N9K-C92304QC Cisco Nexus 92304QC 56 X 40GBPS QSFP+ QSFP28 Ethernet Switch

Cisco N9K-C92304QC Nexus 92304QC Ethernet Switch

The Cisco N9K-C92304QC Nexus 92304QC represents a pivotal evolution in data center access-layer switching, engineered to address the relentless demand for higher bandwidth and greater port density. As a cornerstone of the Cisco Nexus 9000 Series, this fixed-port switch delivers a powerful blend of 40 Gigabit Ethernet and 100 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity in a compact, energy-efficient 1RU form factor. Designed to operate within Cisco’s Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI) and standalone NX-OS modes, the 92304QC provides the foundational fabric for cloud, enterprise, and service provider environments, facilitating seamless transitions from 10G/40G infrastructures to 40G/100G deployments.

Form Factor

Housed in a standard 1-rack-unit (1RU) chassis, the Nexus 92304QC maximizes port density and performance per rack unit, a critical metric in modern, space-constrained data centers. Its architectural design is built around the robust Cisco Cloud Scale ASIC technology, which delivers consistent, low-latency forwarding, rich features, and deep telemetry capabilities. The front panel configuration is strategically segmented to offer versatile connectivity options, making it an ideal top-of-rack (ToR) or middle-of-row (MoR) leaf switch in spine-leaf architectures.

Port Configuration and Physical Interfaces

The defining characteristic of the Nexus N9K-C92304QC 92304QC is its hybrid port configuration, offering a future-ready blend of speeds.

56 x QSFP+ Ports (40GbE)

This bank of ports provides the high-density 40 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity essential for server aggregation, connecting to high-performance computing clusters, storage arrays, or legacy 40G spines. Each QSFP+ port can operate natively at 40G. Furthermore, using breakout cables (e.g., QSFP+ to 4x SFP+), each of these 56 ports can be split into four independent 10 Gigabit Ethernet interfaces. This breakout capability effectively transforms the switch into a platform supporting up to 224 x 10GbE ports, offering exceptional flexibility for gradual migration from 10G to 40G server fabrics without a hardware refresh.

8 x QSFP28 Ports (40/100GbE)

These eight high-speed uplink ports are the gateway to the network spine or core. They natively support 100 Gigabit Ethernet, providing high-bandwidth, low-latency paths for east-west traffic within the data center. They are also backward compatible, capable of operating at 40GbE when connected to existing QSFP+ infrastructure. This dual-speed capability ensures seamless integration into evolving networks, protecting investments while providing a clear path to 100G spine connectivity.

Performance and Scalability Specifications

The switch is engineered for non-blocking performance, ensuring all ports can forward traffic at line rate simultaneously. With a high aggregate switching capacity and forwarding rate, it handles demanding workloads typical in virtualized and cloud-native environments. The architecture supports scalable MAC and routing table sizes, accommodating large Layer 2 and Layer 3 network designs.

Deployment Flexibility with Cisco NX-OS and ACI

The Nexus N9K-C92304QC 92304QC operates as a unified platform supporting two distinct operational modes: the battle-tested Cisco NX-OS and the policy-driven Cisco ACI.

Standalone NX-OS Mode

In this traditional mode, the switch leverages the full suite of Cisco NX-OS features. It provides a robust, proven operating system with comprehensive capabilities for Layer 2 switching, Layer 3 routing, virtualization, and security. Administrators have granular control over the network configuration, making it suitable for environments requiring precise, CLI-driven management.

Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI) Mode

When deployed as part of an ACI fabric, the Nexus 92304QC transforms into a policy-enforcing leaf node. In this model, network, security, and application policies are defined in a centralized controller (APIC) and pushed dynamically to the switch. This software-defined approach automates provisioning, accelerates application deployment, and provides unified visibility across physical and virtual workloads.

ACI Benefits Enabled by the 92304QC

The hardware supports VXLAN encapsulation/decapsulation in hardware, a prerequisite for ACI’s overlay fabric. It enforces endpoint policies at line rate, providing microsegmentation and security down to the individual workload level. Its telemetry capabilities feed detailed data to the APIC for real-time health scoring and analytics.

Advanced Hardware Capabilities and Features

Beyond basic connectivity, the Nexus N9K-C92304QC 92304QC incorporates several advanced hardware-accelerated features essential for modern data center operations.

High-Performance Buffering

The integrated Cloud Scale ASIC provides large, shared packet buffers that intelligently manage traffic bursts inherent in converged storage and data networks. This prevents packet loss during microbursts, ensuring consistent performance for sensitive applications like real-time analytics or financial transactions.

Comprehensive Visibility with Telemetry

The switch supports advanced monitoring protocols like NetFlow, ERSPAN, and streaming telemetry. The latter is crucial for modern operations, allowing for the continuous, high-frequency export of performance counters and operational state to external analytics platforms. This enables proactive network management, faster troubleshooting, and data-driven capacity planning.

Redundancy Features

Designed for always-on operation, the switch includes dual, hot-swappable, field-replaceable power supplies and fan modules with front-to-back or back-to-front airflow options to match various data center cooling schemes. It also supports in-service software upgrades (ISSU) for both NX-OS and ACI, allowing for software updates without disrupting network services.

Use Cases and Ideal Deployment Scenarios

The unique port density of the Nexus N9K-C92304QC 92304QC makes it suitable for several key deployment patterns.

High-Density Server Access Leaf

Its primary role is as a high-density leaf switch in a spine-leaf topology. The 56x40G ports can connect a massive number of servers using 10G (via breakout) or 40G NICs, while the 8x100G ports provide high-bandwidth uplinks to the spine layer, ensuring a non-oversubscribed fabric for east-west traffic.

Consolidated Storage and Data Network

The switch's deep buffers and low latency make it suitable for converging IP-based storage traffic (like iSCSI or NFS) with standard application data on a single fabric, simplifying infrastructure and reducing costs.

Massive Scalability for Cloud Providers

For cloud and service providers, the combination of port density, VXLAN EVPN support, and ACI automation makes the 92304QC an ideal building block for creating large, multi-tenant cloud networks with robust security isolation and automated tenant provisioning.

Physical Specifications

The switch conforms to a 1RU form factor with specific dimensions (width, depth, height) and weight. It supports various AC and DC power supply options (e.g., 1100W AC/DC) with variable fan module choices to accommodate different power and cooling requirements.

Environmental and Compliance Details

It is designed to operate within standard data center temperature, humidity, and altitude ranges. The switch complies with key industry standards for safety, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), and environmental impact (RoHS).