SPINE Switches

Cisco provides two modes of operation for Cisco Nexus® 9000 Series Switches.

  • Organizations can use Cisco NX-OS Software to deploy the switches in standard Cisco Nexus switch environments (NX-OS mode).

  • Organizations can use Cisco Application Centric Infrastructure (Cisco ACI™) platform to take full advantage of an automated, policy-based, systems-management approach (Cisco ACI mode).

Fixed

  • Nexus 9332C Switch

      • 32-port 40/100G QSFP28 ports and 2-port 1/10G

      • System memory: 16GB

      • The switch can operate in Cisco ACI Spine or NX-OS mode


  • Nexus 9364C Switch

      • 64-port 40/100G QSFP28 ports and 2-port 1/10G

      • System memory: 32GB

      • The switch can operate in Cisco ACI Spine or NX-OS mode

Modular

Nexus 9500 - Modular

N9K-C93180YC-FX vs N9K-C93180YC-FX3

APIC Controller

APIC Controller - Bundle, Mini and Virtual

ACI License - Essentials, Advantage, Premier for Leafs

Nexus vPC

  • Utilizes all available uplink bandwidth

  • Allows the creation of resilient Layer 2 topologies based on link aggregation

  • Eliminates the dependence of Spanning Tree Protocol in Layer 2 access distribution layer(s)

  • Enables transparent server mobility, server High Available (HA) clusters

  • Scales available Layer 2 bandwidth

  • Simplifies network design

  • Dual-homed servers operating in active-active mode

  • Provides faster convergence upon link failure

  • Improves convergence time when a single device fails

  • Reduces Capex and Opex

Feature Overview & Terminology

LINKS