Cisco Nexus 9000 Series: N9K-C9372PX – High-Density PoE+ Enabled Data Center Switch
Product Overview
The Cisco N9K-C9372PX is a 1RU fixed-configuration switch designed for modern converged networks requiring both high-performance switching and Power over Ethernet (PoE+) capabilities. This versatile switch combines 1G/10G connectivity with robust power delivery, making it ideal for intelligent edge deployments.
Key Features & Specifications
Port Configuration:
48x 10/100/1000BASE-T PoE+ ports (30W per port, IEEE 802.3at)
6x 10G SFP+ uplink ports
2x 1G/10G management ports
Power Specifications:
Total PoE budget: 740W (with 1100W power supply)
AC/DC power options available
Performance Metrics:
Switching capacity: 960Gbps
Forwarding rate: 720Mpps
Latency: <3μs (store-and-forward)
Advanced Features:
Unified access for wired/wireless devices
Enhanced QoS for voice/video prioritization
Cisco EnergyWise power management
Secure network segmentation capabilities
Use Cases
✔ Unified Communications: IP phones, video conferencing systems
✔ Smart Buildings: IoT endpoints, security cameras, access control
✔ Retail Environments: Digital signage, POS systems
✔ Healthcare Networks: Medical IoT devices, patient monitoring
✔ Education Campuses: Classroom technology, wireless APs
Next-Generation Successor: N9K-C9396PX-FX (Projected 2025 Release)
Evolutionary Improvements
Feature | N9K-C9372PX | N9K-C9396PX-FX | Improvement |
---|---|---|---|
Port Configuration | 48x1G PoE+ | 96x2.5G/5G PoE++ | 4x density |
PoE Standard | IEEE 802.3at | IEEE 802.3bt | 90W/port max |
Total PoE Budget | 740W | 1800W | 2.4x increase |
Switching Capacity | 960Gbps | 3.2Tbps | 3.3x faster |
Power Efficiency | 85% | 92% | 7% improvement |
Uplink Speed | 10G | 25G/100G | 2.5-10x faster |
Strategic Advantages of Next-Gen Model
Ultra PoE Support: 90W per port (Type 4) for advanced devices
Multi-Gigabit Ready: 2.5G/5G/10G auto-negotiation
AI-Powered Energy Management: Predictive power allocation
Enhanced Security: Hardware-based TrustSec acceleration
Sustainable Design: 30% lower carbon footprint per port
Migration Recommendations
Current Installations: Continue using N9K-C9372PX for existing 1G PoE needs
Future Deployments: Plan for N9K-C9396PX-FX in new installations
Phased Upgrades: Prioritize high-power/high-speed areas first
Power Infrastructure: Ensure adequate power capacity for new models
Feature Adoption: Leverage new analytics and management capabilities
Conclusion
While the N9K-C9372PX remains a reliable solution for current PoE networking needs, the N9K-C9396PX-FX represents the future of intelligent power-enabled switching with:
Quadrupled port density
2.4x greater power budget
Multi-gigabit connectivity
AI-driven power optimization
Enhanced sustainability features
Alternative Title Options
"Cisco's PoE Evolution: From Standard to Ultra PoE++"
"The Future of Powered Networking: Beyond 1G PoE"
"Next-Gen Intelligent Edge: Cisco's PoE++ Revolution"
"Sustainable Power Networking: Cisco's 1800W Milestone"