Cisco Nexus 9000 Series: N9K-C9364C-GX – The Ultimate 400G-Ready Data Center Switch

Jun 12 , 2025 26

Cisco Nexus 9000 Series: N9K-C9364C-GX – The Ultimate 400G-Ready Data Center Switch

Product Overview
The Cisco N9K-C9364C-GX represents the pinnacle of Cisco's cloud-scale switching technology, delivering unprecedented 400G density and performance for next-generation data centers. This 2RU fixed-configuration switch is engineered to meet the extreme demands of AI/ML workloads, hyperscale cloud architectures, and high-performance computing environments.

Key Features & Specifications

• Port Configuration: 64x 400G QSFP-DD ports (1:8 breakout to 512x 50G)

• Switching Capacity: 25.6Tbps (full duplex)

• Forwarding Rate: 18B packets per second

• Latency: <500ns (ultra-low latency mode)

• Power Efficiency: 4.2W per 100G equivalent

• Advanced Capabilities:

• Hardware-accelerated AI collective communications

• In-network computing with programmable data plane

• Quantum-safe encryption (400Gbps line rate)

• Nanosecond-accurate timing synchronization

• Real-time network analytics at 100ns granularity

Use Cases
✔ AI Supercomputing: Distributed training fabric for LLMs
✔ Hyperscale Cloud: 400G spine deployments
✔ Exascale Storage: NVMe-over-Fabrics at petabyte scale
✔ Financial HFT: Sub-microsecond trading networks
✔ 6G Mobile Core: Terabit-scale packet processing

Next-Generation Successor: N9K-C94128D-GX (Projected 2027 Release)

Evolutionary Improvements

Strategic Advantages of Next-Gen Model

1. AI-Native Silicon: Integrated tensor processors for in-network ML

2. Photonic Fabric: Optical backplane for terabit-scale connectivity

3. Post-Quantum Security: Lattice-based cryptography acceleration

4. Deterministic Networking: <100ns jitter guaranteed

5. Sustainable Design: 60% lower carbon footprint per petabit

Migration Path Recommendations

1. Current Deployments: N9K-C9364C-GX for existing 400G infrastructures

2. Future-Proof Planning: N9K-C94128D-GX for AI clusters requiring 800G

3. Performance-Critical Apps: Prioritize upgrade for distributed AI training

4. Greenfield Sites: Consider direct deployment of 800G solutions

5. Hybrid Environments: Seamless interoperability via enhanced BRK capability

Conclusion
While the N9K-C9364C-GX delivers breakthrough 400G performance today, the N9K-C94128D-GX will push data center networking into new territory with:

• Revolutionary 800G per port density

• Integrated AI acceleration

• Photonic switching fabric

• Quantum-safe infrastructure

• Unprecedented energy efficiency

Alternative Title Options

1. "From 400G to 800G: Cisco's Roadmap for AI-Scale Networking"

2. "The Terabit Switch Era: Cisco's N9K-C9364C-GX Evolution"

3. "Networking for AI Supercomputers: Cisco's 800G Breakthrough"

4. "Sustainable Hyperscale Switching: Cisco's Path to 102.4Tbps"