Cisco N9K-C93108TC vs N9K-C93180YC: FX3, FX3P, EX and FX Model Comparison

Choose N9K-C93108TC-FX3 if you need copper BASE-T downlinks without PoE. Choose N9K-C93108TC-FX3P if you need copper downlinks with PoE. Choose N9K-C93180YC-FX3 for most new 25G SFP28 leaf deployments. Treat N9K-C93180YC-EX and N9K-C93180YC-FX mainly as older-generation or installed-base options, not default choices for new builds.

The real decision is not just TC vs YC or EX vs FX vs FX3. It is whether your rack needs copper, PoE, or SFP28 server-facing connectivity — and whether an older 93180YC generation still makes sense compared with the newer FX3 path. Cisco describes the Nexus 9300-FX3 Series as the latest generation of access switches built on the earlier 9300-FX Series, while Cisco’s support page lists the Nexus 93180YC-EX as end of sale and shows Nexus 93180YC-FX3 as its replacement.  

Quick Answer: Which Model Should You Choose?

Use Case	Best Starting Point	Why
Copper BASE-T downlinks	N9K-C93108TC-FX3	Best fit when RJ45 / copper connectivity is required without PoE
Copper + PoE	N9K-C93108TC-FX3P	Adds PoE capability on copper ports
25G SFP28 server-facing leaf	N9K-C93180YC-FX3	Best modern SFP28 direction in this comparison
Existing 93180YC estate refresh	N9K-C93180YC-FX / EX	May fit legacy continuity or budget-driven projects
New deployment	N9K-C93180YC-FX3 or N9K-C93108TC-FX3	Depends on SFP28 vs copper requirement
Lowest long-term risk	N9K-C93180YC-FX3	Stronger current-generation 25G leaf path

For most new data center leaf purchases, the shortlist usually narrows quickly: 93108TC-FX3 / FX3P if you need copper, and 93180YC-FX3 if you need SFP28. The older 93180YC-EX and 93180YC-FX may still appear in installed-base refreshes, but they should be checked carefully for lifecycle, support, and replacement risk before purchase. Cisco has published EoL information for C93180YC-FX / C93108TC-FX fixed switches, and the 93180YC-EX support page identifies FX3 as the replacement.  

Model Overview: N9K-C93108TC-FX3, FX3P, 93180YC-EX, FX and FX3

Comparison Point	N9K-C93108TC-FX3	N9K-C93108TC-FX3P	N9K-C93180YC-EX	N9K-C93180YC-FX	N9K-C93180YC-FX3
Downlink direction	Copper BASE-T	Copper BASE-T	SFP / SFP28	SFP / SFP28	SFP / SFP28
Uplink direction	QSFP uplinks	QSFP uplinks	QSFP uplinks	QSFP uplinks	QSFP uplinks
Platform generation	FX3	FX3P	EX	FX	FX3
Key selection point	Copper without PoE	Copper with PoE	Older 25G leaf option	Mid-generation 25G leaf option	Current-generation 25G leaf direction
Best-fit buyer	Needs RJ45 / BASE-T	Needs RJ45 + PoE	Existing estate / legacy continuity	Existing estate or cost-sensitive shortlist	New 25G SFP28 leaf deployment
New deployment fit	Good if copper is required	Good if copper + PoE is required	Weak	Limited / case-by-case	Strong

The models should not be compared as if they were five equal alternatives. 93108TC and 93180YC solve different media requirements. FX3P solves a PoE requirement. EX, FX, and FX3 represent different platform generations and lifecycle positions.

N9K-C93108TC vs N9K-C93180YC: Copper or SFP28?

Comparison Point	N9K-C93108TC Direction	N9K-C93180YC Direction
Downlink type	Copper BASE-T	SFP / SFP28
Typical rack design	RJ45 / copper-heavy rack	DAC / optical / SFP28 server-facing rack
Better for	Copper servers, appliances, mixed devices	10/25G server-facing leaf
Cabling consideration	Copper cable continuity	DAC / optics planning
Typical buyer question	Do I need RJ45 copper ports?	Do I need 25G SFP28 connectivity?
Recommended when	Existing copper environment matters	Newer 25G leaf design matters

Choose the N9K-C93108TC direction when your rack is built around RJ45 copper, BASE-T connectivity, or mixed copper devices. This can be useful in environments where the cabling plant, servers, appliances, or special rack devices still require copper.

Choose the N9K-C93180YC direction when your design is built around SFP / SFP28 server-facing connectivity. This is usually the cleaner path for modern 10/25G data center leaf designs, especially when DAC, AOC, or optical planning is already part of the rack design.

The mistake is treating TC vs YC as a small naming difference. In practice, it is a rack-media decision: copper downlinks or SFP28 downlinks.

N9K-C93108TC-FX3 vs N9K-C93108TC-FX3P

Comparison Point	N9K-C93108TC-FX3	N9K-C93108TC-FX3P
Downlink direction	Copper BASE-T	Copper BASE-T
Downlink speed profile	100M / 1G / 2.5G / 5G / 10G BASE-T	100M / 1G / 2.5G / 5G / 10G BASE-T
PoE support	No	Yes
Best fit	Copper leaf / mixed copper rack	Copper rack where PoE is required
Typical deployment	10G copper servers, appliances, copper devices	PoE devices, special edge racks, OT/IoT-style deployments
Buying logic	Choose when PoE is not needed	Choose only when PoE is a real requirement
Main risk	Wrong choice if PoE is required later	Overbuying if PoE is not needed

The key difference between N9K-C93108TC-FX3 and N9K-C93108TC-FX3P is PoE. Cisco’s hardware installation guide for the 93108TC-FX3P states that PoE is supported on ports 1–48, while the switch also supports 48 copper downlink ports and six QSFP28 uplink ports.  

That does not mean FX3P is automatically the better choice. If your deployment only needs copper data connectivity, N9K-C93108TC-FX3 is the more direct option. If your Nexus deployment must power supported devices from the switch, N9K-C93108TC-FX3P becomes the right model.

In other words, FX3P is not simply a “higher-end FX3.” It is a PoE-capable variant for a specific requirement. Buy it when PoE matters; do not pay for PoE just because the suffix looks more advanced.

N9K-C93180YC-EX vs N9K-C93180YC-FX vs N9K-C93180YC-FX3

Comparison Point	N9K-C93180YC-EX	N9K-C93180YC-FX	N9K-C93180YC-FX3
Platform generation	EX	FX	FX3
Downlink direction	SFP / SFP28	SFP / SFP28	SFP / SFP28
Typical role	Older 25G leaf option	Mid-generation 25G leaf option	Current-generation 25G leaf direction
Best fit	Existing estate / legacy continuity	Existing estate or cost-sensitive shortlist	New deployment / upgrade preference
New deployment suitability	Weak	Limited / case-by-case	Strong
Lifecycle consideration	Must be checked carefully	Must be checked carefully	Better long-term direction
Buying logic	Only if legacy fit matters	If price and lifecycle justify it	Default recommendation for new 25G leaf shortlist

This is the most important commercial decision in the article. EX, FX, and FX3 are not minor naming changes. They represent different Nexus 93180YC generations, and that affects lifecycle risk, replacement planning, software support expectations, and long-term purchasing logic.

Cisco describes the Nexus 9300-FX3 Series as the latest generation of access switches, built on the 9300-FX Series. Cisco’s support page for the Nexus 93180YC-EX shows the product as end of sale and lists Nexus 93180YC-FX3 Switch as the replacement. Cisco has also announced end-of-sale and end-of-life milestones for C93180YC-FX / C93108TC-FX fixed switches.  

For a new 25G SFP28 leaf deployment, N9K-C93180YC-FX3 is the strongest starting point in this comparison. It gives buyers a cleaner current-generation path than EX or FX.

For an existing estate, the older N9K-C93180YC-EX or N9K-C93180YC-FX may still make sense if you need consistency with installed hardware, spare compatibility, budget control, or a specific legacy environment. But those models should not be selected casually for new builds without checking lifecycle, support, and replacement strategy.

Copper vs SFP28 vs PoE: How to Match the Model to Your Rack Design

Rack Requirement	Better Direction	Recommended Model
RJ45 copper devices	Copper	N9K-C93108TC-FX3
RJ45 copper + PoE	Copper + PoE	N9K-C93108TC-FX3P
25G server-facing leaf	SFP28	N9K-C93180YC-FX3
Existing 93180YC deployment	SFP28 legacy continuity	N9K-C93180YC-FX / EX may still appear
New SFP28 Nexus leaf	Current-generation SFP28	N9K-C93180YC-FX3

The right model is usually decided by rack media first: copper, copper with PoE, or SFP28. Generation comes next.

If your rack is full of RJ45 copper endpoints, start with 93108TC. If those copper endpoints also need PoE, use 93108TC-FX3P. If your rack is designed for modern 10/25G SFP28 server-facing connectivity, start with 93180YC-FX3.

This is also where many buyers make the wrong comparison. They ask whether 93108TC is “better” than 93180YC, when the better question is: what does the rack actually need to connect to?

Which Model Should You Choose by Scenario?

Scenario	N9K-C93108TC-FX3	N9K-C93108TC-FX3P	N9K-C93180YC-EX	N9K-C93180YC-FX	N9K-C93180YC-FX3
10G copper rack	Recommended	Only if PoE needed	Not suitable	Not suitable	Not suitable
PoE required	Not suitable	Recommended	Not suitable	Not suitable	Not suitable
25G SFP28 leaf	Not suitable	Not suitable	Legacy only	Possible legacy option	Recommended
New deployment	Copper-specific only	Copper + PoE only	Avoid unless necessary	Use carefully	Recommended
Existing estate refresh	Possible	Possible	Possible	Possible	Strong upgrade direction
Lowest long-term risk	Depends on copper need	Depends on PoE need	Weak	Medium	Strong
Cost-sensitive legacy match	Case-by-case	Case-by-case	Possible	Possible	Less likely if budget-constrained

For a clean new design, the recommendation is simple:

Use 93108TC-FX3 if the rack needs copper. Use 93108TC-FX3P if the rack needs copper and PoE. Use 93180YC-FX3 if the rack needs 25G SFP28.

For a legacy refresh, the answer can be more flexible. Older 93180YC-EX or 93180YC-FX models may still be considered, but only when the lifecycle, support plan, budget, and installed-base consistency justify the risk.

If you need to browse availability or request a quote, you can review our Nexus 9000 Series Switches category.

Common Mistakes When Comparing These N9K Models

Mistake	Why It Matters
Comparing TC and YC only by model number	They represent different downlink media directions.
Choosing FX3P without needing PoE	PoE should be a real requirement, not just a “better suffix.”
Treating EX, FX and FX3 as minor revisions	They represent different platform generations and lifecycle considerations.
Choosing EX / FX for a new project without lifecycle review	Lower upfront cost may create long-term support and replacement risk.
Ignoring optics, DAC, copper cabling and rack design	The switch is only part of the real deployment cost.
Using campus switch logic for Nexus models	These are data center switching platforms, so rack media and leaf role matter.

The biggest mistake is comparing these models as if they were only different versions of the same switch. They are not. 93108TC and 93180YC serve different cabling directions, FX3P solves a PoE requirement, and EX / FX / FX3 reflect different platform generations.

Our Recommendation

Choose N9K-C93108TC-FX3 if you need copper BASE-T downlinks and do not need PoE.

Choose N9K-C93108TC-FX3P if you need copper downlinks plus PoE. The value of this model is clear only when PoE is a real requirement.

Choose N9K-C93180YC-FX3 for most new 25G SFP28 leaf deployments. It is the strongest current-generation direction in this comparison and the cleanest upgrade path from older 93180YC models.

Consider N9K-C931180YC-FX only when price, availability, lifecycle, and existing environment requirements justify it. It should not be the default first choice for a new 25G leaf build.

Treat N9K-C93180YC-EX mainly as an installed-base or legacy-continuity option, especially because Cisco’s support page lists it as end of sale and points to 93180YC-FX3 as the replacement.  

If you still need to decide whether these fixed Nexus switches fit your broader leaf, spine, or border design, go back to the Cisco Nexus 9000 selection guide. If you are still deciding between campus switching and data center switching, start with Cisco Catalyst vs Nexus switches.

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