Cisco N9K-C9372TX-E 48x RJ-45 10Gb 6x QSFP+ 40Gb - Ethernet Switch

The Cisco Nexus N9K-C9372TX-E is a powerful and flexible Layer 3 data center switch belonging to the advanced Nexus 9300-EX Series, specifically engineered to act as a high-density leaf node in modern Spine-and-Leaf architectures, providing a robust foundation for next-generation data center and cloud environments. This 1RU fixed-port switch delivers a massive 1.44 Terabits per second (Tbps) switching capacity and a forwarding rate exceeding 1150 Mpps, ensuring line-rate, non-blocking performance across all ports. Its port configuration includes 48 fixed 1/10GBASE-T ports, allowing for seamless and cost-effective server connectivity and migration from 1G, utilizing existing copper cabling, along with six 40G/100G QSFP+ / QSFP28 uplink ports for high-speed aggregation to the core network. The N9K-C9372TX-E offers unparalleled versatility by supporting two critical operational modes: traditional NX-OS Mode, where it functions as a feature-rich L2/L3 switch supporting protocols like vPC and VXLAN; and ACI Mode, where it integrates into Cisco's Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI) fabric for full automation and centralized policy management, making it an ideal choice for organizations transitioning towards a Software-Defined Networking (SDN) model.
This device is an excellent choice for:

• High-Density 10G Data Center Access Layer (Leaf Node) in Spine-Leaf Topologies:

  The primary and most critical use case for the N9K-C9372TX-E is its deployment as a high-performance Leaf switch within a modern, resilient Spine-and-Leaf data center fabric. It connects high concentrations of servers, storage arrays, and virtualization hosts that require dedicated 10 Gigabit Ethernet bandwidth. With an aggregate switching capacity of 1.44 Tbps, the switch ensures that all 48 downlink ports and 6 uplink ports can operate simultaneously at wire speed without any internal oversubscription or bottlenecks, which is fundamental for minimizing latency in mission-critical applications.

• Cost-Effective 1G to 10G Data Center Migration over Copper:

  Featuring 48 fixed 1/10GBASE-T ports that use standard RJ-45 copper connectors, this switch provides a highly cost-effective and practical path for organizations transitioning their access layer from legacy 1 Gigabit Ethernet infrastructure. By utilizing existing Category 6A or Category 7 structured cabling, businesses can achieve full 10G connectivity for their servers without incurring the significant expense and time associated with installing new fiber optic cabling, making it ideal for phased upgrades in existing white space.

• Core Component for Cisco Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI) Fabric:

  The 'E' revision is specifically engineered for full integration and optimization within Cisco's Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI). When deployed in ACI Mode, the N9K-C9372TX-E functions as a high-performance Leaf switch that accepts configuration and policy deployment exclusively from the central APIC controller. This enables comprehensive software-defined automation, granular microsegmentation, and dynamic policy enforcement based on application-specific requirements, moving beyond traditional VLAN and ACL configurations.

• High-Availability Access with Virtual PortChannel (vPC):

  In traditional NX-OS deployments, the switch excels at providing multi-chassis link aggregation using vPC. This crucial feature allows servers and downstream devices to connect simultaneously to a pair of N9K-C9372TX-E switches, effectively creating a single logical Layer 2 path. This results in active-active redundancy (eliminating single points of failure) and ensures full utilization of all uplink bandwidth without the complexity, blocked links, or slow convergence associated with the older Spanning Tree Protocol (STP).

• Flexible Top-of-Rack (ToR) and Middle-of-Row (MoR) Deployment:

  Due to its compact, efficient 1RU form factor and the inherent flexibility of 10GBASE-T copper cabling, the switch is highly versatile. It can be mounted directly at the top of a server rack (ToR) to minimize cable runs to servers within that cabinet, or it can be placed centrally within a row (MoR) to serve multiple adjacent racks efficiently. Its optional Port-Side Exhaust or Port-Side Intake airflow options also ensure it can be seamlessly integrated into any hot-aisle/cold-aisle data center cooling standard.

• Foundation for VXLAN/EVPN Overlay Networks and Multitenancy:

  As a robust Layer 3 switch, it includes hardware support for VXLAN tunnel endpoints (VTEPs) and is capable of running EVPN (Ethernet VPN) control plane protocols. This advanced capability is essential for decoupling the logical network from the physical underlay, allowing for the creation of massively scalable, geographically flexible, and highly secure multitenant Layer 2 and Layer 3 overlay networks that are vital for modern cloud and service provider environments.