The Cisco Nexus N9K-C9236C is a high-performance, cloud-scale data center switch engineered to deliver ultra-low latency and massive throughput for modern enterprise and service provider networks. Built on Cisco Cloud Scale architecture, this 1RU fixed switch provides 36 QSFP28 ports supporting 100G, 40G, 50G, 25G, and 10G breakout configurations, enabling flexible deployment across spine-leaf fabrics, high-performance computing environments, and large-scale cloud infrastructures.
With an impressive 7.2 Tbps switching capacity and 5.35 Bpps forwarding performance, the N9K-C9236C ensures wire-rate Layer 2 and Layer 3 switching while maintaining sub-microsecond latency. Native VXLAN support and advanced telemetry capabilities make it ideal for scalable multi-tenant environments and real-time traffic visibility.
Powered by Cisco NX-OS, this Nexus switch supports automation through NX-API, Python scripting, and integration with DevOps tools such as Ansible, Puppet, and Chef. Redundant hot-swappable power supplies and fan modules provide high availability, ensuring continuous uptime in mission-critical data center operations.
Designed for high-density, high-speed connectivity, the Cisco Nexus N9K-C9236C is an ideal solution for spine-leaf architectures, IP storage fabrics, and cloud-scale data center deployments requiring superior performance, programmability, and scalability.
| Specification Category |
Details |
| Product Name |
Cisco Nexus N9K-C9236C |
| Manufacturer |
Cisco Systems |
| Part Number |
N9K-C9236C |
| Product Type |
Fixed-configuration data center switch |
| Form Factor |
1RU rack-mountable |
| Switching Architecture |
Cisco Cloud Scale Technology |
| Total Ports |
36 × 100-Gbps QSFP28 ports |
| Port Flexibility |
Supports breakout: 4×10G, 4×25G, 2×50G, 1×40G, or 1×100G per port |
| Maximum Throughput |
7.2 Tbps |
| Forwarding Rate |
Up to 5.35 Bpps |
| Latency |
Sub-microsecond |
| Shared System Buffer |
30 MB |
| CPU |
Quad-core processor |
| System Memory |
16 GB DRAM |
| Storage |
64 GB SSD |
| Operating System |
Cisco NX-OS |
| VXLAN Support |
Line-rate VXLAN bridging & routing |
| Segment Routing |
Supported |
| Programmability |
Cisco NX-API, Python, Puppet, Chef, Ansible |
| Telemetry |
Real-time buffer & traffic telemetry per port/queue |
| Breakout & Speed Options |
10G, 25G, 40G, 50G, 100G |
| Power Supplies |
Dual (1+1) hot-swappable, 80 Plus Platinum |
| Cooling |
N+1 redundant hot-swappable fan modules |
| Airflow Options |
Front-to-back or back-to-front (model dependent) |
| Resiliency |
Redundant power & fans for high availability |
| Energy Efficiency |
High-efficiency power design for data center optimization |
| Management Interfaces |
RJ-45 management port, console, USB (varies by configuration) |
| Deployment Modes |
NX-OS standalone mode |
| Use Cases |
Spine-leaf fabrics, cloud-scale data centers, high-performance computing, IP storage fabrics, service provider hosting |
| Network Virtualization |
Multi-tenant support via VXLAN overlays |
| Automation & DevOps Integration |
Supports modern automation frameworks |
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FAQs:
Q1. What is the maximum number of ports I can get using breakout cables?
By using $4 \times 10$ Gbps or $4 \times 25$ Gbps breakout cables on all 36 ports, you can achieve a maximum density of 144 10-Gbps or 25-Gbps ports in a single rack unit.
Q2. Does this switch support Cisco ACI mode?
The N9K-C9236C is primarily optimized for NX-OS standalone mode. While it belongs to the Nexus 9000 family, you should verify the specific hardware revision and software compatibility if you intend to use it as a leaf in an ACI fabric, as most 9200 series switches are focused on NX-OS deployments.
Q3. Is it suitable for IP Storage (iSCSI/NVMe over Fabrics)?
Yes. With 30 MB of shared buffer and the ability to fine-tune buffer allocation for non-drop queues, it is an excellent choice for performance-critical IP storage designs.
Q4. What kind of airflow options are available?
The N9K-C9236C supports both Port-side Intake (Back-to-Front) and Port-side Exhaust (Front-to-Back) airflow to match the hot-aisle/cold-aisle configuration of your data center.
Q5. What is the power consumption of this switch?
The switch has a typical power draw of approximately 275W (AC) and a maximum rated power of 640W (AC), making it highly energy-efficient for its performance class.
