Choose
Catalyst 9000 or Nexus 9000?
The questions from users: “What is the
difference between catalyst 9000 and Nexus 9000? Where can we use in the
network and Features of Catalyst 9000 and Nexus 9000?”
They are 2 classes of switch. Catalyst 9k should be campus network class, while Nexus is belonging to data center class. Campus network is a term to describe the size of infrastructure. It’s doesn’t mean you cannot use campus network switch on data centre. Depending on your requirement (E.g. throughput, scalability, budget…etc) to choose your equipment.
1.Catalyst 9500 is for Enterprise switching
and routing for Collapsed Core or Core.
2.Nexus 9K are more of Data center and Server Switching. (with ACI ).
With Catalyst 9000 you access DNA software capabilities via pre-bundled Cisco ONE software suites or a-la-carte components. (Available across the entire enterprise networking portfolio, Cisco ONE software provides businesses with access to ongoing innovation, budget predictability, and a more agile way to consume technology.)
The hardware for Cisco ACI is based on the Cisco Nexus 9000 family of switches. The software and integration points for ACI include a few components, including Additional Data Center Pod, Data Center Policy Engine, and Non-Directly Attached Virtual and Physical Leaf Switches.
Catalyst 9000 or Nexus 9000?
Read the following comparison of Nexus 9500 Switches and Catalyst 9500 Switches.
Nexus 9500 Switches | Catalyst 9500 Switches | |
Key Features | ||
Target deployments | Modular data center | Small to large enterprise core/distribution |
Stacking | – | Yes |
SD-Access | – | Yes |
Advanced security and analytics | – | Yes |
Capacity | ||
Port quantity | 48 x 1/10/25 G, 32/36 x 40/100 G | 32 x 100 G QSFP28, 32 x 40 G QSFP, 48 x 25 G SFP28, 48 x 10 G/1 G SFP+/SFP |
Port types | 1/10/25/40/50/100 G | 100 G, 40 G, 25 G, 10/1 G |
Switching capacity | 60 Tbps | 6.4 Tbps |
Stacking/chassis bandwidth | 60 Tbps | 12.8 Tbps |
IPv4 routes | 128k | 212k |
IPv6 routes | 32k | 212k |
Flash memory installed size | 16-24 GB | 16 GB |
Wireless bandwidth | – | No |
Networking | ||
Advanced switching | Layer 2/3 | Layer 2/3 |
Jumbo frame support | 9216 bytes | 9216 bytes |
MAC address table size | 104-160k/card | 80k entries |
Native wireless support | – | No |
Power | ||
Integrated PoE | yes | No |
PoE/PoE+/UPOE | N+1 | No |
PoE budget | 3000W | No |
Power redundancy | AC 200-277V, DC 240-380V | Optional |
Power redundancy scheme | – | 1+1 |
Power provided | – | 650-1600W |
Nominal voltage | – | AC 120/230V; DC -36/-72V |
Environment | ||
Humidity range operating | – | 5-95% (noncondensing) |
Maximum operating temperature | – | 104°F |
Minimum operating temperature | – | 32°F |
Maximum storage temperature | – | 149°F |
Minimum storage temperature | – | -4°F |
Form factor | ||
Configuration | Modular data center | Fixed, virtual stack |
Height (rack units) | 4-21 RU | 1 RU |
Slots free quantity | 43571 | 0 |
Slots total quantity | 43545 | 3 |
Depth | 31.8-33.2 in | 17.7 in |
Height | 12.3-36.7 in | 1.8 in |
Width | 17.5 in | 17.5-21.5 in |
Weight | 85-192 lb | 21-26 lb |
Security | ||
Encrypted Traffic Analytics | AES128, SSH, TLS, IPSec | Yes |
Trustworthy systems | yes | Yes |
Encryption protocols | yes | AES-256/MACsec-256, SSH, TLS, IPsec |
MPLS | yes | Yes |
IGMP snooping | – | Yes |
NetFlow | – | Yes |
Programmability | ||
NETCONF/YANG | yes | Yes |
Python | yes | Yes |
Containers | yes | Yes |
NX-API | yes | – |
Software | ||
Operating system | NX-OS/ACI | Cisco IOS XE 16 |
License type | perpetual / Subscription | Perpetual plus subscription |
Support | ||
Warranty | Limited hardware warranty | E-LLW |
Service | 10-day advance parts replacement, technical support | NBD delivery of replacement hardware where available |
Support full contract period | 1 year, technical support | 90 days of 8×5 Cisco TAC support |
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