Description
More Information for the Cisco N3K-C3172PQ-XL 48 Ports Switch
The N3K-C3172PQ-XL is a cutting-edge Cisco Ethernet switch designed to meet the demands of modern networking environments. With 48 ports and Layer 3 capabilities, this switch is engineered to deliver high performance, scalability, and advanced features crucial for today’s businesses. In this detailed exploration, we will delve into the key aspects of the N3K-C3172PQ-XL, highlighting its specifications, features, benefits, and use cases.
Overview of N3K-C3172PQ-XL
The N3K-C3172PQ-XL is a member of Cisco’s Nexus 3000 Series, renowned for its robust and efficient networking solutions. This particular switch stands out with its 48 ports, providing a substantial number of connections for various devices within a network. As a Layer 3 switch, it operates at the network layer of the OSI model, enabling routing capabilities and facilitating communication between different subnets.
Key Specifications
Let’s dive into the technical specifications that make the N3K-C3172PQ-XL a powerful networking solution:
- Port Configuration: The switch comes equipped with 48 ports, supporting a combination of 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GE) and 40 Gigabit Ethernet (40GE) connectivity. This versatile configuration ensures flexibility in accommodating diverse network requirements.
- Layer 3 Capabilities: Being a Layer 3 switch, the N3K-C3172PQ-XL can make routing decisions, allowing for efficient traffic management and optimal data flow between different subnets.
- Switching Capacity: The switch boasts a high switching capacity, ensuring low latency and high-throughput performance. This is particularly crucial in environments with heavy data traffic and demanding applications.
- Redundancy and Reliability: Cisco has integrated redundancy features into the N3K-C3172PQ-XL to enhance network reliability. Redundant power supplies and hot-swappable fans contribute to the overall stability of the network infrastructure.
Features and Functionalities
To meet the diverse needs of modern networking, the N3K-C3172PQ-XL is packed with a range of features and functionalities:
- Virtualization Support: This Cisco switch supports virtualization, allowing for the creation of multiple virtual networks within a physical network infrastructure. This is particularly valuable in environments where segmentation and isolation of network traffic are essential.
- Quality of Service (QoS): The implementation of QoS features ensures that critical applications receive the necessary bandwidth and priority, guaranteeing a consistent and reliable user experience.
- Security Measures: Cisco has integrated robust security features into the N3K-C3172PQ-XL to safeguard the network from potential threats. Access Control Lists (ACLs), Secure Shell (SSH) encryption, and other security protocols contribute to a secure networking environment.
- Scalability: With its 48 ports and support for high-speed connections, the N3K-C3172PQ-XL is designed to scale with the growing demands of a network. This scalability is essential for businesses experiencing expansion or increased data traffic.
Benefits of N3K-C3172PQ-XL
- Enhanced Performance: The high switching capacity and advanced features of the N3K-C3172PQ-XL contribute to enhanced network performance. This is especially critical in environments where responsiveness and low latency are paramount.
- Simplified Network Management: Cisco has developed an intuitive and user-friendly interface for managing the N3K-C3172PQ-XL. The switch is compatible with Cisco’s network management tools, providing administrators with comprehensive control and visibility into the network.
- Cost-Efficiency: The consolidation of multiple networking functions into a single device, along with the scalability of the switch, contributes to cost efficiency. Businesses can adapt their network infrastructure without significant investments in additional hardware.
Use Cases
The N3K-C3172PQ-XL finds application in various scenarios due to its versatile features:
- Data Centers: In data center environments, the switch’s high port density, low latency, and support for virtualization make it an ideal choice for handling the diverse and dynamic workloads typical of these settings.
- Enterprise Networks: For large enterprises with extensive networking needs, the N3K-C3172PQ-XL offers scalability, security, and advanced features required to support a complex and evolving network infrastructure.
- Cloud Service Providers: Cloud service providers can benefit from the switch’s high-speed connectivity and scalability to meet the demands of their clients. The switch’s redundancy features contribute to the reliability of cloud-based services.
High Performance of SFP+ Layer 3 Managed Switch
The N3K-C3172PQ-XL Cisco Nexus 3172PQ-XL 48 Ports Layer 3 Managed Switch is considered to have high performance. It is designed to provide fast and reliable switching for data centers and enterprise networks.
The switch has many features that contribute to its high performance, such as:
- High-speed switching: The switch supports up to 48 ports of 10/40 Gigabit Ethernet, providing high-speed switching for data center and enterprise networks.
- Low latency: The switch uses a cut-through switching architecture, reducing latency and improving the overall performance of the network.
- Power over Ethernet (PoE) support: The switch has 48 ports of 10/40 Gigabit Ethernet with PoE support, eliminating the need for additional electrical wiring and providing power to devices such as IP phones, cameras, and Wireless Access Points.
- Virtualization support: The switch supports virtualization technologies, such as Virtual Extensible LAN (VXLAN) and Network Virtualization using Generic Routing Encapsulation (NVGRE), allowing for efficient and flexible network management.
- Quality of Service (QoS): The switch supports QoS, which allows administrators to prioritize different types of traffic, ensuring that real-time applications such as voice and video have priority over less critical traffic.
- High availability: The switch includes many redundancy and failover features, such as Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP) and Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP), to ensure that the network remains operational even in the event of a failure.
Exceptional Reliability
The N3K-C3172PQ-XL Cisco Nexus 3172PQ-XL 48 Ports Layer 3 Managed Switch is considered to be a highly reliable device. It is designed to provide high-performance switching for data centers and other large enterprise networks.
The switch has many features that contribute to its reliability, such as:
- High availability: The switch includes some redundancy and failover features, such as Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP) and Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP), to ensure that the network remains operational even in the event of a failure.
- Advanced security: The switch includes several security features, such as port security and access control lists, to protect against unauthorized access and attacks.
- High scalability: The switch can support up to 48 ports of 10 Gigabit Ethernet, making it suitable for large and complex networks.
- Virtualization support: The switch supports virtualization technologies such as VXLAN, NVGRE, and VLANs, making it easy to create and manage virtual networks.
- Energy efficient: The switch uses Cisco’s EnergyWise technology, which can monitor and control the power consumption of connected devices, reducing energy consumption and minimizing the environmental impact.
- Management and monitoring: The switch includes a web-based interface that allows administrators to easily manage and monitor the switch, as well as a command-line interface (CLI) for advanced configuration and troubleshooting.
General Information about this Cisco N3K-C3172PQ-XL
- Manufacturer: Cisco
- Model Number or SKU# N3K-C3172PQ-XL
- Product Name: Nexus 3172PQ-XL Switch
- Product Type: Layer 3 Switch
Technical Specifications
- Number of Total Expansion Ports: 48
- Media Type: Supported Optical Fiber
- Ethernet Technology: 40 Gigabit Ethernet
- Ethernet Technology: 10 Gigabit Ethernet
- Network Technology: 40GBase-X
- Network Technology: 10GBase-X
- Layer Supported: 3
Power of Layer3 Nexus 3172PQ-XL Switch:
- Power Source: Power Supply
- Power Consumption Operational: 293 Watts
- Redundant Power Supply Supported: Yes
I/O Expansions
- Expansion Slot Type: QSFP+
- Expansion Slot Type: SFP+
Features
- Access Control List (ACL) support
- Broadcast Storm Control
- DHCP snooping
- EIGRP Stub Routing
- Equal-Cost Multipath (ECMP)
- Hot Standby Router Protocol (HSRP) support
- LACP support
- LLDP support
- Multicast Storm Control
- Multiple Spanning Tree Protocol (MSTP) support
- Quality of Service (QoS)
- RADIUS support
- Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP) support
- Redundant hot-swappable fans
- Syslog support
- Uni-Directional Link Detection (UDLD)
- Unicast Reverse Path Forwarding (URPF)
- Unicast Storm Control
- Virtual PortChannel (vPC) technology
- VLAN support
- Weighted Random Early Detection (WRED)
- Weighted Round Robin (WRR) queuing
Environmental Parameters
- Min Operating Temperature: 32 °F
- Max Operating Temperature: 104 °F
- Humidity Range Operating: 10 – 85% (non-condensing)
- Min Storage Temperature: -40 °F
- Max Storage Temperature: 158 °F
- Humidity Range Storage: 5 – 95% (non-condensing)
Compatibility
- AES
- AS/NZS 60950-1 Second Edition
- AS/NZS CISPR22:2004 Class A
- CISPR 22 Class A
- CISPR 24
- CNS 13438(95) Class A
- CSA C22.2 No. 60950-1 Second Edition
- Directive 2004/108/EC
- Directive 2006/95/EC
- EN 300386
- EN 60950-1 Second Edition
- EN 61000-3-2
- EN 61000-3-3
- EN55022 Class A
- EN55024
- FCC CFR47 Part 15
- GB 4943
- ICES-003 Class A
- IEC 60950-1 Second Edition
- KN22 Class A
- KN24
- RoHS 5/6
- UL 60950-1 Second Edition
- VCCI Class A
In general, the N3K-C3172PQ-XL Cisco 48 Ports Layer 3 Ethernet Switch emerges as a powerhouse in the world of networking solutions. Its robust design, advanced features, and versatile applications make it a compelling choice for data centers and enterprise networks alike. Whether you are seeking high port density, advanced routing capabilities, or enhanced security features, this switch delivers on multiple fronts. As organizations continue to evolve, the N3K-C3172PQ-XL stands ready to meet the challenges of modern networking, providing a solid foundation for efficient and reliable data transfer.
