N3K-C3172PQ-XL - Cisco Nexus 3000 Series Switch

Product Name: Cisco Nexus 3172PQ-XL Switch (N3K-C3172PQ-XL)

Product Description:
The Cisco Nexus 3172PQ-XL is a high-performance, low-latency data center switch designed for demanding cloud and enterprise environments. It provides ultra-low latency and high-density 10/40/100 Gigabit Ethernet ports, making it ideal for high-frequency trading, financial services, and other latency-sensitive applications.

Key Specifications

• Model: N3K-C3172PQ-XL

• Switch Type: Data Center Switch

• Switching Capacity: Up to 7.2 Tbps

• Forwarding Rate: Up to 2.7 billion packets per second (Bpps)

• Latency: Ultra-low latency, typically < 350 nanoseconds

• Ports:

  • 48 x 10 Gigabit Ethernet SFP+ ports

  • 6 x 40 Gigabit Ethernet QSFP+ ports (can be broken out to 4x10G)

  • 2 x 100 Gigabit Ethernet QSFP28 ports (on XL model)

• Port Features:

  • Support for 10G, 40G, and 100G Ethernet

  • QSFP+ ports support breakout cables (1x40G = 4x10G)

• Forwarding Architecture: Cut-through switching

• Layer Support: Layer 2 and Layer 3

• Latency: Sub-microsecond latency for high-performance networking

• Redundancy: Dual redundant, hot-swappable power supplies and fans

• Power Consumption: Approximately 450W (varies with usage)

• Management:

  • Cisco NX-OS operating system

  • CLI, SNMP, NetConf, REST API support

  • Advanced monitoring and telemetry features

• Dimensions: 1RU form factor (Approx. 43.8 cm width x 55.4 cm depth x 4.4 cm height)

• Weight: Approx. 8 kg

• Cooling: Front-to-back airflow

Features & Benefits

• Ultra-low Latency: Ideal for latency-sensitive applications such as high-frequency trading and financial services.

• High Density: Supports high port density in a compact 1RU chassis, maximizing rack space efficiency.

• Flexible Port Speeds: Mix and match 10G, 40G, and 100G Ethernet ports to meet various network demands.

• Advanced Layer 3 Features: Supports routing protocols including OSPF, BGP, and VRF for scalable data center networks.

• Resilient and Reliable: Redundant power supplies and fans ensure continuous operation.

• Robust Management: Comprehensive network management and automation capabilities with Cisco NX-OS.

• Energy Efficient: Designed for reduced power consumption without compromising performance.

Typical Applications

• Data Center Fabric

• High-Performance Computing (HPC)

• Financial Trading Platforms

• Cloud Computing Infrastructure

• Enterprise Network Core