N9K-C9336C-FX2
Data-center leaf or spine switch
N9K-C9332C
Data-center spine switch
Cisco switch comparison
N9K-C9336C-FX2 vs N9K-C9332C
N9K-C9336C-FX2 offers 36 QSFP28 ports, flexible 1/10/25/40/50/100G breakout and 7.2 Tbps of switching capacity. N9K-C9332C is a 32-port 40/100G spine platform with 6.4 Tbps and a higher published forwarding-rate figure. Compare the required breakout pattern, route and MAC scale, NX-OS release and traffic profile; the two forwarding figures should not be used without confirming that Cisco measured them under the same conditions.
2models compared
67specs shown for every model
26differences found
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At-a-glance comparison
Key performance and configuration differences
Start with the differences that have the greatest effect on capacity, connectivity, software, power and deployment fit.
N9K-C9336C-FX2
36
N9K-C9332C
32
N9K-C9336C-FX2
36 x 1/10/25/40/50/100G QSFP28 with breakout
N9K-C9332C
32 x 40/100G QSFP28
N9K-C9336C-FX2
7,200 Gbps
N9K-C9332C
6,400 Gbps
N9K-C9336C-FX2
2,400 Mpps
N9K-C9332C
4,400 Mpps
N9K-C9336C-FX2
40/100G QSFP28 with 1/10/25/50G breakout
N9K-C9332C
40/100G QSFP28
Buying decision
How to choose between N9K-C9336C-FX2 and N9K-C9332C
Review the differences in this order to identify the model that best fits the intended deployment.
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01
Ports and uplinks
Match access media, port count and speed first, then confirm that the uplink design fits the distribution layer.
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02
PoE and power
Total the power required by connected devices and verify the PoE standard, budget, power supplies and redundancy.
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03
Performance and software
Compare forwarding, stacking and scale in the intended topology, then confirm the license tier and software release.
Before ordering
Confirm the exact Product ID, license tier, power supplies, accessories and regional requirements.
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Detailed comparison
Full specification comparison
| Comparison parameter | ||
|---|---|---|
| Product ID | N9K-C9336C-FX2 | N9K-C9332C |
| Product and ordering | ||
| Product Type | Cisco Nexus 9300 Series fixed data-center switch | Cisco Nexus 9300 Series fixed data-center switch |
| Form Factor | 1RU | 1RU |
| Switch Role | Data-center leaf or spine switch | Data-center spine switch |
| Network License | Cisco Data Center Networking Essentials, Advantage or Premier tier | Cisco Data Center Networking Essentials, Advantage or Premier tier |
| Configuration, licensing and management | ||
| Management Model | Cisco Nexus Dashboard; Cisco NX-OS CLI and APIs; Cisco APIC in ACI mode | Cisco Nexus Dashboard; Cisco NX-OS CLI and APIs; Cisco APIC in ACI mode |
| Ports and interfaces | ||
| Downlink Port Count | 36 | 32 |
| Access / Downlink Ports | 36 x 1/10/25/40/50/100G QSFP28 with breakout | 32 x 40/100G QSFP28 |
| Downlink Type | 40/100G QSFP28 with 1/10/25/50G breakout | 40/100G QSFP28 |
| Uplink Interfaces | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Maximum Uplink Speed | 100 Gbps | 100 Gbps |
| Supported Network Modules | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Management Ports | 1 x 10/100/1000BASE-T RJ-45 and 1 x 1G SFP unless model table states otherwise | 1 x 10/100/1000BASE-T RJ-45 and 1 x 1G SFP unless model table states otherwise |
| Console Ports | 1 x RS-232 serial console | 1 x RS-232 serial console |
| USB Ports | 1 x USB port | 1 x USB port |
| PoE-capable Ports | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Connector Types | Model-specific RJ-45, SFP28, QSFP28 and/or QSFP-DD interfaces | Model-specific RJ-45, SFP28, QSFP28 and/or QSFP-DD interfaces |
| Total System Ports | 36 | 34 |
| Performance and scale | ||
| Switching Capacity (Standalone) | 7,200 Gbps | 6,400 Gbps |
| Forwarding Rate (Standalone) | 2,400 Mpps | 4,400 Mpps |
| MAC Address Scale | 256,000 | 92,000 |
| IPv4 Route Scale | 896,000 | 262,000 |
| IPv6 Route Scale | 498,000 | 131,000 |
| Multicast Route Scale | 128,000 | 32,768 |
| VLAN Scale | 4,096 | 4,096 |
| ACL Scale | 5,000 | Up to 16,000 |
| Packet Buffer | 40 MB | 40 MB |
| IGMP Multicast Groups | 32,000 | 8,000 |
| Port Channel Support | 512 port channels; up to 32 links per channel | 64 port channels; up to 32 links per channel |
| PoE and power | ||
| PoE Support | Not supported | Not supported |
| PoE Standard | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Default PoE Budget | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Maximum PoE Budget | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Default Power Supply | Power supply selected separately from the compatible options | Power supply selected separately from the compatible options |
| Power Supply Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Power Supply Options | 750W or 1100W AC; 1100W DC or HVAC/HVDC; up to 2 supplies | 750W or 1100W AC; 1100W DC; 1100W HVAC/HVDC; up to 2 supplies |
| Maximum System Power | 719 W | 700 W |
| AC Input Voltage | 100 to 240 V | 100 to 240 V |
| DC Input Voltage | -40 to -72 V | -40 to -72 V |
| AC Input Frequency | 50 to 60 Hz | 50 to 60 Hz |
| Power Input Type | Hot-swappable AC and model-dependent DC/HVAC/HVDC supplies | Hot-swappable AC and model-dependent DC/HVAC/HVDC supplies |
| Typical Power Consumption | 337 W | 296 W |
| Power Redundancy | N+1 power-supply redundancy with supported dual-supply configurations | N+1 power-supply redundancy with supported dual-supply configurations |
| Stacking and resiliency | ||
| Stacking Technology | No physical switch stacking; vPC provides multichassis link resiliency | No physical switch stacking; vPC provides multichassis link resiliency |
| Stack Bandwidth | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Maximum Stack Members | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| StackPower | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Fan Modules | 3 dual fan trays | 5 hot-swappable fans with redundancy |
| Memory and software | ||
| Operating System | Cisco NX-OS; Cisco ACI mode on supported models | Cisco NX-OS; Cisco ACI mode on supported models |
| Minimum Software Release | Cisco NX-OS 7.0(3)I7(3) | Cisco NX-OS 9.3(3) |
| DRAM | 24 GB | 16 GB |
| Flash Memory | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| CPU | 4 cores | 4-core Broadwell-DE |
| Physical and environmental | ||
| Dimensions (H × W × D) | 44 × 439 × 623 mm | 44 × 439 × 581 mm |
| Weight | 8.5 kg | 8.6 kg |
| Operating Temperature | 0 to 40 °C | 0 to 40 °C |
| Storage Temperature | -40 to 70 °C | -40 to 70 °C |
| Storage Humidity | 5% to 95% | 5% to 95% |
| Operating Humidity | 5% to 95% | 5% to 90% |
| Operating Altitude | 0–4,000 m | 0–4,000 m |
| MTBF | 335,900 hours | 363,500 hours |
| Warranty | 1-year limited hardware warranty | 1-year limited hardware warranty |
| Acoustic Rating | 76.2 dBA at 50% fan speed; 85.3 dBA at 70%; 92.3 dBA at 100% | 76.4 dBA at 50% fan speed; 83.3 dBA at 70%; 92.1 dBA at 100% |
| Environmental Compliance | RoHS compliant | RoHS compliant |
| Safety Certifications | UL 60950-1; CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 60950-1; EN/IEC 60950-1 | UL 60950-1; CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 60950-1; EN/IEC 60950-1 |
| EMC Certifications | FCC Part 15 Class A; CISPR 22/32 Class A; EN 55022/55032 Class A | FCC Part 15 Class A; CISPR 22/32 Class A; EN 55022/55032 Class A |
| Mounting | 19-inch rack mount | 19-inch rack mount |
| Airflow | Orderable port-side intake or port-side exhaust airflow | Orderable port-side intake or port-side exhaust airflow |
“Not listed” means that no confirmed value is currently available for that model and parameter.
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