N9K-C93180YC-EX – 48×1/10/25G Fiber Ports – 6×40/100G QSFP28
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N9K-C93180YC-EX Description
N9K-C93180YC-EX is a Cisco Nexus 9300-EX Series 1RU fixed-port data center switch for leaf, top-of-rack, or high-density server access roles. It provides 48 1/10/25G fiber downlink ports, six 40/100G QSFP28 uplink ports, 3.6 Tbps switching bandwidth, more than 2.6 Bpps forwarding, sub-microsecond latency, RJ-45 and SFP management ports, four fan modules, and port-side intake or port-side exhaust airflow options. The switch brings dense 25G access and 100G uplinks into Nexus 9000 data center fabrics.
Quick Specs
|
Parameter |
Specification |
|---|---|
|
Product SKU |
N9K-C93180YC-EX |
|
Device Type |
Fixed-port data center switch |
|
Form Factor |
1RU |
|
Downlink Ports |
48 × 1/10/25G fiber ports |
|
Uplink Ports |
6 × 40/100G QSFP28 |
|
Switching Bandwidth |
3.6 Tbps |
|
Forwarding Rate |
Over 2.6 Bpps |
|
Latency |
Less than 1 microsecond |
|
Management Ports |
1 × RJ-45 and 1 × SFP |
|
Typical Power Consumption |
210W |
|
Maximum Power Consumption |
470W |
|
Fan Modules |
4 |
|
Airflow Options |
Port-side intake or port-side exhaust |
Product Performance
Key Features
N9K-C93180YC-EX provides 48 server-facing fiber ports for 1G, 10G, and 25G Ethernet. It fits rack designs using Cisco-supported SFP, SFP+, SFP28 optics, DAC, or AOC cabling instead of RJ-45 copper.
The 6 QSFP28 uplink ports support 40G and 100G fabric links, so engineers can connect the access layer to spine, aggregation, or core switches without a separate uplink module.
The switch belongs to the Cisco Nexus 9300-EX platform and can run in NX-OS or ACI mode. Buyers should confirm the intended operating model, minimum software release, and license requirement before ordering.
Cisco lists latency of less than 1 microsecond for this switch, which is relevant when the access layer carries storage, virtualization, or east-west application traffic.
The platform uses four fan modules and up to two power supply modules. Airflow direction must match across fan and power modules, which makes PSU and fan selection part of the quote rather than an afterthought.
Procurement teams should quote N9K-C93180YC-EX with the correct optics, airflow direction, PSU type, rack accessory kit, software mode, and support coverage rather than treating the base switch as a complete deployment kit.
Application Scenarios
Use N9K-C93180YC-EX when the rack access layer needs 1G, 10G, or 25G fiber server connectivity. It fits environments where connected devices use fiber NICs or Cisco-supported DAC/AOC cabling rather than RJ-45 copper.
Choose this SKU when the existing design standardizes on Cisco Nexus 9300-EX hardware and the project requires matching operational behavior, optics, cabling, and software mode.
Deploy N9K-C93180YC-EX when the access layer must keep 1G/10G/25G server-facing flexibility while uplinks move to 40G or 100G QSFP28. Before quoting, confirm optic compatibility, airflow, and power supply choice.
Product Comparison
|
Parameter |
N9K-C93180YC-EX |
N9K-C93108TC-EX |
N9K-C93180LC-EX | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Form Factor |
1RU |
1RU |
1RU |
1RU |
|
Downlink Port Count |
48 |
48 |
48 |
Up to 32 QSFP+ or 18 QSFP28 |
|
Downlink Interface Type |
SFP/SFP+/SFP28 optics |
SFP28 |
RJ-45 BASE-T |
QSFP+ or QSFP28 |
|
Downlink Speeds |
1G/10G/25G |
1G/10G/25G |
100M/1G/10G |
40G/50G or 100G |
|
QSFP28 Port Count |
6 |
6 |
6 |
Up to 18 |
|
Uplink Speeds |
40G/100G QSFP28 |
40G/100G QSFP28 |
40G/100G QSFP28 |
100G QSFP28 |
|
Switching Bandwidth |
3.6 Tbps |
3.6 Tbps |
2.16 Tbps |
3.6 Tbps |
|
Forwarding Rate |
Over 2.6 Bpps |
1.2 Bpps |
Over 1.6 Bpps |
Over 2.6 Bpps |
- N9K-C93180YC-EX fits 1/10/25G fiber access on the Nexus 9300-EX platform when the buyer needs this EX hardware profile.
- N9K-C93180YC-FX3 is the closer comparison when the project can use a newer Nexus 9300-FX3 platform.
- N9K-C93108TC-EX should only be compared when the access-side requirement is RJ-45 10GBASE-T copper.
- Review N9K-C93180LC-EX alongside N9K-C93180YC-EX for the adjacent technical comparison points.
Selection Guide
1. Choose N9K-C93180YC-EX for 1/10/25G fiber access
Select N9K-C93180YC-EX when the design requires 48 server-facing fiber ports with 1G, 10G, and 25G support, plus fixed 40/100G QSFP28 uplinks for data center fabric connectivity.
2. Choose N9K-C93180YC-FX3 for FX3 platform requirements
If the buyer is not locked to the EX platform, compare N9K-C93180YC-FX3 for FX3 hardware resources, software planning, and platform standardization.
3. Choose N9K-C93108TC-EX only for copper access designs
If connected devices use RJ-45 copper and 10GBASE-T access rather than fiber NICs or optical cabling, N9K-C93108TC-EX is the closer EX-platform comparison. Do not substitute it when the project requires 25G server-facing fiber ports.
4. Verify optics, airflow, power, and software mode before ordering
Before quote or stock confirmation, verify supported SFP/SFP+/SFP28 and QSFP28 optics or cables, airflow direction, AC/DC/HVAC power supply type, NX-OS or ACI mode, rack accessory kit, and support coverage.
Ordering Checklist
|
Check Item |
What to Confirm |
Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
|
Access Port Media |
Cisco-supported SFP, SFP+, SFP28 optics, DAC, or AOC for 1G/10G/25G downlinks |
Prevents mismatch with server NICs and cabling |
|
Uplink Connectivity |
QSFP28 optics, DAC, or AOC for 40G or 100G uplinks |
Ensures spine or aggregation links are ready at deployment |
|
Airflow Direction |
Port-side intake or port-side exhaust for fans and power supplies |
Mixed airflow can create cooling and installation issues |
|
Power Supply Type |
650W AC, 930W DC, or 1200W HVAC/HVDC power supply choice |
Power input and rack power design must match the site |
|
Power Supply Matching |
Use the same PSU type across installed power supplies |
Cisco installation guidance does not allow mixing AC, DC, and HVAC/HVDC PSUs |
|
Software Mode |
NX-OS or ACI mode and minimum software requirement |
Avoids deployment mismatch between switch hardware and fabric design |
Optional Add-ons
|
Model |
Description |
|---|---|
|
NXA-PAC-650W-PI |
Cisco Nexus 9000 650W AC power supply, port-side intake |
|
NXA-PAC-650W-PE |
Cisco Nexus 9000 650W AC power supply, port-side exhaust |
|
NXA-PDC-930W-PI |
Cisco Nexus 9000 930W DC power supply, port-side intake |
|
NXA-PDC-930W-PE |
Cisco Nexus 9000 930W DC power supply, port-side exhaust |
|
N9K-PUV-1200W |
Cisco Nexus 9300 1200W universal HVAC/HVDC power supply |
|
NXA-FAN-30CFM-F |
Cisco Nexus 30CFM fan module, port-side exhaust airflow |
|
NXA-FAN-30CFM-B |
Cisco Nexus 30CFM fan module, port-side intake airflow |
|
NXK-ACC-KIT-1RU |
Cisco Nexus fixed accessory kit with 4-post rack mount kit |
Specifications
| Parameter | Specification | Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product ID | N9K-C93180YC-EX | Device Type | Fixed-port data center switch |
| Form Factor | 1RU | Deployment Role | Top-of-rack, middle-of-rack, and end-of-rack deployments |
| Software Mode | Cisco NX-OS or Cisco ACI mode | Minimum NX-OS Image | NXOS-703I4.2 |
| Minimum ACI Image | ACI-N9KDK9-11.3 | Switching Bandwidth | 3.6 Tbps |
| Forwarding Rate | Over 2.6 Bpps | Latency | Less than 1 microsecond |
| Downlink Ports | 48 × 1/10/25G fiber ports | Downlink Speed Configuration | Per-port 1G, 10G, or 25G Ethernet |
| Uplink Ports | 6 × 40/100G QSFP28 | CPU | 4 cores |
| System Memory | 24GB | SSD Drive | 64GB |
| System Buffer | 40MB | Management Ports | 2 ports: 1 RJ-45 and 1 SFP |
| USB Ports | 1 | RS-232 Serial Ports | 1 |
| Power Supply Slots | 2 | Power Redundancy | 1+1 with two power supply modules |
| Power supply selection | NXA-PAC-650W-PI 650W AC, NXA-PAC-650W-PE 650W AC, NXA-PDC-930W-PI 930W DC, NXA-PDC-930W-PE 930W DC, or N9K-PUV-1200W 1200W universal supply selected by input type | Power Supply Matching Requirement | Installed power supplies must be the same type |
| Fan and PSU Airflow Requirement | Fan and power supply modules must use the same airflow direction | Typical Power Consumption | 210W |
| Maximum Power Consumption | 470W | Heat Dissipation Requirement | 1603.706 BTU/hr |
| Input Voltage AC | 100 to 240V | Input Voltage HVAC | 200 to 277V |
| Input Voltage DC | -48 to -60V | Input Voltage HVDC | -240 to -380V |
| AC Frequency | 50 to 60 Hz | Fan Modules | 4 |
| Supported Fan Modules | NXA-FAN-30CFM-F, NXA-FAN-30CFM-B | Airflow | Port-side intake or port-side exhaust |
| Airflow Matching Requirement | Match airflow direction across fans and power supplies | Chassis Width | 17.5 in (44.5 cm) |
| Chassis Depth | 22.5 in (57.1 cm) | Chassis Height | 1.72 in (4.4 cm) |
| Chassis Weight Without Fans or PSUs | 17.2 lb (7.8 kg) | Fan Module Weight | 0.26 lb (0.12 kg) |
| Power Supply Weight | 2.42 lb (1.1 kg) | Operating Temperature | 32 to 104F (0 to 40C) |
| Nonoperating Temperature | -40 to 158F (-40 to 70C) | Operating Relative Humidity | 5 to 90% |
| Nonoperating Relative Humidity | 5 to 95% | Operating Altitude | 0 to 13,123 ft (0 to 4000 m) |
| RoHS Compliance | Yes | MTBF | 390,330 hours |
| Maximum LPM Routes | 896,000 | Maximum IP Host Entries | 896,000 |
| Maximum MAC Address Entries | 256,000 | Maximum Multicast Routes | 32,000 |
| IGMP Snooping Groups | Shipping 8,000, maximum 32,000 | Fabric Extenders per Switch | 16 |
| ACL Entries | 4000 ingress and 2000 egress per forwarding slice | Total ACL Entries | 8000 ingress and 4000 egress |
| Maximum VLANs | 4096 with 127 reserved | VRF Instances | Shipping 1,000, maximum 16,000 |
| Maximum ECMP Paths | 64 | Maximum Port Channels | 512 |
| Maximum Links in a Port Channel | 32 | Active SPAN Sessions | 4 |
| RPVST VLAN Instances | 3967 | HSRP Groups | 490 |
| NAT Entries | 1023 | MST Instances | 64 |
| Tetration Flow Table Size | 64,000 | Number of Queues | 8 |
| Rack Accessory Kit | NXK-ACC-KIT-1RU | Warranty | 1-year limited hardware warranty |
| Rack Accessory Kit | NXK-ACC-KIT-1RU |
Get More Information
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