N9K-C93600CD-GX Cisco Nexus 93600CD-GX 36 Ports 100 Gigabit Rack-mountable Switch

The Cisco Nexus N9K-C93600CD-GX switch offers advanced Layer 3 functionality with 36 high-speed ports, engineered for high-density data centers and large-scale enterprise environments. Its robust design delivers unparalleled performance, enabling organizations to handle massive traffic loads efficiently while ensuring low latency and high reliability. Its ability to scale seamlessly makes it an excellent option for modern networks requiring substantial capacity.

Technical Specifications

Device Type and Enclosure

• Product Type: Layer 3 Managed Switch
• Part Number: N9K-C93600CD-GX
• Total Ports: 36 Ports
• Enclosure: 1U Rack-Mountable Design
• Subtype: 400 Gigabit Ethernet

Port Configuration

• 28 x 100/40 Gigabit QSFP28: Provides flexible high-speed downlink connectivity
• 8 x 100/400 Gigabit QSFP-DD: Uplinks designed for ultra-fast data transfer and network expansion

Interfaces and Connectivity

• Management Ports: 1 x RJ-45 (Management), 1 x SFP+ (Management)
• Additional Ports: 1 x USB, 1 x Serial (RS-232) for console access

Memory and Performance

• MAC Address Table Size: 256K Entries for accommodating extensive connected devices
• System Buffer: 80 MB of buffer space to manage large data volumes and ensure smooth traffic flow

Advanced Layer 3 Routing Capabilities

The Cisco N9K-C93600CD-GX excels in providing advanced Layer 3 routing protocols for highly efficient network management, ensuring optimal routing and traffic flow across various network segments.

• OSPF (Open Shortest Path First): Optimized for large enterprise environments with dynamic routing needs
• RIP-2 (Routing Information Protocol v2): Provides a simple yet effective distance-vector routing protocol
• BGP (Border Gateway Protocol): Best suited for routing across large-scale networks and ISPs
• EIGRP (Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol): Delivers fast convergence and scalability
• MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching): Improves data packet delivery speed by reducing hop counts
• MSDP (Multicast Source Discovery Protocol): Efficient multicast routing for distributed network environments
• RSVP (Resource Reservation Protocol): Helps ensure the necessary bandwidth is available for real-time data applications

Key Features and Innovations

Security and Traffic Management

Ensuring both secure and efficient network operations, the N9K-C93600CD-GX includes a wide range of advanced features designed to maintain optimal network performance while safeguarding against threats.

• MACsec Support: Encrypts traffic at the media access control level, protecting data integrity
• Access Control Lists (ACLs): Fine-grained traffic filtering based on various criteria, enhancing security
• Spanning Tree Protocol (STP): Prevents network loops, ensuring stable network topology

Scalability and Port Flexibility

This switch's port flexibility allows it to meet the growing demands of expanding networks, providing options for high-speed connections as well as supporting breakout capabilities.

• Breakout Ports: Enables multiple lower-speed connections from a high-speed port
• VXLAN (Virtual Extensible LAN): Supports overlay networks, extending Layer 2 segments across Layer 3 infrastructure
• EVPN (Ethernet VPN): Facilitates efficient multi-site Layer 2 and Layer 3 connectivity in virtualized environments

Reliability and Redundancy

Built for uninterrupted performance, the Cisco N9K-C93600CD-GX features redundant power and cooling systems that ensure continuous uptime, even under heavy loads.

• Redundant Power Supply: Hot-plug internal power units for seamless power transitions
• Cooling System: 5+1 fan redundancy for optimal thermal management

Power and Energy Efficiency

Energy-Efficient Design

Designed to minimize energy consumption, the N9K-C93600CD-GX switch offers advanced features to reduce operational costs while maintaining high-performance levels.

• Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE): Dynamically adjusts power usage based on traffic, helping reduce energy costs
• Dynamic Fan Control: Fans adjust speed according to workload, ensuring lower power draw during periods of reduced network activity

Expansion and Connectivity Options

Interface Expansion

Offering a comprehensive range of interfaces, the N9K-C93600CD-GX is equipped for maximum network flexibility and scalability.

• 28 x 100/40 Gigabit QSFP28 Downlink Ports
• 8 x 100/400 Gigabit QSFP-DD Uplink Ports
• 1 x RJ-45 (Management), 1 x SFP+ (Management)
• 1 x USB for additional device connectivity
• 1 x Serial RS-232 for console management

Automation and Simplified Management

Enhanced Automation Tools

The Cisco N9K-C93600CD-GX simplifies deployment and management through enhanced automation tools and programmability, making network administration more efficient.

• POAP (Power-On Auto Provisioning): Automatically configures new devices upon installation, reducing manual configuration time
• Embedded Event Manager (EEM): Automates tasks based on network events, providing more flexible management
• Programmable Switching Infrastructure (PSI): Allows customized network operations through scripting and automation

Applications and Use Cases

Data Center Networks

The N9K-C93600CD-GX excels in data center environments where high-density, high-speed connections are essential. Its 400 Gigabit ports make it ideal for handling large-scale traffic flows and storage networks with ease.

Enterprise Networks

This switch is well-suited for enterprise environments where scalability, security, and performance are critical. The advanced Layer 3 routing protocols and VLAN capabilities allow it to manage even the most complex network infrastructures.

Service Providers

Telecoms and service providers can leverage the N9K-C93600CD-GX for high-speed network backbones, offering reliable services to customers while maintaining optimal bandwidth allocation and traffic management through advanced routing protocols like MPLS and BGP.

Compliance and Industry Standards

Compliance with Network Standards

The N9K-C93600CD-GX adheres to several industry standards, ensuring seamless integration with a wide variety of network environments.

• IEEE 802.1AE: Supports MACsec for encrypted data transmission
• IEEE 802.1Q: VLAN tagging for network traffic segmentation and improved security

Interoperability

With support for a variety of routing protocols and interfaces, this switch ensures compatibility with diverse network architectures, making it a versatile addition to any enterprise or data center network.

The Cisco Nexus N9K-C93600CD-GX is a top-tier 36-port 100 Gigabit Ethernet switch, specifically engineered for data centers and high-performance environments. Its powerful design supports large-scale deployments, providing immense throughput, minimal latency, and advanced data management features. Built to fit seamlessly into rack-mounted environments, the N9K-C93600CD-GX delivers high density, scalability, and flexibility, making it a preferred choice for organizations aiming to enhance their network infrastructure.

Key Features of the Cisco N9K-C93600CD-GX

High-Speed Connectivity

This switch features 36 ports of 100 Gigabit Ethernet, providing immense bandwidth for high-demand environments. Whether it's a large-scale data center or enterprise networking, the high-speed connectivity of the N9K-C93600CD-GX allows for seamless data transfer with minimal bottlenecks.

Advanced Layer 3 Functionality

The Cisco Nexus N9K-C93600CD-GX switch offers comprehensive Layer 3 functionality, including advanced routing protocols like OSPF, BGP, and MPLS. This makes it ideal for environments requiring dynamic routing capabilities and advanced traffic management, ensuring optimized data flow across networks.

Scalability and Flexibility

The N9K-C93600CD-GX is designed to support growing networks. With its high-density port configuration and ability to handle significant amounts of data traffic, it provides scalable solutions that can adapt to the needs of expanding businesses. Whether used in a spine-leaf architecture or as part of a larger network core, this switch delivers the flexibility required for complex networking environments.

Intelligent Network Management

As a managed switch, the N9K-C93600CD-GX comes equipped with Cisco’s Nexus Operating System (NX-OS), which allows for granular network control. This includes automation, programmability, and visibility features that simplify the management of large-scale networks. Administrators can monitor, adjust, and control network resources efficiently, reducing operational complexity and improving overall performance.

Energy Efficiency and Power Optimization

This switch is designed with energy efficiency in mind, helping organizations reduce operational costs while maintaining high performance. Its redundant power supply design ensures that it continues running without interruptions, and its low power consumption makes it an environmentally friendly option for data centers seeking to minimize energy use.

Deployment Scenarios and Applications

Data Center Networks

The Cisco N9K-C93600CD-GX is specifically designed for high-performance data centers. Its 100 Gigabit Ethernet ports offer the bandwidth necessary for handling vast amounts of data, while its scalable architecture supports dense network environments. Whether used in leaf-spine designs or as a core switch, it excels in providing high throughput, low latency, and reliable connectivity.

Enterprise Core Networks

Enterprises with demanding networking needs will benefit from the advanced routing and switching features of this switch. Its robust Layer 3 capabilities ensure optimized routing, while its 100 Gigabit Ethernet ports support high-speed data transfer, making it perfect for handling large-scale enterprise operations. It can be implemented as a core switch to manage data flow across multiple departments, sites, or campuses.

Service Provider Networks

Service providers looking for reliable, high-speed connectivity will find the N9K-C93600CD-GX an excellent choice. It supports MPLS, which enables efficient packet forwarding and traffic engineering. Its high port density and advanced features allow service providers to build scalable, high-performing networks for their customers.

Cloud Networking

The N9K-C93600CD-GX supports virtualization technologies like VXLAN, making it ideal for cloud computing environments. Its ability to handle virtualized network overlays allows organizations to deploy flexible, scalable cloud infrastructures that can meet the demands of modern business operations. Its programmability and automation features simplify the management of cloud networks, enhancing efficiency and agility.

Management and Automation Capabilities

Cisco NX-OS Software

The Cisco Nexus 93600CD-GX is powered by Cisco NX-OS, a powerful and flexible operating system tailored for the modern data center. NX-OS simplifies management with its intuitive interface, enabling network administrators to control and configure the switch with ease. It supports both CLI (Command-Line Interface) for granular control and GUI (Graphical User Interface) for user-friendly management.

Network Automation

Automation is at the heart of the N9K-C93600CD-GX, helping reduce manual processes and human errors. Through features like Power On Auto-Provisioning (POAP) and automated configuration tools, the switch makes it easier to deploy, configure, and maintain network resources. Automation enhances efficiency and accelerates network operations, especially in large-scale environments.

Programmability

With programmability built into its design, this switch supports various programming models and tools such as Python, REST APIs, and Ansible. This capability allows organizations to tailor the switch to their specific operational needs, enhancing flexibility and future-proofing their network infrastructure for advanced automation and integration needs.

Security Features and Compliance

Comprehensive Security Support

The Cisco N9K-C93600CD-GX offers robust security features to protect critical data and network resources. It supports MACsec (Media Access Control Security), ensuring encryption for traffic passing through the switch, providing protection from unauthorized access or breaches. Additionally, the switch includes Access Control Lists (ACLs) for controlling data flow and enforcing network policies, further enhancing security.

Compliance with Industry Standards

The N9K-C93600CD-GX complies with a variety of industry standards, including IEEE 802.1AE for MACsec encryption, ensuring that it meets stringent security and performance requirements. This compliance helps ensure interoperability with other network devices and systems, as well as adherence to global security protocols.

Hardware Redundancy and Reliability

Redundant Power Supplies

This switch is equipped with redundant, hot-swappable power supplies, ensuring continuous operation even in the event of power supply failure. The redundancy design ensures high availability, which is crucial for mission-critical environments where downtime is not an option.

Cooling and Thermal Management

Efficient cooling is essential for maintaining the performance and longevity of network switches. The N9K-C93600CD-GX uses a front-to-back airflow design with built-in fans, ensuring optimal thermal management. This feature prevents overheating and ensures consistent performance in demanding environments.

Conclusion

Superior Performance and Scalability

The Cisco N9K-C93600CD-GX delivers unmatched performance with its high port density and advanced Layer 3 switching. Its 100 Gigabit Ethernet ports, combined with extensive routing features and programmable options, make it a leading choice for data centers, enterprises, and service providers seeking high-speed, reliable, and scalable network solutions.

Future-Ready Network Infrastructure

This switch's advanced technologies, programmability, and automation support position it as a future-proof solution for businesses looking to scale their network operations. Its powerful hardware, flexible management capabilities, and energy efficiency contribute to its status as an essential component in modern, high-performance networking environments.