The Cisco N3K-C3172TQ-10GT Switch is designed for modern data centers, cloud providers, and enterprises requiring high-density 10 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity at the access layer. This advanced Top of Rack switch delivers:
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48 port 10GBASE-T connectivity providing copper-based 10 Gigabit Ethernet for servers and storage systems
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QSFP+ uplink capability offering high-speed spine connectivity with 40G bandwidth for modern data center fabrics
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Layer 3 switching functionality enabling advanced routing, VLAN segmentation, and traffic optimization at the access layer
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Low latency design optimized for high-performance computing, virtualization, and latency-sensitive applications
Key Features
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48 x 10GBASE-T ports supporting standard copper cabling with auto-negotiation from 100M to 10G
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6 x 40G QSFP+ uplinks providing flexible spine connectivity for leaf-spine architectures
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Layer 3 routing capabilities including OSPF, BGP, and static routing for advanced network topologies
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Non-blocking architecture delivering full line-rate performance across all ports simultaneously
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Advanced buffer management optimizing performance for bursty traffic and storage workloads
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Hot-swappable components ensuring maximum uptime with field-replaceable fans and power supplies
Technical Specifications
| Manufacturer |
Cisco |
| Model Number |
N3K-C3172TQ-10GT= |
| Type |
48-Port 10GBASE-T Top of Rack Layer 3 Switch |
| Port Configuration |
48 x 10GBASE-T + 6 x 40G QSFP+ |
| Switching Capacity |
1.44 Tbps non-blocking performance |
| Forwarding Rate |
1.07 Bpps line-rate forwarding |
| Latency |
Sub-microsecond cut-through switching |
| Form Factor |
1RU rack-mountable design |
| Operating System |
Cisco NX-OS with programmable APIs |
| Power Consumption |
550W typical operation |
| Compatible Systems |
Cisco DCNM, spine-leaf deployments, server rack integration |
Target Use Cases
Server Rack Connectivity: Perfect for server rack deployments where 48 x 10GBASE-T ports provide cost-effective 10 Gigabit connectivity using standard copper cabling, eliminating the need for expensive fiber transceivers while supporting modern server NICs and storage systems.
Virtualized Infrastructure: Ideal for virtualized environments where 10 gigabit switch performance supports high-density virtual machine workloads, vMotion traffic, and software-defined storage requiring consistent low-latency performance and high throughput.
Top of Rack Deployments: Excellent for modern data center Top of Rack architectures where the Layer 3 capabilities enable distributed routing, the QSFP+ uplinks provide spine connectivity, and the compact 1RU form factor maximizes rack density.
Data Center Benefits
Cost-Effective 10G Deployment: The 10GBASE-T ports eliminate the need for expensive SFP+ transceivers while supporting existing copper infrastructure, significantly reducing total cost of ownership for high-density 10 Gigabit deployments.
Spine-Leaf Ready: Purpose-built for modern data center fabrics with QSFP+ uplinks providing 40G spine connectivity, supporting east-west traffic patterns and enabling seamless scaling as data center requirements grow.
Advanced Analytics: Integrated with Cisco's data center management ecosystem, providing comprehensive telemetry, traffic analytics, and automated troubleshooting capabilities for proactive network operations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What makes this switch ideal for top of rack deployments?
A: The Top of Rack design provides 48 x 10GBASE-T server connections in a compact 1RU form factor, with 6 x 40G QSFP+ uplinks for spine connectivity, optimizing rack density while delivering the performance needed for modern server workloads.
Q: How does 10GBASE-T benefit data center deployments?
A: 10GBASE-T supports 10 Gigabit speeds over standard copper cabling up to 100 meters, eliminating expensive fiber transceivers and enabling cost-effective migration from 1G to 10G while supporting existing structured cabling investments.
Q: What Layer 3 capabilities are included?
A: The Layer 3 switch supports full routing functionality including OSPF, BGP, EIGRP, static routing, and advanced features like VRRP, enabling distributed routing architectures and reducing dependence on centralized core routers.
Q: How many servers can be connected to this switch?
A: The 48 port configuration supports up to 48 servers with 10 Gigabit connectivity, while the QSFP+ uplinks provide 240 Gbps total uplink bandwidth to support the aggregate traffic from all connected servers without bottlenecks.
Q: Is this switch suitable for high-performance computing environments?
A: Yes, the low-latency design, non-blocking architecture, and 10 gigabit performance make it ideal for HPC clusters, financial trading systems, and other latency-sensitive applications requiring deterministic network performance.
Cisco N3K-C3172TQ-10GT 48 port 10GBASE-T Top of Rack switch with QSFP+ uplinks, Layer 3 functionality for data center server connectivity.
