Cisco N3K-C31128PQ-10GE 96 Ports Managed Switch Refurbished

The N3K-C31128PQ-10GE Nexus 31128PQ is a cutting-edge network switch designed for high-performance data centers, offering a plethora of features to meet the demands of modern networking environments. This comprehensive guide will delve into the intricate details of this switch, from its physical design to its advanced capabilities, with a focus on the 8-port 40 Gigabit Ethernet Expansion Slots, 96-Port 10 Gigabit Ethernet Expansion Slots, 10GBase-X, and 40GBase-X. Whether you're an IT professional, a network administrator, or a business owner, understanding the ins and outs of this switch can empower you to make informed decisions about your network infrastructure.

The N3K-C31128PQ-10GE Nexus 31128PQ is a robust and reliable switch designed to fit seamlessly into data center racks. With its rack-mountable 2U form factor, it optimizes space utilization while providing a high port density. The compact design makes it an ideal choice for organizations looking to maximize their networking capabilities within limited rack space.

The N3K-C31128PQ-10GE Nexus 31128PQ 96-port switch is a high-performance networking device designed to facilitate efficient data transfer and management within networks. With its versatile features, it caters to the demands of modern networking environments, offering scalability, flexibility, and reliability.

The switch boasts 8 ports of 40 Gigabit Ethernet expansion slots, allowing for high-speed data transmission. Additionally, it features 96 ports of 10 Gigabit Ethernet expansion slots, providing ample connectivity options for various devices within the network. This diverse port configuration ensures compatibility with a wide range of networking equipment, enabling seamless integration into existing infrastructures.

The N3K-C31128PQ-10GE switch supports both 10GBase-X and 40GBase-X standards, ensuring compatibility with different network architectures and protocols. This flexibility allows users to deploy the switch in diverse networking environments without worrying about compatibility issues.

One of the key highlights of the Nexus 31128PQ switch is its manageability features. With comprehensive management capabilities, users can efficiently monitor and control network operations, ensuring optimal performance and reliability. The switch supports Layer 3 management, enabling advanced routing functionalities for efficient data routing and traffic management.

The switch is designed to be rack-mountable, making it suitable for deployment in data center environments where space optimization is crucial. Its 2U form factor ensures efficient utilization of rack space, allowing for dense deployments without compromising on performance or scalability.

• High-Speed Connectivity with 40 Gigabit Ethernet: The 8 dedicated 40 Gigabit Ethernet expansion slots provide a robust foundation for high-speed data transfer, catering to the bandwidth-intensive requirements of modern applications and services.
• Flexible 10 Gigabit Ethernet Connectivity: With 96 Ports of 10 Gigabit Ethernet expansion slots, the Nexus 31128PQ ensures flexibility in connecting various devices, including servers, storage systems, and other networking equipment.
• Versatility with 10GBase-X and 40GBase-X: Supporting both 10GBase-X and 40GBase-X Ethernet standards, the switch accommodates diverse network architectures, offering compatibility with different devices and systems.
• Efficient Rack Space Utilization: The 2U rack-mountable form factor optimizes space utilization in data center racks, allowing organizations to maximize their networking capabilities within limited physical space.
• Comprehensive Network Management: The switch's manageability features empower administrators to configure and monitor network settings efficiently, ensuring optimal performance and security.
• Advanced Layer 3 Routing: Layer 3 capabilities enhance the switch's role in facilitating efficient communication between different subnets, supporting scalable network architectures.

• Scalability: The Nexus 31128PQ's high port density and support for advanced Ethernet standards make it an ideal choice for organizations with evolving network needs. It offers scalability to accommodate the growing demands of data-intensive applications.
• Flexibility in Network Design: The combination of 10GBase-X and 40GBase-X support, along with versatile port configurations, provides organizations with the flexibility to design and adapt their networks according to specific requirements.
• Space Optimization: The 2U rack-mountable form factor optimizes physical space in data center racks, allowing organizations to maximize the efficiency of their network infrastructure.
• Enhanced Performance: With high-speed 40 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity and Layer 3 capabilities, the Nexus 31128PQ contributes to enhanced network performance, reducing latency and ensuring smooth data flow.
• Future-Proofing: Supporting both current 10G and 40G Ethernet standards, the switch ensures that organizations can seamlessly integrate it into existing infrastructure while preparing for future advancements in networking technologies.

Apart from its core functionalities, the N3K-C31128PQ-10GE Nexus 31128PQ switch offers a range of advanced features to enhance network efficiency and security. These include:

• Virtualization Support: The switch supports virtualization technologies, enabling the creation of virtual network environments for improved resource utilization and flexibility.
• Quality of Service (QoS) Control: With built-in QoS mechanisms, the switch prioritizes network traffic based on predefined policies, ensuring optimal performance for critical applications and services.
• Security Features: To safeguard against unauthorized access and data breaches, the switch incorporates robust security features such as access control lists (ACLs), authentication mechanisms, and encryption protocols.
• Redundancy and High Availability: With support for redundant power supplies and hot-swappable components, the switch ensures high availability and reliability, minimizing downtime and disruptions to network operations.

The N3K-C31128PQ-10GE Nexus 31128PQ switch is suitable for a variety of use cases across different industries and sectors. Some common applications include:

• Enterprise Networks: In large enterprises, the switch can serve as a backbone device for connecting multiple departments, branches, and data centers, facilitating seamless communication and data transfer.
• Data Centers: Within data center environments, the switch enables efficient server-to-server connectivity, storage networking, and virtualization support, optimizing resource utilization and workload management.
• Service Providers: Service providers can leverage the switch to deliver high-speed connectivity and reliable services to their customers, supporting bandwidth-intensive applications and ensuring service-level agreements (SLAs) are met.
• Education and Research Institutions: Educational institutions and research organizations can utilize the switch to build robust networking infrastructures for collaborative research projects, online learning platforms, and data-intensive experiments.

Deployment and Management Best Practices

Deployment and management best practices for the Cisco Nexus 31128PQ Switch include the following:

• Pre-deployment planning: Before deploying the switch, it is important to plan for the network requirements and design, including the number of ports needed, the types of devices that will be connected, and the expected traffic patterns.
• Firmware updates: Before deploying the switch, it is important to ensure that it is running the latest firmware version to take advantage of the latest features and security updates.
• Initial configuration: After the switch is deployed, it is important to configure it with the appropriate settings, such as IP addresses, VLANs, and Quality of Service (QoS) policies.
• Monitoring and troubleshooting: The switch should be monitored and troubleshooted regularly to ensure that it is operating correctly and to detect and address any issues that may arise.
• Backup and restore: It is important to regularly back up the configuration of the switch to ensure that it can be quickly restored in the event of a failure or outage.
• Using Cisco Data Center Network Manager (DCNM) for centralized management and control: DCNM allows for easy deployment, monitoring, and troubleshooting of the switch, as well as the ability to automate common tasks and apply consistent policies across the network.
• Following Cisco best practices for security: The switch supports advanced security features such as VXLAN, NVGRE, and VLAN-aware bundle protocols, as well as Cisco TrustSec for secure segmentation. It is important to use these features and follow Cisco's best practices for securing the switch and the network as a whole.
• Regular maintenance and upgrades: Regularly check for firmware updates and perform maintenance on the switch to ensure it continues to perform optimally.

• Manufacturer: Cisco
• Part Number or SKU# N3K-C31128PQ-10GE
• Product Line: Nexus
• Product Series: 3000
• Product Name: Nexus 31128PQ, a switch with 96 SFP+ ports, 8 QSFP+ ports, 2RU.
• Product Type: Layer 3 Switch

• Modular: Yes
• Stack Port: No
• Port/Expansion Slot Details:
  • 96 x 10 Gigabit Ethernet Expansion Slot
  • 8 x 40 Gigabit Ethernet Expansion Slot

• Media Type Supported: Optical Fiber
• Ethernet Technology:
  • 40 Gigabit Ethernet
  • 10 Gigabit Ethernet
• Network Technology:
  • 10GBase-X
  • 40GBase-X

• Number of Total Expansion Slots: 104
• Expansion Slot Type:
  • QSFP+
  • SFP+
• Number of SFP+ Slots: 96

• Layer Supported: 3

Management & Protocols

• Manageable: Yes

Power Description

• Power Source: Internal Power Supply - Hot-plug
• Power Redundancy: Optional
• Max Supported Qty: 2
• Redundant Power Supply Supported: Yes
• Power Consumption Operational: 396 Watt

In summary, the N3K-C31128PQ-10GE Nexus 31128PQ switch offers a comprehensive solution for modern networking requirements. With its versatile port configuration, support for industry standards, advanced manageability features, and rack-mountable design, it caters to diverse use cases across various industries. Whether deployed in enterprise networks, data centers, service provider environments, or educational institutions, the switch delivers high performance, scalability, and reliability, making it a valuable asset for building efficient and resilient network infrastructures.