N9K-X97160YC-EX Cisco Nexus 9500 48-port 10/25GE+4x40/100GE Linecard
N9K-X97160YC-EX Cisco Nexus 9500 48-Port 10/25GE + 4x100GE Line Card
High-Density, Low-Latency 25G/100G Line Card for Cisco Nexus 9500 Modular Data Center Switches
The Cisco Nexus N9K-X97160YC-EX is a high-performance, next-generation line card designed for Cisco Nexus 9500 modular switches. Featuring 48 x 1/10/25-Gigabit Ethernet SFP28/SFP+ ports and 4 x 40/100-Gigabit Ethernet QSFP+/QSFP28 uplinks, this module delivers exceptional 3.2 Tbps throughput and ultra-low latency, making it ideal for leaf-and-spine architectures, cloud-scale networks, and enterprise data centers.
Built for the future of data center networking, the N9K-X97160YC-EX supports Cisco ACI (Application Centric Infrastructure), VXLAN EVPN, Segment Routing (SR), and MPLS, enabling seamless network virtualization and automated operations. With hot-swappable design, non-blocking architecture, and advanced programmability via gRPC, NETCONF, and YANG, it ensures maximum uptime and scalability for mission-critical workloads.
Perfect for organizations planning 25G/100G upgrades, the Cisco N9K-X97160YC-EX provides the flexibility, speed, and reliability needed to power next-generation cloud, enterprise, and high-performance computing environments.
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Product Specifications – Cisco Nexus N9K-X97160YC-EX Line Card
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| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Model Number | Cisco Nexus N9K-X97160YC-EX |
| Description | High-performance, high-density line card for Cisco Nexus 9500 modular switches, offering 48 x 10/25-Gigabit Ethernet ports and 4 x 40/100-Gigabit Ethernet uplinks for next-generation leaf-and-spine data center architectures. |
| Ports & Interfaces | • 48 x 1/10/25-Gigabit Ethernet ports (SFP28/SFP+) • 4 x 40/100-Gigabit Ethernet ports (QSFP+/QSFP28) • Auto-negotiation and breakout supported on 100G ports • Compatible with Cisco SFP+, SFP28, QSFP+ and QSFP28 optics and cables |
| Performance | • Aggregate throughput: Up to 3.2 Tbps • Line-rate performance on all ports • Ultra-low latency for high-frequency trading and real-time applications • Jumbo frame support: up to 9216 bytes |
| Key Features | • Fully non-blocking architecture for maximum performance • VXLAN routing and bridging for overlay networks • Segment Routing (SR), EVPN, and MPLS support • Advanced telemetry and model-driven programmability (gRPC/NETCONF/YANG) • Cisco ACI (Application Centric Infrastructure) support for automated policy-based networking |
| Software & Compatibility | • Runs Cisco NX-OS operating system • Compatible with Cisco Nexus 9500 chassis models (N9K-C9504, N9K-C9508, N9K-C9516) • Can be mixed with other Nexus 9500 line cards • Supports network virtualization and automation via Cisco DCNM and Cisco NDFC |
| High Availability & Redundancy | • Hot-swappable for zero-downtime maintenance • Redundant supervisor engine support in the modular 9500 architecture • Supports ISSU (In-Service Software Upgrade) and NSF (Non-Stop Forwarding) for uninterrupted operation |
| Environmental & Physical | • Form Factor: Line card for Cisco Nexus 9500 modular switches • Operating temperature: 0°C to 40°C (32°F to 104°F) • Power consumption: ~350–400W (depending on configuration) |
| Use Cases | • High-performance data center aggregation and spine deployments • Cloud-scale VXLAN/EVPN fabrics • Enterprise core networks requiring 25G/100G migration readiness |
| Management & Monitoring | • Advanced telemetry and analytics with Cisco model-driven telemetry • Programmable via APIs including gRPC, REST, NETCONF, and YANG • Compatible with Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (NDFC) and Cisco Data Center Network Manager (DCNM) |
FAQs for N9K-X97160YC-EX:
Can I use all ports at 25G simultaneously on this line card?
Yes, all 48 SFP28 ports support full 25G line-rate operation when the appropriate transceivers and licensing are in place.
What types of uplinks are supported on the QSFP ports?
The 4 QSFP ports support 40G and 100G speeds and can be broken out into 4x10G or 4x25G lanes using breakout cables.
Is the N9K-X97160YC-EX compatible with all Nexus 9500 chassis models?
Yes, it is compatible with the Cisco Nexus 9504, 9508, and 9516 chassis when running supported NX-OS versions.
Does this line card support Cisco ACI fabric deployments?
Absolutely, it is optimized for both classic NX-OS and Cisco ACI fabric mode deployments, supporting ACI spine or leaf roles.
Is this line card hot-swappable?
Yes, the N9K-X97160YC-EX is hot-swappable and supports in-service upgrades and changes in supported environments.
