Description
More Information on the Switch
In the ever-evolving landscape of networking equipment, the Cisco N9K-C9348GC-FXP Nexus 9348GC-FXP Rack-mountable Switch stands out as a robust solution designed to meet the demands of modern data centers. This article will delve into the key features, specifications, and benefits of this switch, providing a detailed understanding of its capabilities.
Overview of Cisco N9K-C9348GC-FXP
The Cisco N9K-C9348GC-FXP is part of the Nexus 9300 series, renowned for its high-performance capabilities. This particular model is a rack-mountable switch, offering 48 ports for seamless connectivity in data center environments. As a member of Cisco’s Nexus family, it leverages advanced technologies to deliver a reliable and scalable networking solution.
Key FeaturesPort Density
- The 48 ports on the N9K-C9348GC-FXP provide a high level of port density, making it suitable for environments with substantial networking requirements. This is particularly beneficial for data centers where numerous devices need to be interconnected.
Switching Capacity
- This Nexus switch boasts impressive switching capacity, ensuring that data can flow efficiently within the network. With ever-increasing data demands, having a switch with ample capacity is crucial for maintaining optimal performance.
Rack-Mountable Design
- The rack-mountable design of the N9K-C9348GC-FXP enhances its versatility and ease of integration into existing data center infrastructure. The ability to mount the switch in a standard rack simplifies the physical deployment process.
Cisco Nexus Operating System (NX-OS)
- The switch runs on the Cisco Nexus Operating System (NX-OS), a feature-rich and reliable operating system tailored for Nexus devices. NX-OS provides advanced features such as virtual device contexts (VDCs), enhancing the switch’s overall manageability.
Data Center Bridging
- Equipped with Data Center Bridging (DCB) capabilities, the N9K-C9348GC-FXP ensures lossless Ethernet communication within the data center. This is essential for applications requiring a high level of reliability, such as storage area networks (SANs).
Virtual Extensible LAN (VXLAN) Support
- VXLAN support enables the creation of virtualized Layer 2 networks over Layer 3 infrastructure. This is especially valuable in large-scale data center environments, providing flexibility and scalability in network design.
Technical SpecificationsPhysical Dimensions
- The N9K-C9348GC-FXP has specific physical dimensions that make it suitable for standard rack installations. Understanding the dimensions is crucial for planning and optimizing the physical space within a data center.
Power Requirements
- Efficient power consumption is a key consideration for modern data centers aiming to reduce operational costs and environmental impact. This switch provides detailed power requirements, allowing organizations to plan their power infrastructure accordingly.
Environmental Operating Conditions
- The environmental operating conditions, including temperature and humidity ranges, are important factors to ensure the switch’s reliability and longevity. This information is vital for data centers located in diverse climates.
Redundancy and High Availability
- The N9K-C9348GC-FXP is designed with redundancy features to enhance system availability. Understanding these features, such as hot-swappable power supplies and fans, is critical for organizations prioritizing high availability in their network infrastructure.
Benefits of N9K-C9348GC-FXPScalability
- The 48 ports and high switching capacity of the N9K-C9348GC-FXP make it a scalable solution for growing network demands. Organizations can expand their infrastructure without compromising performance.
Simplified
- The Cisco Nexus Operating System (NX-OS) provides a user-friendly interface for managing and configuring the switch. This simplifies the overall network management process, reducing the potential for errors and downtime.
Enhanced Security
- Security is a top priority in any network infrastructure. The N9K-C9348GC-FXP includes security features such as access control lists (ACLs) and role-based access control (RBAC), contributing to a secure networking environment.
Future-Proofing
- Investing in a switch with advanced features, such as VXLAN support, ensures that the network infrastructure is prepared for future technologies and trends. This future-proofing approach is essential for maximizing the lifespan of networking equipment.
Use CasesData Center Deployments
- The N9K-C9348GC-FXP is tailored for data center environments where high port density, scalability, and reliability are paramount. Its rack-mountable design and advanced features make it an ideal choice for organizations with diverse data center requirements.
Virtualized Environments
- With support for virtualized Layer 2 networks through VXLAN, this switch is well-suited for virtualized environments where flexible network configurations are essential. It facilitates seamless communication between virtual machines and other networked resources.
High-Performance Computing
- In environments with high-performance computing (HPC) requirements, the N9K-C9348GC-FXP’s robust switching capacity ensures that data can flow rapidly between interconnected devices. This is crucial for applications such as scientific simulations and data analysis.
Benchmarks and Testing Results
- The Cisco Nexus 9348GC-FXP (N9K-C9348GC-FXP) is a high-performance, 1-rack-unit (1RU) top-of-rack (ToR) switch designed for use in data center networks. It features 48 fixed ports, supports speeds of up to 100 Gbps, and is powered by the Cisco Cloud Scale ASIC.
- To measure the performance of the Cisco Nexus 9348GC-FXP switch, various benchmarks and tests can be conducted. These tests can evaluate the switch’s throughput, latency, and other key performance metrics.
- One common benchmark used to evaluate switch performance is the RFC 2544 test. This test involves measuring the maximum throughput of the switch while simultaneously introducing latency and packet loss. The results of this test can help network administrators determine the maximum traffic that the switch can handle without introducing significant latency or packet loss.
- Another commonly used test for switch performance is the Y.1564 test. This test is used to measure the maximum throughput of the switch while simultaneously evaluating latency and jitter. This test can help network administrators determine the quality of service (QoS) that can be achieved with the switch.
- In addition to these standardized tests, network administrators can also conduct their own tests to evaluate the performance of the Cisco Nexus 9348GC-FXP switch in their specific network environment. These tests can be used to measure traffic patterns, latency, and other key metrics in real-world scenarios.
Main Specification about this Cisco N9K-C9348GC-FXP
- Manufacturer: Cisco
- Part Number or SKU# N9K-C9348GC-FXP
- Product Line: Nexus
- Product Series: 9300
- Type: Networking
- Product Type: Ethernet Switch
Technical Feature of Rack-Mountable Switch
- Total Number of Network Ports: 48
- Network (RJ-45): Yes
- Modular: Yes
- Port/Expansion Slot Details:
- 48 x Gigabit Ethernet Network
- 4 x 25 Gigabit Ethernet Expansion Slot
- 2 x 100 Gigabit Ethernet Expansion Slot
Media & Performance
- Media Type Supported:
- Optical Fiber
- Twisted Pair
- Ethernet Technology:
- Gigabit Ethernet
- 25 Gigabit Ethernet
- 100 Gigabit Ethernet
- Network Technology:
- 10/100/1000Base-T
- 25GBase-T
- 100GBase-X
I/O Expansions
- Number of Total Expansion Slots: 6
- Expansion Slot Type:
- QSFP28
- SFP28
Network & Communication
- Layer Supported: 3
Management & Protocols
- Manageable: Yes
Power Description
- Input Voltage:
- -48 V DC
- -60 V DC
- 120 V AC
- 230 V AC
- Power Source: Power Supply
- Redundant Power Supply Supported: Yes
- Number of Power Supplies Supported: 2
- Power Consumption: 178 W
Finally, the Cisco N9K-C9348GC-FXP Nexus 9348GC-FXP Rack-mountable 48 Ports Switch is a powerhouse in the realm of networking equipment. Its combination of high port density, advanced features like VXLAN support, and the reliability of the Cisco Nexus Operating System make it a compelling choice for modern data center deployments. Understanding its key features, technical specifications, and the benefits it brings to different use cases is crucial for organizations seeking a scalable and future-proof networking solution. As technology continues to advance, having a switch that can adapt and grow with the evolving demands of the digital landscape is a strategic investment for any enterprise.