The Cisco Nexus 9500 Series is a high-performance modular switch designed for data centers, offering a robust and scalable networking solution. With support for up to 16 line cards, the Nexus 9500 provides comprehensive Layer 2 and Layer 3 functions, making it ideal for modern data center environments. It supports a range of Ethernet speeds, including 1, 10, 40, and 100 Gigabit, ensuring flexibility and future-proofing for growing network demands.
The Nexus 9500 Series is built to deliver predictable high performance with up to 60 Tbps of nonblocking throughput and latency of less than 5 microseconds. This makes it suitable for large-scale data centers that require reliable and efficient network fabrics. The platform’s modular design allows for easy scalability and integration with existing infrastructure, providing a seamless upgrade path from older systems.
Cisco’s Nexus 9500 Series supports both NX-OS and ACI modes, offering versatility in deployment options. This flexibility allows organizations to choose the best configuration for their specific needs, whether they are building new infrastructures or upgrading existing ones. With its advanced features and capabilities, the Nexus 9500 Series is a leading choice for data center networking.
| Model | Description |
|---|---|
| Cisco Nexus 9504 Switch | 4-slot modular chassis supporting 1/10/25/40/100/400-Gbps Ethernet line cards |
| Cisco Nexus 9508 Switch | 8-slot modular chassis for high-density deployments with support for multiple line card types |
| Cisco Nexus 9516 Switch | 16-slot modular chassis designed for large-scale data centre core and spine deployments |
| Cisco Nexus X9736C-FX Line Card | 36 x 40/100-Gbps QSFP28 ports for high-density spine and aggregation roles |
| Cisco Nexus X97160YC-EX Line Card | 48 x 1/10/25-Gbps SFP+ ports and 6 x 40/100-Gbps QSFP28 uplink ports |
| Cisco Nexus X9724C-FX Line Card | 24 x 40/100-Gbps QSFP28 ports for aggregation and spine use cases |
| Cisco Nexus X9700 Series Fabric Modules | Fabric modules providing switching capacity and backplane connectivity within the 9500 chassis |
| Cisco Nexus 9500 Series Supervisor Modules | Supervisor engines delivering control plane, management, and system intelligence for modular chassis |
The Cisco Nexus 9500 Series supports a variety of line cards, including the N9K-X9736C-EX, which offers 36 ports of 40/100 Gigabit Ethernet QSFP28. The platform’s fabric modules, such as the N9K-C9504-FM, provide capacities ranging from 1280 Gbps to 5120 Gbps. Each line card supports extensive optic modules, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of network configurations.
The switch supports up to 4096 VLANs, 2000 VRF instances, and 512 port channels, with up to 32 links per port channel. It also supports up to 64 ECMP paths and 10,000 VXLAN tunnel endpoints per VLAN. The Nexus 9500 Series is designed for high availability with features like hot-swappable components and redundant power supplies.
Power options include the N9K-PUV-3000W-B, a 3000W universal high-voltage AC/DC power supply with port-side intake airflow. The platform is compliant with various regulatory standards, including EN55022 Class A and EN55024, and offers high efficiency with 80PLUS Platinum and Titanium certifications.
| Period | Owner / Marketer | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1984 – Present | Cisco Systems, Inc. | Cisco has maintained ownership of the Nexus 9500 Series since its introduction. |
| File Name | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Cisco Nexus 9500 Platform Switches Data Sheet | Datasheet | Download |
From expert maintenance and repair to reliable part sourcing and technical consultation, we provide comprehensive support for every stage of your network’s lifecycle. Whether you’re extending the life of legacy systems or integrating with modern infrastructure, our team ensures seamless, efficient, and cost-effective solutions—so you can focus on performance, not problems.