Nexus 9000

Cisco have a framework called ACI

Application CENTRIC infrastructure.

The idea being that the network is no longer there to maintain itself but to support applications which are the reason for it being there.

Technically, Cisco recommends you get 3 controllers to start with.

For “Networking” hardware, you are limited to Nexus 9000s.

SPINE are similar to the concept of Core.

LEAF are similar to the concept of access layer switches.

The SPINE options are.

A baby spine which is a Switch and not a Chassis. This is similar to the Qfabric “mini” fabric 9336PQ SPINE

A Chassis which handles the Spine.

The leafs are either standalone or

a Chassis leaf using ACI leaf cards.

Tomahawk is limited in capability but cheap and available.

Tomahawk requires the FM-S

97160YC-EX

9732C-EX

Both must have the FM-E fabric

X9636C-R

X9636Q-R

Both must have the FM-R fabric and offer more R routes , these compete against the Arista 7500R and use Jericho too.