The Cisco Nexus 3524-XL Switch (N3K-C3524P-XL) is perfect for enterprise data centers, cloud service providers, and high-performance computing environments requiring ultra-low latency and high-density 10 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity. This data center switch delivers exceptional performance with advanced Layer 2 and Layer 3 capabilities:
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24 SFP+ ports providing high-density 10 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity for server aggregation
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Layer 2 and Layer 3 switching supporting advanced routing protocols and VLAN configurations
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Nexus 3000 Series reliability with proven data center-grade performance and availability
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Ultra-low latency ideal for high-frequency trading and real-time applications
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Flexible deployment options supporting top-of-rack and end-of-row architectures
Key Features
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24 x 10GbE SFP+ ports delivering high-bandwidth server connectivity
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Advanced Layer 3 routing with OSPF, BGP, and EIGRP protocol support
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Comprehensive Layer 2 features including VLAN, STP, and link aggregation
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Hardware-based forwarding ensuring wire-speed performance with minimal latency
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Energy-efficient design optimizing power consumption for data center operations
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Hot-swappable power supplies providing redundant power options for high availability
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Comprehensive monitoring with SNMP, RMON, and sFlow support
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Data center bridging with DCB and FCoE support for unified fabric deployments
Technical Specifications
| Manufacturer |
Cisco Systems, Inc |
| Model Number |
N3K-C3524P-XL |
| Type |
24-Port 10 Gigabit Ethernet Data Center Switch |
| Port Configuration |
24 x SFP+ 10GbE ports |
| Switching Capacity |
960 Gbps full duplex |
| Forwarding Rate |
714 Mpps wire-speed forwarding |
| Layer Support |
Layer 2 and Layer 3 switching with advanced routing |
| MAC Address Table |
128,000 MAC addresses |
| Routing Table |
64,000 IPv4/IPv6 routes |
| Latency |
Ultra-low 1.2 microseconds port-to-port |
| Form Factor |
1RU rack-mountable chassis |
| Power Consumption |
Maximum 400W with dual redundant power supplies |
| Compatible Systems |
Enterprise data centers, cloud infrastructure, HPC clusters |
Target Use Cases
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Top-of-rack switching for high-density server environments and blade chassis
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Data center aggregation connecting multiple access switches to core infrastructure
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High-performance computing supporting low-latency cluster interconnects
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Cloud service provider networks enabling multi-tenant virtualized environments
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Financial trading platforms requiring microsecond-level latency performance
Advanced Data Center Features
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Virtual device contexts enabling network virtualization and multi-tenancy
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Cisco FabricPath providing Layer 2 multipathing without spanning tree limitations
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Data Center Bridging with priority flow control and enhanced transmission selection
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Comprehensive QoS supporting traffic classification and bandwidth management
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What makes this switch ideal for data center deployments?
A: The Cisco Nexus 3524-XL combines ultra-low 1.2-microsecond latency with high-density 24 SFP+ ports, making it perfect for demanding data center applications requiring both performance and port density in a compact 1RU form factor.
Q: Does this switch support both Layer 2 and Layer 3 functionality?
A: Yes, this data center switch provides comprehensive Layer 2 and Layer 3 capabilities including VLAN support, advanced routing protocols (OSPF, BGP, EIGRP), and can handle up to 64,000 IPv4/IPv6 routes with hardware-accelerated forwarding.
Q: How does the SFP+ connectivity benefit high-performance applications?
A: The 24 SFP+ ports provide flexible 10 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity supporting various fiber and copper transceivers, enabling optimized connections for different distances and media types while maintaining wire-speed performance.
Q: Is this switch suitable for virtualized environments?
A: Absolutely. The Nexus 3000 Series includes virtual device contexts and comprehensive virtualization features, making it ideal for multi-tenant cloud environments and virtualized data centers requiring network segmentation.
Q: What power and cooling considerations are needed?
A: This energy-efficient switch consumes maximum 400W with optional dual redundant power supplies, and the 1RU design optimizes data center space while providing adequate cooling through front-to-back or back-to-front airflow options.
Q: How does Cisco Nexus compare to other data center switching platforms?
A: Cisco Nexus switches are purpose-built for data centers with industry-leading low latency, comprehensive virtualization support, and proven reliability, offering superior performance compared to traditional enterprise switches in demanding data center applications.
Cisco Nexus 3524-XL Switch with 24 SFP+ 10GbE ports, Layer 2/3 switching, ultra-low latency for data center and cloud infrastructure applications.
