N9K-C93180YC-FX3S Cisco Nexus 9300-FX3S 48x 25GB Switch.

Cisco N9K-C93180YC-FX3S 48 Ports Ethernet Switch Overview

The Cisco Nexus 93180YC-FX3S is a high-performance, rack-mountable Ethernet switch designed for enterprise-grade networking. Supporting modular 48 SFP slots and advanced 3-layer management capabilities, this switch is ideal for data centers and high-throughput environments.

Manufacturer and Product Details

• Brand: Cisco
• Model Number: N9K-C93180YC-FX3S
• Product Category: Network Switch
• Subtype: 48-Port Managed Switch

Key Features and Capabilities

• Supports 48 high-speed 25 Gigabit SFP28 Ethernet ports for seamless data transfer
• Equipped with 6x 100 Gigabit QSFP28 uplink ports for high-capacity connectivity
• Advanced 3-layer network management for scalable and reliable performance
• Modular design with 1U high rack-mountable form factor
• Robust optical fiber support for long-distance networking applications

Management and Interface Options

• 1x RJ45 Ethernet management interface
• 1x USB interface for easy configuration
• 1x RS-232 Serial port for console access

Performance and Capacity

• Switching capacity: 3.6 Tbps to handle intensive network workloads
• Forwarding rate: 1.2 Bpps for high-speed packet processing
• MAC address table can accommodate up to 512,000 entries

Hardware Specifications

• Includes 4 high-efficiency fan modules for optimal cooling
• Comes with 2 reliable power supplies rated at 600 W each
• Durable, 1U rack-mountable design suitable for modern data centers

Cisco N9K-C93180YC-FX3S Nexus 93180YC-FX3S Ethernet Switch

The Cisco N9K-C93180YC-FX3S Nexus 93180YC-FX3S Ethernet Switch is a high-performance, 1U rack-mountable, modular network switch designed to meet the needs of modern data centers and enterprise networking environments. With 48 SFP slots supporting optical fiber connections, this switch ensures scalable, low-latency, and highly reliable network connectivity for demanding applications. Supporting Layer 3 routing capabilities, it allows seamless integration into complex network topologies, enabling efficient traffic management and advanced network services.

Advanced Layer 3 Capabilities

The Nexus 93180YC-FX3S is not just a Layer 2 switch; it offers full Layer 3 support, making it ideal for enterprise networks that require advanced routing functionality. It supports dynamic routing protocols such as OSPF, BGP, and EIGRP, allowing for optimized path selection and traffic engineering. Its hardware-accelerated routing engine ensures low-latency packet forwarding, reducing bottlenecks in high-density environments.

Routing Protocols and Features

With the support for multiple Layer 3 routing protocols, network administrators can deploy the Nexus 93180YC-FX3S in complex, hierarchical network architectures. OSPF and BGP allow for scalable, resilient network designs, while VRF (Virtual Routing and Forwarding) capabilities enable network segmentation for multi-tenant or multi-department deployments.

OSPF Support

The switch’s OSPF implementation provides rapid convergence and efficient routing in large-scale networks. By supporting multiple OSPF areas, the switch ensures optimized link utilization and load balancing, reducing latency and improving overall network performance.

BGP and Advanced Routing

Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) support makes this switch suitable for data center interconnects and large enterprise networks. BGP allows for policy-based routing, supporting flexible path selection and failover strategies. Additionally, the switch’s hardware-accelerated routing ensures minimal latency even during peak traffic periods.

High-Density 48 SFP Ports for Optical Connectivity

The Nexus 93180YC-FX3S features 48 SFP+ ports, allowing for high-speed 10/25/40/100 Gbps optical connections. This high-density configuration is ideal for data centers where space and power efficiency are critical. Each SFP port is capable of supporting a wide range of optical modules, enabling versatile connectivity options for short and long-distance deployments.

Optical Fiber Compatibility

Designed with optical fiber in mind, the N9K-C93180YC-FX3S ensures seamless integration with modern fiber infrastructures. It supports both multimode and single-mode fiber transceivers, enabling connectivity distances ranging from a few meters to tens of kilometers, which is essential for campus networks and inter-data center links.

Transceiver Options

The switch supports a variety of Cisco SFP modules including 10GBASE-SR, 10GBASE-LR, 25G SFP28, and 100G QSFP28 modules. This versatility allows enterprises to customize their network deployments according to performance requirements, budget, and distance limitations.

Energy Efficiency and 600 W Power Consumption

The Cisco N9K-C93180YC-FX3S is engineered for energy efficiency while delivering maximum throughput. With a total power consumption of only 600 W, it provides high-density network performance without excessive power draw. This efficiency reduces operational costs, lowers cooling requirements, and supports green data center initiatives.

Power Supply and Redundancy

The switch is equipped with hot-swappable, redundant power supplies, ensuring continuous operation even in the event of a power module failure. Redundant power capabilities minimize downtime and provide high availability, which is crucial for mission-critical network operations.

Cooling and Thermal Management

Advanced thermal management ensures consistent performance even under high traffic loads. Variable-speed fans adjust according to workload, minimizing noise and energy usage. This design is ideal for densely populated racks in data centers or server rooms where airflow optimization is critical.

Modular and 1U High Rack-Mount Design

The Nexus 93180YC-FX3S is a 1U high, rack-mountable switch with a modular design that allows easy scalability. Its compact form factor is optimized for space-constrained environments, yet it offers sufficient port density to accommodate growing network demands. The modular architecture also simplifies maintenance and upgrades, allowing organizations to adapt to evolving network requirements without replacing the entire switch.

Ease of Installation and Maintenance

Designed with data center operations in mind, the switch supports front-to-back or back-to-front airflow, making it adaptable to existing cooling setups. Its modular components, such as line cards and power supplies, can be replaced without disrupting network operations, ensuring minimal downtime during maintenance or expansion.

Rack-Mount Versatility

The 1U height allows high-density stacking in standard 19-inch racks, maximizing port availability per rack unit. This is particularly advantageous in enterprise data centers or cloud service provider networks where space efficiency is essential.

Network Security and Management Features

Security and manageability are critical for modern networks, and the Cisco Nexus 93180YC-FX3S delivers comprehensive solutions in both areas. It supports advanced network segmentation, access control lists (ACLs), and secure management protocols to ensure network integrity and prevent unauthorized access.

Network Segmentation and ACLs

The switch enables granular network segmentation using VLANs and VRFs. This allows administrators to isolate critical workloads, improving security and reducing the risk of lateral movement in case of a network breach. ACLs further enforce traffic control policies to restrict unauthorized access and prevent data leaks.

Secure Management Protocols

Management security is reinforced through support for SSH, SNMPv3, and Role-Based Access Control (RBAC). These protocols ensure secure remote administration while enabling detailed monitoring and troubleshooting capabilities. The switch also integrates with Cisco Data Center Network Manager (DCNM) for centralized management and automation.

High Performance and Low Latency for Data Centers

The Nexus 93180YC-FX3S is optimized for high-performance workloads, making it ideal for modern data centers, cloud computing, and high-frequency trading environments. Its low-latency architecture ensures fast packet forwarding and minimal jitter, essential for latency-sensitive applications.

Wire-Speed Switching

All 48 SFP ports can operate at wire-speed simultaneously, providing deterministic performance across the network. This is crucial for applications requiring real-time data processing, such as financial trading, video streaming, and large-scale virtualization.

Buffering and Congestion Management

Advanced buffering and congestion management techniques, such as priority flow control (PFC) and enhanced transmission selection (ETS), ensure smooth traffic flow even under heavy workloads. These features reduce packet loss and maintain optimal performance for critical applications.

Use Cases and Deployment Scenarios

The Cisco Nexus 93180YC-FX3S is versatile and can be deployed in various scenarios, from core and aggregation layers in enterprise networks to leaf switches in spine-leaf data center architectures. Its modular design and high port density make it suitable for growing networks that require scalable performance and reliability.

Enterprise Data Centers

For large enterprise data centers, this switch provides robust Layer 3 routing, high port density, and flexible optical connectivity. It can handle workloads ranging from traditional applications to modern virtualization and cloud services.

Cloud and Hyperscale Environments

In cloud and hyperscale deployments, the switch excels as a leaf switch in a spine-leaf topology. Its low latency, high throughput, and energy efficiency make it an ideal choice for large-scale, high-performance cloud networks.

Campus and Branch Networks

While primarily designed for data centers, the Nexus 93180YC-FX3S can also serve as a high-performance core switch in campus or branch networks. Its Layer 3 capabilities enable efficient routing between buildings or regional offices, providing a reliable backbone for enterprise networks.