N9K-X9732C-EX – 32x100G QSFP28 – Breakout Capable – Nexus 9500 Line Card
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N9K-X9732C-EX Description
N9K-X9732C-EX is a Cisco Nexus 9500 Cloud Scale 100G line card for Nexus 9504, 9508, and 9516 chassis. It provides 32 100G QSFP28 ports, NX-OS and ACI spine operating modes, 6.4 Tbps switching capacity, 4.3 Bpps forwarding, 160 MB packet buffer, 430W typical power, 720W maximum power, and a four-fabric-module requirement for maximum bandwidth. The line card adds high-density 100G capacity to Nexus 9500 modular chassis deployments.
Quick Specs
|
Parameter |
Specification |
|---|---|
|
SKU |
N9K-X9732C-EX |
|
Product Type |
100G line card |
|
Supported Chassis |
Nexus 9504, Nexus 9508, Nexus 9516 |
|
Ports |
32 x 100G QSFP28 |
|
Port Form Factor |
QSFP28 |
|
Breakout Support |
100G, 50G, 40G, 25G, 10G, 1G modes depending on optics and configuration |
|
Operating Modes |
Cisco NX-OS and Cisco ACI spine |
|
Switching Capacity |
6.4 Tbps |
|
Forwarding Rate |
4.3 Bpps |
|
Packet Buffer |
160 MB |
|
Fabric Modules Required |
4 for maximum bandwidth |
|
Typical Power |
430 W |
|
Maximum Power |
720 W |
Product Performance
Key Features
N9K-X9732C-EX adds 32 100G QSFP28 interfaces to a Nexus 9500 chassis, making it useful when the project needs modular 100G capacity rather than a fixed 1RU switch.
Each port supports multiple breakout modes, including 2x50G, 4x25G, 4x10G, and 1×1/10G. Engineers should confirm optics, breakout cables, and software release support before quoting a mixed-speed deployment.
Cisco lists N9K-X9732C-EX for both Cisco NX-OS and Cisco ACI spine use. This makes it relevant for organizations running Nexus 9500 modular cores, aggregation layers, or ACI spine fabrics.
The line card requires four compatible fabric modules for maximum bandwidth. Buyers should confirm the chassis model and fabric module type before treating the line card as a drop-in upgrade.
This line card is not a standalone switch. Procurement teams should confirm chassis model, fabric module generation, software mode, optics, breakout cables, power budget, and service requirements before purchase.
N9K-X9732C-EX is most useful when the buyer already owns or is maintaining a Nexus 9504, Nexus 9508, or Nexus 9516 chassis. New builds should also evaluate newer 100G line-card alternatives.
Application Scenarios
Use N9K-X9732C-EX when an existing Nexus 9500 chassis needs additional 100G QSFP28 ports for aggregation uplinks, service aggregation, or high-speed interconnects. It solves the problem of adding 100G density without replacing the modular chassis.
Choose this line card when the design requires Nexus 9500 ACI spine support and the chassis, fabric modules, optics, and software release are already aligned with N9K-X9732C-EX support. This is a compatibility-driven purchase rather than a generic 100G switch choice.
Use N9K-X9732C-EX when an installed Nexus 9500 environment must keep the same 32-port 100G line-card design or needs additional 100G capacity in a compatible chassis.
Product Comparison
|
Parameter |
N9K-X9732C-EX |
N9K-X9736C-FX |
N9K-X9736C-EX | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Product Type |
Cloud-scale 100G line card |
Cloud-scale 100G line card |
Cloud-scale 100G line card |
Cloud-scale 100G line card |
|
Port Count |
32 |
32 |
36 |
36 |
|
Port Form Factor |
QSFP28 |
QSFP28 |
QSFP28 |
QSFP28 |
|
Cisco NX-OS Support |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Cisco ACI Spine Support |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
No |
|
MACSec Support |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
N+1 Fabric Module Redundancy |
No |
Yes |
No |
No |
|
FM Required for Maximum Bandwidth |
4 |
4 |
5 |
4 |
|
Performance |
6.4 Tbps |
6.4 Tbps |
7.2 Tbps |
6.4 Tbps |
|
Forwarding Rate |
4.3 bpps |
2.16 bpps |
2.4 bpps |
4.9 bpps |
|
Packet Buffer |
160 MB |
160 MB |
160 MB |
160 MB |
|
Typical Power |
430 W |
520 W |
607 W |
632 W |
|
Maximum Power |
720 W |
840 W |
900 W |
792 W |
- Choose N9K-X9732C-EX when the installed Nexus 9500 design needs 32 100G QSFP28 ports with NX-OS or ACI spine support.
- Compare N9K-X9732C-FX when MACSec or N+1 fabric redundancy is required and ACI spine support is not the deciding factor.
- Compare N9K-X9736C-FX when the project needs 36 100G ports and MACSec support.
- Avoid treating any of these line cards as standalone switches; chassis, fabric modules, optics, and software support must be validated together. Related SKU checks: N9K-X9736C-EX.
Selection Guide
1. Choose N9K-X9732C-EX for existing Nexus 9500 100G expansion
Select N9K-X9732C-EX when the project already uses a Nexus 9504, Nexus 9508, or Nexus 9516 chassis and needs 32 QSFP28 100G ports with Cisco NX-OS or ACI spine support.
2. Choose an FX alternative when MACSec or more 100G ports are required
If the design needs MACSec support, N+1 fabric module redundancy, or 36-port 100G density, compare N9K-X9732C-FX or N9K-X9736C-FX before quoting N9K-X9732C-EX.
3. Verify fabric modules before ordering
Confirm that the chassis has the correct fabric modules for maximum bandwidth. Cisco lists four fabric modules as required for maximum bandwidth with N9K-X9732C-EX.
4. Confirm optics, breakout, and software support
Breakout capability depends on optics or breakout cables and software support. Check the Cisco optics compatibility matrix and the relevant Cisco NX-OS or ACI release notes before deployment.
Ordering Checklist
|
Check Item |
What to Confirm |
Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
|
Chassis Compatibility |
Nexus 9504, Nexus 9508, or Nexus 9516 chassis |
N9K-X9732C-EX is a line card, not a standalone switch |
|
Fabric Modules |
Four compatible fabric modules for maximum bandwidth |
Fabric design determines whether the line card can operate at its intended capacity |
|
Operating Mode |
Cisco NX-OS or Cisco ACI spine |
Deployment mode affects feature and release planning |
|
Optics and Breakout Cables |
QSFP28 optics, breakout cables, and supported port modes |
Breakout support requires the correct media and software support |
|
Alternative Line Card |
N9K-X9732C-FX, N9K-X9736C-FX, or another approved 100G line card |
Alternative choice can affect MACSec, port count, ACI support, and fabric planning |
Specifications
| Parameter | Specification | Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|---|---|
| SKU | N9K-X9732C-EX | Product Type | Cloud-scale 100G line card |
| Line Card Description | Cisco Nexus 9500 32p 100G QSFP cloud-scale line card | Supported Chassis | Nexus 9504, Nexus 9508, Nexus 9516 |
| Ports | 32 x 100G QSFP28 | Port Form Factor | QSFP28 |
| Breakout Capability | 1x100G, 2x50G, 1x40G, 4x25G, 4x10G, 1×1/10G | Cisco NX-OS Support | Yes |
| Cisco ACI Spine Support | Yes | MACSec Support | No |
| N+1 Fabric Module Redundancy | No | FM Required for Maximum Bandwidth | 4 |
| Performance | 6.4 Tbps | Forwarding Rate | 4.3 bpps |
| Packet Buffer | 160 MB | Weight | 12.13 lb (5.5 kg) |
| Typical Power | 430 W | Maximum Power | 720 W |
| MTBF | 481,470 hours | Hot Swappable | Yes |
| Airflow | Port-side intake | FM-G Compatibility | C9504-FM-G and C9508-FM-G support Cisco ACI spine and Cisco NX-OS |
| FM-E Compatibility | C9504-FM-E and C9508-FM-E support Cisco ACI spine and Cisco NX-OS | C9516-FM-E Compatibility | Cisco NX-OS |
| FM-E2 Compatibility | C9508-FM-E2 and C9516-FM-E2 support Cisco ACI spine and Cisco NX-OS | Ordering Part Number | N9K-X9732C-EX (=) |
| Warranty | 1-year limited hardware warranty |
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