N9K-C93216TC-FX2= Cisco Nexus Network 96 Ports Managed Switch

Cisco N9K-C93216TC-FX2= Managed Switch Overview

The Cisco N9K-C93216TC-FX2= is a high-performance, fully managed network switch designed for enterprise-grade data centers. With its robust 96-port configuration and advanced Layer 3 capabilities, this switch delivers exceptional bandwidth and reliable connectivity for large-scale networks.

Key Features and Highlights

• Manufacturer: Cisco
• Model: N9K-C93216TC-FX2=
• Product Type: Switch
• Port Count: 96 ports
• Form Factor: 2U front and side-to-back rack-mountable
• Fully managed Layer 3 switch with advanced routing and security

Technical Specifications

Performance and Capacity

• Total Bandwidth: 4.32 Tbps
• Packet Forwarding Rate: 1.6 Bpps
• Maximum VLANs Supported: 3967
• VRF Instances: 16,000
• Maximum Port Channels: 512
• Maximum Links per Port Channel: 32
• ECMP Paths: 64
• ACL Entries (Ingress/Egress): 5000 / 2000
• IGMP Snooping Groups: 32,000
• Multicast Routes: 32,000
• NAT Entries: 1023
• Multiple Spanning Tree Instances: 64
• HSRP Groups: 490

Routing Protocol Support

• OSPF, RIP, RIP-2, BGP, EIGRP
• PIM-SM, MSDP
• ECMP, MPLS, HSRP

Advanced Features

• STP and MSTP support
• ACL support for advanced security
• Virtual Port Channel (vPC) technology
• MACsec encryption
• VXLAN, SSM, and EVPN capabilities
• 40 MB system buffer for optimized performance
• Three high-efficiency fan trays
• Power-on Auto Provisioning (POAP) support

Memory and Storage

• RAM: 24 GB
• Built-in SSD: 128 GB

Ports and Connectivity

• 12 x 100G/40G QSFP28 ports
• 96 x 10GBASE-T RJ-45 ports
• 1 x Management SFP+
• 1 x Management RJ-45 port
• 1 x Serial (RS-232) port
• 1 x USB port for local configuration

Power and Redundancy

• Internal hot-plug power supply
• Maximum Supported Units: 2
• Optional power redundancy for uninterrupted operation
• Voltage Compatibility: AC 120/230 V (50/60 Hz)

Package Contents

• 1x Cisco N9K-C93216TC-FX2= switch
• 2x Power Supplies (NXA-PAC-1200W-PI)
• 3x Cooling Fans (NXA-FAN-160CFM-PI)
• Power Cords
• Console Cable

Cisco N9K-C93216TC-FX2= Switch Overview

The Cisco N9K-C93216TC-FX2= is a high-performance, next-generation network switch designed for modern data centers and enterprise networks. This model offers 96 ports of 10 Gigabit Ethernet combined with 96 QSFP28 ports supporting 40 and 100 Gigabit Ethernet, providing unmatched flexibility and scalability. Its innovative design enables both front-to-back and side-to-back airflow, making it ideal for diverse data center environments where efficient cooling is critical.

High-Density Connectivity

With 192 total ports, the N9K-C93216TC-FX2= is optimized for high-density connectivity scenarios. Network architects can leverage its 96 QSFP28 ports to aggregate multiple 40G/100G uplinks, while the 96 10G Ethernet ports efficiently handle server connectivity. This high port density ensures reduced cabling complexity, lower latency, and seamless integration with existing infrastructure.

QSFP28 Port Flexibility

The QSFP28 ports on the N9K-C93216TC-FX2= support both 40G and 100G speeds, allowing enterprises to scale their network as demand grows. Administrators can dynamically configure these ports to meet traffic requirements, ensuring optimal performance for storage, compute, and application layers. This flexibility also reduces the need for additional hardware, saving both rack space and operational costs.

10 Gigabit Ethernet Performance

The 10G Ethernet ports provide dedicated server access at high speeds, making them perfect for high-bandwidth workloads such as virtualization, database operations, and AI/ML processing. The combination of 10G and 40/100G ports allows the switch to serve as a central spine or leaf in a modern leaf-spine architecture.

Advanced Switching and Routing Capabilities

The Cisco N9K-C93216TC-FX2= supports Layer 3 routing and advanced Layer 2 switching features, making it a versatile solution for data center and enterprise environments. It is fully compatible with Cisco NX-OS, offering advanced routing protocols such as OSPF, BGP, and IS-IS, as well as VXLAN overlays for network virtualization.

Layer 3 Routing Support

Network engineers can implement complex routing schemes thanks to the robust Layer 3 capabilities of the N9K-C93216TC-FX2=. It supports high-speed routing with minimal latency, making it suitable for both east-west and north-south traffic in large-scale networks. The switch also supports Equal-Cost Multi-Path (ECMP) routing, enhancing network resiliency and load balancing.

VXLAN and Overlay Networks

VXLAN support allows the switch to extend Layer 2 networks over Layer 3 infrastructure, enabling seamless deployment of virtualized workloads across multiple data center sites. This capability is essential for enterprises adopting cloud-native applications and software-defined data centers.

Enhanced Security Features

Security is paramount in modern networks, and the N9K-C93216TC-FX2= delivers comprehensive security measures. Features include MACsec encryption for secure data transmission, role-based access control (RBAC) for administrative security, and advanced traffic monitoring for threat detection. These functionalities ensure both compliance and protection against unauthorized access.

MACsec Encryption

MACsec provides line-rate encryption between devices, safeguarding data in transit without impacting performance. This is critical for environments handling sensitive data such as financial transactions, healthcare records, or government communications.

Access Control and Traffic Segmentation

The switch supports extensive access control lists (ACLs) and segmentation policies to isolate traffic, prevent unauthorized access, and protect critical workloads. With granular control, administrators can define who accesses what resources, reducing attack surfaces.

High Availability and Reliability

The Cisco N9K-C93216TC-FX2= is built for high availability and continuous operation. It includes redundant power supplies, fans, and dual supervisors for non-stop forwarding. These features ensure minimal downtime and uninterrupted service, essential for mission-critical data centers.

Redundant Power and Cooling

Redundant power supplies provide failover capabilities, while the modular fan trays allow for easy replacement without downtime. The dual airflow options (front-to-back or side-to-back) offer flexibility for different data center cooling designs, maintaining optimal temperature and energy efficiency.

Non-Stop Forwarding and Stateful Switchover

Non-stop forwarding ensures that data continues to flow even during software or hardware upgrades. Stateful switchover (SSO) allows one supervisor module to seamlessly take over from another without disrupting traffic, ensuring high network uptime.

Management and Automation

Modern networks require simplified management and automation. The N9K-C93216TC-FX2= integrates with Cisco DNA Center and supports REST APIs, Python scripting, and Cisco NX-API for efficient network automation. These capabilities reduce manual configuration, minimize errors, and accelerate deployment times.

Centralized Management with Cisco DNA Center

Administrators can centrally monitor, configure, and optimize network devices using Cisco DNA Center. Features include AI-driven analytics, policy-based management, and end-to-end visibility across the network, ensuring maximum performance and reliability.

Automation and Programmability

Support for automation frameworks allows repetitive tasks to be scripted and executed automatically. This capability reduces operational overhead, enhances consistency, and accelerates changes across multiple switches simultaneously.

Use Cases and Applications

The N9K-C93216TC-FX2= is suited for a wide range of applications including:

Enterprise Data Centers

Designed for high-performance data centers, this switch delivers low latency, high throughput, and dense port availability to support critical enterprise applications, storage systems, and virtualized workloads.

Cloud Service Providers

Cloud environments demand scalability and automation. The N9K-C93216TC-FX2= supports VXLAN, high-density 100G uplinks, and automation tools for rapid provisioning and network orchestration.

High-Performance Computing

For HPC and AI/ML clusters, the switch provides low-latency, high-bandwidth connectivity to support compute-intensive workloads. Its 100G QSFP28 ports enable massive parallel data transfers without bottlenecks.

Telecom and Service Providers

Telecom networks require reliability and scalability to manage vast amounts of traffic. The N9K-C93216TC-FX2 delivers both, with robust routing, security, and redundancy features that meet carrier-grade standards.