Description
Overview of the Cisco N3K-C3548P-10GX Nexus Managed Switch
In today’s fast-paced world, efficient data management and network connectivity are essential for businesses and organizations of all sizes. The N3K-C3548P-10GX Nexus 3548X 48 Ports Managed Switch is a crucial piece of hardware that plays a significant role in ensuring seamless data communication. This article will provide a detailed explanation of the N3K-C3548P-10GX Nexus 3548X Managed Switch. We will explore its features, benefits, applications, and how it works, all in simple English.
Key Features and Specifications
To get a deeper understanding of the Cisco N3K-C3548P-10GX Nexus 3548X, let’s dive into its key features and specifications. These details will shed light on the capabilities and how it can enhance your network infrastructure.
High-Performance Architecture
The Cisco Nexus 3548X is built on a high-performance architecture that can handle the demands of modern networks. It boasts a switching capacity of up to 960 Gbps, ensuring that your network can efficiently handle heavy workloads and traffic spikes. This high switching capacity is complemented by a forwarding rate of up to 720 Mpps making it suitable for data-intensive applications.
Low Latency
Low latency is critical in networking, especially for applications that require real-time data transfer and minimal delays. The Cisco N3K-C3548P-10GX Nexus 3548X excels in this aspect, offering ultra-low latency with a latency rate as low as 250 nanoseconds. This low latency is a game-changer for industries like finance, where split-second transactions can make a significant difference.
Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency is a growing concern in data centers and network infrastructure. The Cisco Nexus 3548X addresses this concern by featuring an efficient power supply and power management capabilities. It is designed to reduce power consumption while maintaining optimal performance. In addition, it supports the IEEE Data Center Bridging (DCB) standard, which helps in efficiently managing power usage.
Scalability
The Cisco N3K-C3548P-10GX Nexus 3548X is highly scalable, allowing for the addition of more ports and features as your network requirements expand. This scalability ensures that your investment in this switch remains future-proof and adaptable to the changing needs of your organization.
Advanced Security
Security is a top priority in networking, and this switch incorporates advanced security features to protect your data and network infrastructure. It supports features like Access Control Lists (ACLs), which enable administrators to control traffic flow and filter out unwanted data. Additionally, it offers features like DHCP Snooping and IP Source Guard to enhance security at the network layer.
Data Center Operations
For data centers, efficient and reliable operations are critical. The Cisco N3K-C3548P-10GX Nexus 3548X includes features like Virtual PortChannels (vPC) and FabricPath to simplify data center operations. vPC allows for the creation of redundancy and load-balancing configurations, ensuring high availability, while FabricPath simplifies Layer 2 network topology and improves network utilization.
Advanced Features of Managed Switch
The Cisco Nexus 3548X switch (N3K-C3548P-10GX model) supports several advanced features that are designed to enhance the performance and flexibility of data center networks. Some of these features include:
Virtual Extensible LAN
VXLAN is a network virtualization technology that enables the creation of virtual Layer 2 networks on top of existing Layer 3 infrastructure. This allows for the creation of thousands of virtual networks, which can be used to segment traffic and isolate different types of workloads.
Overlay Transport Virtualization
OTV is a data center interconnect (DCI) solution that allows for the extension of Layer 2 networks across multiple data centers. This allows for the seamless movement of virtual machines (VMs) and other workloads between data centers, without the need for VLANs or other Layer 2 technologies.
Fibre Channel over Ethernet
FCoE is a technology that allows for the transport of Fibre Channel (FC) traffic over Ethernet networks. This allows for the consolidation of FC and Ethernet networks, reducing the need for multiple types of cables and switches in the data center.
Cisco Network Assurance Engine
This feature provides automated network verification and troubleshooting. It uses a combination of telemetry data, machine learning, and analytics to provide real-time visibility into network performance, identify potential issues, and recommend actions to resolve them.
Rapid Per-VLAN Spanning Tree
RPVST+ is a Cisco-proprietary version of the Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) that allows for faster convergence and improved scalability in large Layer 2 networks. This helps to ensure that the network remains stable and resilient in the event of link failures or other disruptions.
Security and Compliance
The Cisco Nexus 3548X switch (N3K-C3548P-10GX model) offers several security features and capabilities to help ensure that the network is protected against unauthorized access, breaches, and other security threats. Some of these include:
Access control lists
The switch supports the use of ACLs, which are used to control access to the network and to specific resources. ACLs can be used to restrict access to certain IP addresses, ports, and protocols, and to apply different levels of access based on the user or device.
Cisco TrustSec
This is a security framework that provides identity-based security, allowing administrators to create policies that are based on the user or device, rather than on the IP address or port. This allows for more granular control over network access and can help to prevent unauthorized access or breaches.
Cisco NX-OS Software Security Features
The switch runs on Cisco NX-OS software, which includes a range of security features such as Role-Based Access Control (RBAC), Secure Shell (SSH), and Secure Copy (SCP) for secure remote management, and SSHv2 for secure access to the switch.
Compliance
The switch is compliant with various industry standards such as PCI-DSS, HIPAA, and SOX. This can help organizations to meet regulatory requirements and ensure that their network infrastructure is secure and compliant.
Cisco Software Checker
This is a feature that allows administrators to ensure that the switch is running the most recent, secure version of the software. It also alerts administrators of vulnerabilities and offers solutions to fix them.
These security features and capabilities can help to ensure that the Cisco Nexus 3548X switch and the network it is a part of are protected against unauthorized access, breaches, and other security threats, and also allow organizations to meet regulatory and compliance requirements.
Network Management and Security
The Cisco Nexus 3548X switch is a member of the Cisco Nexus 3500 platform, a series of data center switches designed for high-performance, high-density 10, 25, 40, 50, and 100 Gigabit Ethernet environments. The N3K-C3548P-10GX model has 48 ports with 10 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity and supports advanced features such as VXLAN, OTV, and FCoE. It also supports Cisco’s Network Assurance Engine, which provides automated network verification and troubleshooting. Additionally, it offers robust security features such as access control lists (ACLs), Cisco TrustSec for identity-based security, and Cisco NX-OS software to provide a secure and resilient network infrastructure.
General Information about the Cisco AIR-CAP3502I-C-K9
- Manufacturer: Cisco
- Part Number or SKU# N3K-C3548P-10GX
- Product Type: Managed Switch
Technical Information of the Cisco AIR-CAP3502I-C-K9
- Modular No
- Stack Port No
- Port/Expansion Slot Details 48 x 10 Gigabit Ethernet Expansion Slot
- Media Type Supported Optical Fiber
- Ethernet Technology 10 Gigabit Ethernet
- Network Technology 10GBase-X
- Number of Total Expansion Slots 48
- Expansion Slot Type SFP+
- Number of SFP+ Slots 48
Network & Communication
- Layer Supported 3
Management & Protocols
- Manageable Yes
Power Description
- Power Source Power Supply
- Redundant Power Supply Yes
Miscellaneous
- Green Compliant Yes
- Green Compliance Certificate/Authority RoHS-5
In summary, the N3K-C3548P-10GX Nexus 3548X Managed Switch plays a pivotal role in ensuring efficient data management and network connectivity in a wide range of settings, making it an indispensable tool for the modern digital age.
With benefits such as high-speed data transmission, low latency, scalability, network segmentation, efficient traffic routing, network monitoring, and security, the N3K-C3548P-10GX addresses the essential requirements of diverse industries. Its applications range from supporting critical healthcare operations to facilitating financial transactions and enhancing educational experiences.
