The Cisco Nexus N3K-C3172PQ-XL is a high-performance, low-latency data center switch designed for scalable, high-density 10/40GbE networking. It features 48x SFP+ ports for 10GbE connectivity and 6x QSFP+ uplink ports for 40GbE aggregation, ensuring superior throughput and low-latency switching. With extended memory, it supports larger routing tables and enhanced buffer capacity, making it ideal for cloud-scale networking, high-frequency trading, and enterprise data centers. Powered by Cisco NX-OS, it delivers advanced automation, programmability, and network visibility, ensuring seamless integration with modern data center architectures.
Product Specifications: Cisco Nexus N3K-C3172PQ-XL
| Feature |
Specifications |
| Model Number |
N3K-C3172PQ-XL |
| Port Configuration |
48 x 10GbE SFP+ ports, 6 x 40GbE QSFP+ uplink ports |
| Switching Capacity |
Up to 1.44 Terabits per second (Tbps) |
| Forwarding Rate |
Up to 1 billion packets per second (Bpps) |
| Latency |
Ultra-low latency (under 1 microsecond) |
| Packet Buffer |
Extended memory for enhanced buffering and larger routing tables |
| Form Factor |
Compact 1U rack-mountable design |
| Airflow Options |
Front-to-rear and rear-to-front airflow |
| Power Supply |
Dual hot-swappable AC/DC power supplies |
| Operating System |
Cisco NX-OS |
| Advanced Features |
Wire-speed Layer 2 and Layer 3 switching, VXLAN support, MPLS, QoS, network automation (Python, RESTful API, Puppet, Chef) |
| Security |
Role-based access control (RBAC), MACsec encryption, secure boot |
| Telemetry & Analytics |
Real-time network monitoring, flow analytics, and congestion management |
| Dimensions |
1.75" (H) x 19" (W) x 22.5" (D) inches |
| Weight |
Approximately 18 lbs |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the main use case for the Cisco Nexus N3K-C3172PQ-XL?
The Nexus 3172PQ-XL is designed for high-performance data centers, cloud environments, and financial networks requiring low-latency switching, high-density 10GbE/40GbE connectivity, and advanced automation capabilities.
2. What is the benefit of the extended memory in the N3K-C3172PQ-XL model?
The extended memory enables larger routing table support, improved buffering, and enhanced performance for large-scale environments handling heavy workloads.
3. Does the Nexus 3172PQ-XL support VXLAN?
Yes, it fully supports VXLAN for network virtualization, allowing scalable and flexible multi-tenant environments.
4. What airflow options are available for the N3K-C3172PQ-XL?
The switch is available in front-to-rear (F2R) and rear-to-front (R2F) airflow configurations, ensuring optimal cooling for different rack deployments.
5. What automation and programmability features are supported?
The switch supports Python scripting, RESTful APIs, Cisco NX-API, Puppet, Chef, and Ansible, enabling seamless network automation and orchestration.
6. What security features does this switch offer?
The N3K-C3172PQ-XL includes MACsec encryption, role-based access control (RBAC), secure boot, and control-plane protection, ensuring high-level security for critical workloads.
7. What is the power supply configuration?
The switch comes with dual hot-swappable AC or DC power supplies, ensuring redundancy and high availability.
8. Does the Nexus 3172PQ-XL support MPLS?
Yes, it supports Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) for efficient traffic engineering and service provider-grade networking.
9. Can this switch be managed using Cisco ACI?
While the Nexus 3172PQ-XL is primarily a NX-OS-based switch, it can integrate with Cisco ACI environments using VXLAN and programmability features.
10. Where can I find the official Cisco data sheet for this model?
You can access the official Cisco Nexus 3172PQ-XL data sheet here.
