Platform Scope and Selection Criteria
The Cisco N9300-EX Series consists of three fixed, 1RU switches based on Cisco Cloud Scale technology. The supplied datasheet identifies no modular chassis, modular line-card SKUs, or separately classified compact switches. Replaceable power supplies and fans are components of the fixed platforms, not modular switching systems.
The switches support either standalone NX-OS operation or Cisco Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI) operation. Platform selection should therefore address physical connectivity, forwarding scale, software mode, licensing, and environmental constraints together.
| Fixed-switch SKU | Model | Server-facing or configurable connectivity | Uplinks or alternate configuration | Published bandwidth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| N9K-C93180YC-EX | N93180YC-EX | 48 x 1/10/25-Gbps fiber ports | 6 x 40/100-Gbps QSFP28 | 3.6 Tbps |
| N9K-C93108TC-EX | N93108TC-EX | 48 x 100-Mbps/1/10GBASE-T | 6 x 40/100-Gbps QSFP28 | 2.16 Tbps |
| N9K-C93180LC-EX | N93180LC-EX | Up to 32 x 40/50-Gbps QSFP+ | Alternatively, up to 18 x 100-Gbps QSFP28 | 3.6 Tbps |
The YC model explicitly specifies latency below 1 microsecond and forwarding above 2.6 billion packets per second. The TC and LC descriptions print “over 1.6bpps” and “over 2.6 bpps,” respectively. These abbreviated source values should not be treated as independently clarified packet-rate specifications in contractual acceptance criteria.
Selection rules:
- Choose YC for fiber-connected servers requiring migration from 1 or 10 Gbps to 25 Gbps.
- Choose TC where 100-Mbps, 1-Gbps, and 10GBASE-T copper connectivity is required.
- Evaluate LC for concentrated 40/50/100-Gbps connectivity or 10-Gbps breakout requirements.
- Do not assume the LC maximum port configurations are additive. The datasheet presents them as alternatives controlled by templates.
- No PoE capability or PoE budget is specified. PSU wattage must not be represented as endpoint power capacity.
Port Configuration and Presales Bandwidth Sizing
YC and TC uplinks support combinations of 1, 10, 25, 40, 50, and 100 Gbps. Exact combinations, breakout arrangements, optics, and software dependencies require validation beyond the general connectivity statement.
The LC supports up to 72 x 10-Gbps ports using breakout cables. The source does not provide its configuration templates or port-by-port restrictions; proposals should identify the required template before committing to a mixed-speed layout.
The following calculations use published port counts and speeds, not additional switch specifications:
| Configuration | Aggregate downlink rate | Aggregate uplink rate | Calculated downlink-to-uplink ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| YC: 48 x 25G, 6 x 100G | 1,200 Gbps | 600 Gbps | 2:1 |
| YC: 48 x 25G, 6 x 40G | 1,200 Gbps | 240 Gbps | 5:1 |
| TC: 48 x 10G, 6 x 100G | 480 Gbps | 600 Gbps | 0.8:1 |
| TC: 48 x 10G, 6 x 40G | 480 Gbps | 240 Gbps | 2:1 |
These are interface-capacity ratios, not application throughput guarantees. Recalculate using the actual uplinks available to server traffic, including failure conditions and any ports assigned to other functions.
YC has FC-FEC enabled for 25 Gbps and supports DAC connectivity up to 3 m according to the datasheet. This statement is not a complete cable compatibility list. Validate the selected optics or DAC against the Cisco Optics Matrix and its minimum software requirements.
Forwarding Architecture, Fabric Design, and Buffering
Supported architectural options include VXLAN EVPN with hierarchical multisite support, three-tier BGP IPv6 fabrics, and segment routing for MPLS forwarding without RSVP Traffic Engineering. Listed routing protocols include BGP, OSPF, EIGRP, RIPv2, PIM-SM, SSM, and MSDP.
All three models provide:
| Hardware resource | Specification |
|---|---|
| CPU | 4 cores |
| System memory | 24 GB |
| SSD | 64 GB |
| System buffer | 40 MB |
| Management interfaces | 1 RJ-45 and 1 SFP |
| USB / RS-232 | 1 / 1 |
| Queues | 8 |
The shared 40-MB system buffer should not be interpreted as a per-port allocation.
Approximate Fair Dropping (AFD) uses Elephant Trap (ETRAP) to distinguish long-lived elephant flows from mice flows. ETRAP compares flow byte counts against a user-defined threshold. AFD exempts mice flows from its dropping algorithm while applying fairness treatment to elephant flows in the egress queue.
Dynamic Packet Prioritization separates mice and elephant flows into different queues, allowing independent buffer allocation and priority treatment for latency-sensitive mice flows. These mechanisms manage congestion; they do not eliminate the need to size uplinks.
For resilience, the platform supports vPC Layer 2 multipathing, 64-way ECMP, hot and cold patching, and hot-swappable PSUs and fans with stated N+1 redundancy. NX-OS uses separate routing-protocol processes and supports process restart without loss of state.
Scale Limits and Resource Qualification
The architecture supports up to 1 million shared forwarding entries and customizable ACL TCAM templates. Shared resources make simultaneous-scale validation essential.
| Resource | Datasheet value |
|---|---|
| LPM routes | 896,000 maximum |
| IP host entries | 896,000 maximum |
| MAC entries | 256,000 maximum |
| Multicast routes | 32,000 maximum |
| IGMP snooping groups | 8,000 shipping; 32,000 maximum |
| VRFs | 1,000 shipping; 16,000 maximum |
| Fabric extenders | 16 per switch |
| Ingress ACL entries | 4,000 per slice; 8,000 total |
| Egress ACL entries | 2,000 per slice; 4,000 total |
| VLANs | 4,096; 127 reserved |
| ECMP paths | 64 |
| Port channels / links per channel | 512 / 32 |
| Active SPAN sessions | 4 |
| RPVST VLAN instances | 3,967 |
| HSRP groups | 490 |
| NAT entries | 1,023 |
| MST instances | 64 |
| Tetration flow table | 64,000 raw entries |
Presales rule: Do not add route, host, and MAC maxima together as independently available capacity. Confirm the resource template, feature combination, software release, and verified scale. ACL totals span two forwarding slices; per-slice constraints remain relevant.
The datasheet explicitly directs readers to software release notes and the N9000 Verified Scalability Guide. Shipping values, hardware maxima, and roadmap statements are not interchangeable deployment commitments.
Software, Automation, and Licensing
| Model | Minimum ACI image | Minimum NX-OS image |
|---|---|---|
| N93180YC-EX | ACI-N9KDK9-11.3 | NXOS-703I4.2 |
| N93108TC-EX | ACI-N9KDK9-12.0 | NXOS-703I4.3 |
| N93180LC-EX | ACI-N9KDK9-12.2(1n) | NXOS-703I6.1 |
These are listed minimum images, not current release recommendations.
Automation facilities include Power On Auto Provisioning, Ansible, Chef, Puppet, SALT, native YANG, OpenConfig, RESTCONF, NETCONF, and JSON-based RPC over HTTP/HTTPS for CLI functions.
DCNM provides provisioning, topology visibility, compliance monitoring, and remediation capabilities. Nexus Data Broker supports TAP and SPAN aggregation. Tetration telemetry is exported directly from the ASIC every 100 milliseconds by default, covering flow information, inter-packet variation, and contextual information such as buffer utilization and drops.
Network Assurance Engine verifies policy intent against configuration and dynamic state without packet data. Its stated operational improvement claims should not replace project-specific acceptance criteria.
Default software includes Layer 2 security and management functions. Additional licenses are required for functions including Layer 3 IP unicast, multicast routing, and Nexus Data Broker. Subscription and perpetual licensing are available, but the source does not fully map feature entitlements to each tier.
| License SKU | Description |
|---|---|
| C1E1TN9300XF-3Y | ACI and NX-OS Essential subscription, 3 years |
| C1E1TN9300XF-5Y | ACI and NX-OS Essential subscription, 5 years |
| C1A1TN9300XF-3Y | ACI and NX-OS Advantage subscription, 3 years |
| C1A1TN9300XF-5Y | ACI and NX-OS Advantage subscription, 5 years |
| ACI-ES-XF | ACI Essential software license |
| ACI-AD-XF | ACI Advantage software license |
| NXOS-ES-XF | NX-OS Essential software license |
| NXOS-AD-XF | NX-OS Advantage software license |
All listed licenses target a 10/25/40G+ Nexus 9K leaf. Confirm actual feature entitlement rather than inferring it from the package name.
Power, Cooling, and Replaceable Component Matrix
| Power parameter | YC | TC | LC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical input draw | 210 W | 290 W | 220 W |
| Maximum input draw | 470 W | 499 W | 500 W |
| Heat dissipation | 1,604 BTU/hr | 1,703 BTU/hr | 1,706 BTU/hr |
| PSU positions | Up to 2 | Up to 2 | Up to 2 |
| Fans | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Listed PSU ratings | 500W AC, 650W AC, 930W DC, 1200W HVAC/HVDC | Same as YC | 500W AC, 930W DC, 1200W HVAC/HVDC |
Input ranges are 100 to 240V AC, 200 to 277V HVAC, -48 to -60V DC, and -240 to -380V HVDC. AC frequency is 50 to 60 Hz.
Typical and maximum draw refer to input from the power circuit. PSU ratings refer to output delivered inside the switch. Do not substitute PSU output ratings for circuit-load estimates or add both redundant PSU ratings as expected switch consumption.
| Component SKU | Description and source qualification |
|---|---|
| NXA-PAC-500W-PI | 500W AC, port-side intake; ordering table limits support to YC and TC |
| NXA-PAC-500W-PE | 500W AC, port-side exhaust; repeated with inconsistent applicability detail |
| NXA-PDC-930W-PI | 930W DC, port-side intake |
| NXA-PDC-930W-PE | 930W DC, port-side exhaust |
| N9K-PUV-1200W | 1200W universal HVAC/HVDC PSU, bidirectional airflow |
| NXA-FAN-30CFM-F | 30-CFM fan, port-side exhaust |
| NXA-FAN-30CFM-B | 30-CFM fan, port-side intake |
| NXK-ACC-KIT-1RU | Fixed-switch accessory kit with 4-post rack mounting |
The raw ordering table repeats NXA-PAC-500W-PE three times; the matrix consolidates that unique SKU. One row limits it to YC and TC, while other rows omit restrictions. Although the specifications list 500W AC for LC, the ordering data does not resolve LC applicability. Similarly, 650W AC is specified for YC and TC without a corresponding ordering SKU. Both issues require confirmation before quotation.
Environmental, Physical, Acoustic, and Reliability Requirements
All models measure 1.72 x 17.3 x 22.5 in. (4.4 x 43.9 x 57.1 cm), H x W x D. Account separately for cable routing and installation access; the source provides no clearance dimensions.
| Property | Specification |
|---|---|
| Operating temperature | 32 to 104 F (0 to 40 C) |
| Storage temperature | -40 to 158 F (-40 to 70 C) |
| Humidity | 5% to 95%, noncondensing |
| Altitude | 0 to 13,123 ft (0 to 4,000 m) |
| Airflow options | Port-side intake or exhaust |
| Model | Weight without PSUs or fans | MTBF | Acoustic levels |
|---|---|---|---|
| YC | 17.2 lb / 7.8 kg | 390,330 hours | 48.5 dBA at 40%; 64.9 at 70%; 77.8 at 100% fan speed |
| TC | 17.7 lb / 8.0 kg | 366,130 hours | 48.6 dBA at 40%; 65.2 at 70%; 76.5 at 100% |
| LC | 17.2 lb / 7.8 kg | 323,440 hours | 49.9 dBA at 50%; 66 at 70%; 73.9 at 100% |
Each listed PSU weighs 2.42 lb (1.1 kg); each fan tray weighs 0.26 lb (0.12 kg). Bare-chassis weights are not installed weights.
MTBF is not a warranty duration or guaranteed service life. Acoustic comparisons must retain their fan-speed conditions, particularly the LC’s different low-speed measurement point. Select airflow components to match the rack cooling plan.
The source lists Class A emissions standards, safety standards including UL/IEC/EN 60950-1, immunity standards, and NEBS without a stated level. RoHS-6 compliance includes exceptions for leaded BGA balls and lead press-fit connectors. Procurement requiring specific certifications should verify the exact listed standard and applicability.
Power-Cord Ordering Matrix
The following completes the unique ordering SKUs in the supplied text. No optics-module SKUs are provided.
| SKU | Published description |
|---|---|
| CAB-250V-10A-AR | Argentina, 250V 10A, 2.5 m |
| CAB-250V-10A-BR | Brazil, 250V 10A, 2.1 m |
| CAB-250V-10A-CN | PRC, 250V 10A, 2.5 m |
| CAB-250V-10A-ID | South Africa, 250V 10A, 2.5 m |
| CAB-250V-10A-IS | Israel, 250V 10A, 2.5 m |
| CAB-9K10A-AU | Australia, 250VAC 10A, 3112 plug, 2.5 m |
| CAB-9K10A-EU | EU, 250VAC 10A, CEE 7/7, 2.5 m |
| CAB-9K10A-IT | Italy, 250VAC 10A, CEI 23-16/VII, 2.5 m |
| CAB-9K10A-SW | Switzerland, 250VAC 10A, MP232, 2.5 m |
| CAB-9K10A-UK | UK, 250VAC 10A, BS1363, 13A fuse, 2.5 m |
| CAB-9K12A-NA | North America, 125VAC 13A, NEMA 5-15, 2.5 m |
| CAB-AC-L620-C13 | North America, NEMA L6-20-C13, 2.0 m |
| CAB-C13-C14-2M | C13-C14 jumper, 2 m |
| CAB-C13-CBN | C14-C13 cabinet jumper, 250VAC 10A, 0.7 m |
| CAB-IND-10A | India, 10A, 2.5 m |
| CAB-N5K6A-NA | North America, 200/240V 6A, 2.5 m |
| CAB-HVAC-SD-0.6M | HVAC cable for Anderson-LS-25 |
| CAB-HVAC-RT-0.6M | HVAC cable, right-angle connector for RF-LS-25 |
Match cords to the selected PSU and facility outlet rather than choosing solely by country label. The HVAC descriptions do not independently state length, despite the SKU suffixes.
Warranty, Services, and Engineering Handoff
The series carries a 1-year limited hardware warranty, including replacement with a 10-day turnaround from receipt of an RMA. This is not a stated next-business-day or four-hour replacement commitment.
Listed services include:
- Data Center Quick Start: Technical advice and deployment assistance.
- Data Center Accelerated Deployment: Planning, design, implementation, architectural high-level design, and operational-readiness guidance.
- Migration Service: Assistance migrating from Catalyst 6000 to N9000 switches.
- Product Support: Global 24-hour, 7-day support availability for associated hardware and software.
- Enhanced support: ACI solution support, SMARTnet, and Smart Net Total Care; the source qualifies Smart Net Total Care as applying to Cisco products only.
The datasheet does not specify service-contract SKUs, pricing, geographic replacement commitments, or detailed response SLAs. Support availability must not be confused with the included warranty entitlement.
Before purchase approval, document the chosen switch, port template, optics, licenses, verified scale, PSU compatibility, airflow direction, cord selection, and required replacement coverage. Outstanding source ambiguities, particularly LC power-supply applicability and missing 650W ordering identifiers, should remain explicit quotation exceptions until resolved.