N9K-C9336C-FX2-E Cisco Nexus 36 Ports Ethernet Switch

Cisco N9K-C9336C-FX2-E Nexus 9336C-FX2-E Overview

The Cisco N9K-C9336C-FX2-E is a high-performance, fully manageable Ethernet switch designed for modern data center and enterprise networks. With 36 ports and 3-layer support, it ensures robust, scalable, and efficient connectivity for demanding network environments.

Key Features of Cisco N9K-C9336C-FX2-E

• Manufacturer: Cisco
• Part Number: N9K-C9336C-FX2-E
• Product Type: Ethernet Switch
• Sub-Type: 36 Ports Modular Switch
• Rack-Mountable Design: 1U High for seamless integration

Technical Specifications

Product Line and Model

• Product Series: 9300
• Model: 9336C-FX2-E
• Product Line: Nexus
• Supported Ethernet Technology: 100 Gigabit Ethernet

Interfaces & Expansion

• Fully Modular Design for flexible network configurations
• Total Expansion Slots: 36
• Expansion Slot Type: QSFP28 for high-speed connections

Media & Network Performance

• Supported Media: Optical Fiber for long-distance high-speed data transfer
• Network Technology: 100GBase-X
• Layer Support: Layer 3 for advanced routing capabilities

Power & Connectivity

• Power Source: Standard Power Supply
• Redundant Power Supply: Supported for uninterrupted operation
• Plug / Connector Types: C14 and IEC 320-C13 for compatibility

Management & Protocols

• Fully Manageable to simplify network monitoring and control
• Supports advanced network protocols for enterprise-grade performance

Physical Characteristics & Form Factor

Dimensions and Rack Compatibility

• Form Factor: Rack-Mountable
• Compatible Rack Unit: 1U
• Height: 1.7 inches
• Width: 17.3 inches
• Depth: 24.7 inches

Design Benefits

• Compact 1U profile maximizes data center space efficiency
• Durable construction ensures reliable long-term performance
• Modular design allows scalable expansion as network demands grow

Enterprise-Class Data Center Switching with the Cisco Nexus 9336C-FX2-E

The Cisco N9K-C9336C-FX2-E Nexus 9336C-FX2-E Ethernet Switch represents a high-performance category of modular, optical fiber–based data center switches designed for scalable, low-latency, and highly reliable enterprise and cloud networking environments. Positioned within the Cisco Nexus 9000 Series, this switch category is engineered to support modern application workloads, software-defined networking architectures, and multi-layer switching requirements in dense rack-mounted deployments. With its 1U high rack-mountable form factor, the switch is optimized for space efficiency while delivering advanced Layer 3 manageability and high-throughput Ethernet connectivity across optical fiber infrastructures.

This category of switches addresses the growing demand for high-bandwidth east-west traffic in data centers, where virtualization, containerization, and distributed applications require predictable performance and advanced traffic management. The Nexus 9336C-FX2-E is designed to integrate seamlessly into spine-leaf architectures, enabling scalable expansion without compromising performance or operational simplicity. Its modular optical fiber support allows organizations to tailor connectivity based on distance, bandwidth, and transceiver type, ensuring adaptability across diverse deployment scenarios.

High-Density 36-Port Ethernet Architecture for Modern Networks

The Cisco Nexus 9336C-FX2-E switch category is defined by its 36-port Ethernet configuration, which supports high-speed optical fiber connections suitable for data center aggregation and core switching layers. These ports are designed to accommodate advanced Ethernet standards, providing the bandwidth necessary for high-performance computing, cloud services, and large-scale virtualization platforms. The density of 36 ports within a 1U chassis highlights the switch’s ability to deliver maximum throughput per rack unit, a critical factor for organizations managing limited data center space.

This category supports flexible port configurations that can adapt to evolving network demands. By leveraging modular optical transceivers, the switch can be deployed in short-reach or long-reach environments, making it suitable for both intra-rack connectivity and inter-rack or inter-data-center links. The optical fiber focus ensures reduced signal loss, improved electromagnetic interference resistance, and enhanced reliability for mission-critical workloads.

Optimized for Spine-Leaf and Clos Network Designs

The Nexus 9336C-FX2-E category is purpose-built for spine-leaf and Clos network topologies, which are widely adopted in modern data center designs. These architectures rely on predictable latency and consistent bandwidth across all nodes, requirements that are met through the switch’s non-blocking fabric and advanced forwarding capabilities. In spine roles, the switch delivers high-capacity interconnections between leaf switches, while in leaf roles it provides direct connectivity to servers, storage systems, and edge devices.

This architectural flexibility allows organizations to standardize on a single switch category for multiple roles within the network, simplifying procurement, deployment, and lifecycle management. The result is a more agile data center infrastructure capable of scaling horizontally as business needs evolve.

Layer 3 Manageability and Advanced Routing Capabilities

The Cisco Nexus 9336C-FX2-E falls within a category of manageable Layer 3 Ethernet switches that support advanced routing protocols and traffic engineering features. This enables network architects to design resilient, high-availability networks with dynamic path selection, fast convergence, and granular control over traffic flows. Layer 3 support is essential for large-scale data centers where segmentation, multi-tenancy, and workload mobility are critical operational requirements.

This category integrates seamlessly with Cisco’s network operating systems, providing a consistent management and automation framework across the Nexus portfolio. Administrators benefit from programmable interfaces, telemetry, and policy-driven management that reduce operational complexity while enhancing visibility into network performance.

Support for Software-Defined Networking and Automation

The Nexus 9336C-FX2-E switch category is designed to support software-defined networking initiatives by exposing APIs and automation-friendly interfaces. This allows integration with orchestration platforms, configuration management tools, and CI/CD pipelines used in modern IT operations. Automation reduces the risk of human error, accelerates deployment cycles, and ensures consistent policy enforcement across the network fabric.

By aligning with SDN principles, this category enables organizations to respond quickly to changing application requirements, scale resources dynamically, and implement network segmentation strategies that enhance security and compliance.

Modular Optical Fiber Design for Flexible Connectivity

A defining characteristic of the Cisco Nexus 9336C-FX2-E category is its modular optical fiber design. Instead of fixed copper interfaces, the switch relies on pluggable optical transceivers that support a range of speeds and distances. This modularity allows organizations to select transceivers that match their specific deployment needs, whether connecting servers within the same rack or linking switches across data center rows or facilities.

Optical fiber connectivity offers significant advantages in terms of signal integrity, latency, and scalability. The category is well-suited for environments where high-speed data transfer and minimal packet loss are essential, such as financial services, research institutions, and cloud service providers.

Scalability Through Transceiver Flexibility

The ability to choose different optical modules enables incremental scaling without replacing the core switch hardware. As bandwidth requirements grow, organizations can upgrade transceivers to higher-speed options, extending the useful life of the switch and protecting capital investments. This scalability is a key differentiator for enterprises planning long-term data center expansion.

1U High Rack-Mountable Form Factor for Space Efficiency

The Cisco Nexus 9336C-FX2-E belongs to a category of 1U high rack-mountable switches that maximize performance while minimizing physical footprint. This compact design is critical in modern data centers where rack space, power, and cooling resources are carefully managed. By delivering high port density and advanced features in a single rack unit, the switch enables higher network capacity without requiring additional racks.

The rack-mountable design also simplifies installation and maintenance, allowing technicians to deploy or replace units quickly. This contributes to reduced downtime and improved operational efficiency, particularly in large-scale environments with hundreds or thousands of network devices.

Thermal Efficiency and Power Optimization

This switch category is engineered with efficient airflow and power management features to support dense deployments. Optimized cooling paths and intelligent fan control help maintain stable operating temperatures, even under heavy workloads. Power efficiency is equally important, as it reduces operational costs and aligns with sustainability initiatives commonly adopted by enterprise and cloud operators.

High Availability and Reliability for Mission-Critical Networks

The Cisco Nexus 9336C-FX2-E category is designed to deliver high availability and reliability, essential attributes for mission-critical data center networks. Redundant components, advanced fault detection, and fast convergence mechanisms help ensure continuous operation even in the event of hardware or link failures. This level of resilience is vital for applications that require uninterrupted connectivity, such as real-time analytics, transaction processing, and large-scale web services.

By supporting features such as equal-cost multi-path routing and rapid failover, this category minimizes the impact of network disruptions and helps maintain consistent application performance.

Enterprise-Grade Security Integration

Security is a fundamental consideration in the design of the Nexus 9336C-FX2-E category. Layer 3 capabilities enable network segmentation, access control, and traffic isolation, reducing the attack surface within the data center. Integration with Cisco’s security ecosystem allows organizations to implement comprehensive protection strategies that span the network, compute, and application layers.

Use Cases Across Enterprise, Cloud, and Service Provider Environments

The Cisco Nexus 9336C-FX2-E category is versatile enough to support a wide range of use cases across different industries. In enterprise data centers, it serves as a high-performance aggregation or core switch that connects application servers, storage systems, and virtualization platforms. In cloud environments, it enables scalable, multi-tenant architectures that support rapid provisioning and elastic resource allocation.

Service providers benefit from the switch’s ability to handle high traffic volumes and complex routing requirements, making it suitable for hosting, managed services, and large-scale network infrastructures. The combination of performance, manageability, and modularity ensures that this category remains relevant across diverse operational contexts.

Support for Virtualization and Containerized Workloads

Modern workloads rely heavily on virtualization and container orchestration platforms that generate dynamic and unpredictable traffic patterns. The Nexus 9336C-FX2-E category is optimized to handle these patterns through low-latency forwarding, high throughput, and advanced traffic management features. This ensures consistent performance for applications running in virtual machines or containers, even during peak usage periods.

Lifecycle Management and Long-Term Investment Value

Investing in the Cisco Nexus 9336C-FX2-E category provides long-term value through extended product lifecycles, ongoing software enhancements, and compatibility with future networking standards. Cisco’s commitment to backward compatibility and feature-rich software updates ensures that organizations can continue to leverage their hardware investments as technologies evolve.

The manageability and automation features built into this category reduce total cost of ownership by lowering operational overhead and simplifying network administration. Over time, these efficiencies translate into measurable cost savings and improved agility.

Alignment with Evolving Data Center Standards

The Nexus 9336C-FX2-E category aligns with industry best practices and emerging standards for data center networking. Its support for high-speed Ethernet, optical fiber connectivity, and programmable management interfaces positions it as a future-ready solution capable of adapting to new application demands and architectural models.

Category Differentiation Within the Cisco Nexus 9000 Series

Within the broader Cisco Nexus 9000 Series, the 9336C-FX2-E category distinguishes itself through its balance of port density, optical flexibility, and Layer 3 capabilities. It is designed for organizations that require high performance without sacrificing manageability or scalability. This differentiation makes it an ideal choice for mid-sized to large data centers seeking a robust, standardized switching platform.

The emphasis on modular optical fiber connectivity and high-speed Ethernet ensures that this category remains competitive in environments where bandwidth demands continue to rise. By integrating seamlessly with existing Cisco infrastructure, the Nexus 9336C-FX2-E simplifies network evolution and supports long-term strategic growth.