watts

Cisco Nexus 93180YC-FX3 Managed Data Center Switching Platform

The Cisco N9K-C93180YC-FX3= Nexus 93180YC-FX3 managed switch category represents a modern, high-density, low-latency data center switching solution engineered for enterprise, cloud, and service provider environments that demand extreme performance, scalability, and operational efficiency. This category focuses on fixed-form-factor Layer 2 and Layer 3 switches that are optimized for leaf-layer deployments within spine-and-leaf architectures, supporting high-speed Ethernet connectivity while maintaining flexible port configurations and advanced network services. Designed as part of the Cisco Nexus 9000 Series, the 93180YC-FX3 platform delivers an optimal balance between cost efficiency, port density, and software-defined networking readiness, making it a cornerstone for next-generation data center networks.

Positioning Within the Cisco Nexus 9000 Series

The Cisco Nexus 93180YC-FX3 switch category is strategically positioned within the broader Nexus 9000 portfolio, which is widely recognized for its ability to unify traditional data center networking with cloud-scale design principles. This category emphasizes high-performance fixed switches that can operate in both classic NX-OS mode and Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI) mode, allowing organizations to align their networking strategy with current operational requirements while retaining the flexibility to evolve toward intent-based networking. The FX3 generation builds upon the proven FX and FX2 platforms, offering enhanced forwarding capacity, increased buffer space, and support for newer transceivers and cable technologies.

Port Configuration and High-Speed Connectivity Capabilities

The Cisco Nexus 93180YC-FX3 category is defined by its versatile port configuration, delivering forty-eight downlink ports that support 1 Gigabit, 10 Gigabit, and 25 Gigabit Ethernet speeds, along with multiple uplink ports capable of 40 Gigabit and 100 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity. This flexible port design enables organizations to consolidate multiple network tiers, reduce hardware sprawl, and adapt to diverse workload requirements without sacrificing performance or scalability. The ability to support mixed-speed environments makes this category particularly valuable for enterprises transitioning from legacy 10GbE infrastructures to higher-speed 25GbE and 100GbE architectures.

Downlink Port Flexibility for Server and Storage Connectivity

The forty-eight downlink ports in the Cisco N9K-C93180YC-FX3= managed switch category are engineered to provide exceptional flexibility for connecting servers, hyperconverged infrastructure nodes, and storage arrays. These ports support multiple Ethernet speeds through the use of appropriate optics or direct-attach cables, enabling seamless integration with existing hardware while preparing the network for future upgrades. This adaptability reduces the need for forklift upgrades and allows IT teams to incrementally modernize their data center infrastructure, optimizing capital expenditure while maintaining consistent network performance.

Uplink Scalability for Spine Connectivity and Interconnects

In addition to its high-density downlinks, the Cisco Nexus 93180YC-FX3 category includes high-speed uplink ports that are optimized for spine connectivity, data center interconnects, and aggregation use cases. These uplinks support 40GbE and 100GbE speeds, enabling the switch to function as a high-performance leaf node within a spine-and-leaf fabric. This design ensures predictable low latency, non-blocking throughput, and efficient east-west traffic flows, which are critical for modern applications such as distributed databases, virtualization platforms, and containerized workloads.

Advanced Switching Performance and Low-Latency Architecture

Switches within the Cisco Nexus 93180YC-FX3 category are built on a high-performance switching ASIC architecture that delivers exceptional throughput and ultra-low latency. This architecture is designed to handle high traffic volumes with minimal packet loss, ensuring consistent application performance even under peak load conditions. The non-blocking fabric and deep buffering capabilities allow the switch to accommodate bursty traffic patterns commonly found in virtualized and cloud-native environments, making it suitable for mission-critical workloads that demand deterministic network behavior.

Optimized for East-West Traffic Patterns

Modern data centers are increasingly characterized by east-west traffic, driven by microservices, virtualization, and distributed application architectures. The Cisco N9K-C93180YC-FX3= managed switch category is optimized to handle these traffic patterns efficiently, providing high-speed, low-latency connectivity between servers and application tiers. This optimization helps reduce application response times, improve overall system efficiency, and support real-time analytics and high-performance computing workloads that are sensitive to network delays.

Consistent Latency Across Port Speeds

An important attribute of this category is its ability to deliver consistent latency across different port speeds and traffic types. Whether operating at 10GbE, 25GbE, or 100GbE, the switch maintains predictable forwarding performance, which is essential for maintaining service-level agreements and ensuring reliable application behavior. This consistency simplifies network design and troubleshooting, as administrators can rely on uniform performance characteristics throughout the fabric.

Layer 2 and Layer 3 Feature Richness

The Cisco Nexus 93180YC-FX3 category supports a comprehensive set of Layer 2 and Layer 3 features that enable advanced network designs and robust traffic management. These switches provide support for VLANs, VXLAN, EVPN, routing protocols, multicast, and quality of service mechanisms, allowing organizations to build scalable and resilient network fabrics. The rich feature set ensures compatibility with both traditional enterprise networking models and modern overlay-based architectures used in cloud and software-defined environments.

VXLAN and EVPN for Scalable Network Virtualization

Network virtualization is a core capability of the Cisco N9K-C93180YC-FX3= managed switch category, with built-in support for VXLAN and EVPN technologies. These features enable the creation of large-scale, multi-tenant networks that can span across data centers while maintaining logical isolation and consistent policy enforcement. VXLAN provides the overlay encapsulation required for scalable Layer 2 extension, while EVPN delivers efficient control-plane signaling and enhanced multi-homing capabilities.

Seamless Integration with Modern Data Center Designs

By supporting VXLAN and EVPN natively in hardware, this category allows organizations to implement modern data center designs without compromising performance. The hardware-based encapsulation and decapsulation processes ensure that overlay networks operate at line rate, minimizing overhead and preserving low latency. This capability is especially valuable for environments that rely on automation, orchestration, and dynamic workload mobility.

Software Flexibility and Operating Mode Options

The Cisco Nexus 93180YC-FX3 category offers exceptional software flexibility, allowing switches to operate in either standalone NX-OS mode or Cisco ACI mode. This dual-mode capability enables organizations to choose the operational model that best aligns with their network management strategy, whether it involves traditional CLI-based configuration or policy-driven automation through an ACI fabric. The ability to switch between modes protects long-term investment and supports evolving business requirements.

NX-OS Mode for Traditional and Hybrid Environments

In NX-OS mode, switches in this category function as highly capable standalone devices that integrate seamlessly with existing network infrastructures. Administrators can leverage familiar command-line interfaces, advanced scripting, and automation tools to configure and manage the network. This mode is ideal for organizations that require granular control over network behavior or that operate hybrid environments combining legacy and modern technologies.

ACI Mode for Intent-Based Networking

When deployed in ACI mode, the Cisco N9K-C93180YC-FX3= managed switch category becomes an integral part of an application-centric fabric that simplifies network operations through centralized policy management. ACI enables consistent policy enforcement across the data center, reduces configuration errors, and accelerates application deployment. This mode is particularly beneficial for large-scale environments where automation, visibility, and rapid change management are critical.

Security Features and Network Protection Capabilities

Security is a fundamental consideration in the design of the Cisco Nexus 93180YC-FX3 category. These switches incorporate a wide range of hardware-accelerated security features that help protect the network from internal and external threats. Support for access control lists, segmentation, microsegmentation, and telemetry-driven threat detection ensures that sensitive data and critical applications remain secure in increasingly complex data center environments.

Microsegmentation and Policy Enforcement

The category supports fine-grained microsegmentation capabilities that allow administrators to define and enforce security policies at a granular level. By isolating workloads and controlling traffic flows based on application requirements, organizations can significantly reduce the attack surface and limit the potential impact of security breaches. This approach aligns with zero-trust security models and modern compliance requirements.

Integration with Analytics and Monitoring Tools

Advanced telemetry and streaming analytics features enable real-time visibility into network behavior, traffic patterns, and potential security anomalies. The Cisco Nexus 93180YC-FX3 managed switch category integrates with Cisco and third-party monitoring tools, providing actionable insights that help administrators detect issues early, optimize performance, and maintain a secure network posture.

Reliability, Redundancy, and Operational Efficiency

High availability and operational efficiency are core attributes of the Cisco Nexus 93180YC-FX3 category. These switches are designed with redundant power supplies and fans, ensuring continuous operation even in the event of component failures. Hot-swappable components minimize downtime and simplify maintenance, while intelligent power management features help reduce energy consumption and operational costs.

Designed for Continuous Data Center Operations

The robust hardware design and enterprise-grade components used in this category ensure long-term reliability in demanding data center environments. The switches are engineered to operate within a wide range of environmental conditions, supporting consistent performance and stability in densely populated racks. This reliability is critical for organizations that depend on uninterrupted network connectivity to support business-critical applications.

Use Cases Across Enterprise, Cloud, and Service Provider Environments

The Cisco N9K-C93180YC-FX3= managed switch category is well-suited for a broad range of use cases, including enterprise data centers, private and hybrid cloud deployments, and service provider infrastructures. Its combination of high port density, flexible speed options, and advanced features makes it an ideal choice for organizations seeking to build scalable, future-ready networks that can adapt to changing workload demands.

Enterprise Data Center Deployments

In enterprise environments, this category supports consolidation of network tiers, improved application performance, and simplified management. The ability to integrate with existing systems while enabling gradual migration to higher speeds ensures a smooth transition toward modern data center architectures.

Cloud and Multi-Tenant Architectures

For cloud providers and multi-tenant environments, the Cisco Nexus 93180YC-FX3 category delivers the scalability, isolation, and automation capabilities required to support diverse customer workloads. Its support for overlays, segmentation, and policy-based management ensures efficient resource utilization and consistent service delivery.

Future-Ready Design and Investment Protection

The Cisco Nexus 93180YC-FX3 category is designed with future growth in mind, supporting emerging technologies and evolving network standards. Its hardware capabilities, software flexibility, and support for high-speed Ethernet ensure that organizations can adapt to new requirements without significant infrastructure changes. This forward-looking design provides strong investment protection and positions the network to support next-generation applications and services.