The Cisco N3K-C3172TQ-32T Nexus 3000 Series Switch is a high-performance data center switch designed for ultra-low latency, high-throughput, and scalable 10 Gigabit Ethernet networking. Optimized for modern enterprise and cloud infrastructures, this switch delivers wire-rate Layer 2 and Layer 3 performance for demanding Top-of-Rack (ToR) and aggregation deployments.
The switch features 32 active 10GBase-T RJ-45 ports for high-density copper connectivity, making it ideal for organizations migrating from traditional 1G networks to high-speed 10G Ethernet environments. It also includes 6 QSFP+ uplink ports supporting 40GbE connectivity or breakout into 4 × 10G ports, providing flexible uplink and aggregation options for scalable network architectures.
Built on Cisco NX-OS, the N3K-C3172TQ-32T supports advanced networking technologies including Layer 2 and Layer 3 routing, VXLAN virtualization, QoS, ACLs, and automation capabilities. Its license-based scalability allows expansion from 32 ports up to 48 ports, offering a cost-effective growth path for evolving network requirements.
With a switching capacity of up to 1.4 Tbps and forwarding performance of up to 1 billion packets per second, the switch delivers high-speed packet processing with ultra-low latency, making it suitable for virtualization, cloud applications, and performance-sensitive workloads.
Designed for enterprise reliability, the platform supports redundant power supplies, hot-swappable fan modules, and high-availability architecture to ensure uninterrupted operation in mission-critical environments.
Ideal for Top-of-Rack switching, enterprise access networks, virtualization platforms, cloud infrastructures, and 10G copper migration projects, the Cisco N3K-C3172TQ-32T provides scalable performance, flexible connectivity, and reliable data center networking capabilities.
Product Specifications – Cisco N3K-C3172TQ-32T Nexus 3000 Series Data Center Switch
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| Specification |
Details |
| Product Name |
Cisco N3K-C3172TQ-32T Nexus 3000 Series Switch |
| Manufacturer |
Cisco Systems |
| Part Number |
N3K-C3172TQ-32T |
| Product Series |
Cisco Nexus 3000 Series |
| Product Type |
Data Center Switch |
| Port Configuration |
32 × 10GBase-T RJ-45 |
| Uplink Ports |
6 × 40G QSFP+ |
| Breakout Support |
40G QSFP+ supports 4 × 10G breakout |
| Maximum Port Scalability |
Upgradeable to 48 × 10G ports via license |
| Supported Ethernet Speeds |
1G, 10G, 40G |
| Switching Capacity |
Up to 1.4 Tbps |
| Forwarding Rate |
Up to 1 Billion Packets Per Second (bpps) |
| Latency |
Ultra-low latency architecture |
| Layer Support |
Layer 2 and Layer 3 |
| Operating System |
Cisco NX-OS |
| Routing Protocols |
OSPF, BGP, EIGRP, PIM |
| Virtualization Support |
VXLAN, virtualization overlays |
| QoS Features |
Advanced QoS and traffic prioritization |
| Security Features |
ACLs, segmentation, traffic filtering |
| Automation Support |
NX-API, programmability support |
| Management |
CLI, SNMP, Cisco DCNM |
| Redundancy Support |
Dual redundant power supplies supported |
| Cooling |
Hot-swappable fan modules |
| Hot-Swappable Components |
Fans and power supplies |
| Form Factor |
1 Rack Unit (1RU), rack-mountable |
| Deployment Type |
Top-of-Rack (ToR), aggregation |
| Application |
Data center and enterprise networking |
| Reliability |
Enterprise and cloud-scale availability |
| Cabling Type |
Copper Ethernet connectivity |
| Environment |
Enterprise, cloud, virtualization deployments |
| Condition |
New / Refurbished / Cisco Certified |
| Use Cases |
ToR switching, 10G migration, virtualization, enterprise access |
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FAQs
Q1. How many ports are enabled by default?
It comes with 32 active 10GBase-T ports, expandable to 48 via licensing.
Q2. What type of uplinks does this switch support?
It includes 6 QSFP+ ports supporting 40G or breakout 10G connections.
Q3. Is this suitable for data center environments?
Yes, it is designed for low-latency, high-performance data center deployments.
Q4. Does it support Layer 3 routing?
Yes, it supports both Layer 2 and Layer 3 switching features.
Q5. Can this switch be upgraded later?
Yes, additional ports can be enabled through software licensing up to 48 ports.
