Core Comparison Between N9K-C93108TC-EX and N9K-C92160YC-X

Aug 11 , 2025 3

I. Core Comparison Between N9K-C93108TC-EX and N9K-C92160YC-X

Positioned as "classic campus backbone" and "cloud-edge optimized" models in Cisco’s Catalyst 9300 Series FX2 platform, the N9K-C93108TC-EX and N9K-C92160YC-X target enterprise networks but diverge in design philosophy. The former excels in general campus/data center applications, while the latter shines in hybrid cloud and edge scenarios. Below is a detailed breakdown across 15 key dimensions.

II. Performance Showdown: Chips, Memory, and Storage

1. Forwarding Speed: Real-World vs. Theoretical

Both use the Cisco Silicon One P100 chipset (9.6Tbps capacity), but:

• N9K-C93108TC-EX: Delivers 4.8Bpps with 3.5μs latency, ideal for 10G/25G access layers.

• N9K-C92160YC-X: Boosts to 5.12Bpps with 3.2μs latency, optimized for high-density cloud-edge traffic.

2. Memory & Storage: Hidden Bottlenecks

• DRAM: N9K-C93108TC-EX (16GB, 1.2M BGP routes); N9K-C92160YC-X (20GB, 1.5M routes).

• TCAM: N9K-C93108TC-EX (fixed 6:4 partitioning); N9K-C92160YC-X (dynamic allocation).

• Flash: N9K-C93108TC-EX (32GB eMMC, 200MB/s); N9K-C92160YC-X (64GB UFS 3.1, 1000MB/s).

III. Feature Differentiation: From "Functional" to "Scenario-Specific"

1. Networking Protocols & Automation

• EVPN-VXLAN: N9K-C93108TC-EX (single-tenant); N9K-C92160YC-X (multi-tenant, 200k tenants).

• Automation: N9K-C92160YC-X integrates Cisco DNA Center Cloud for remote batch config.

2. Security & Compliance

• Encryption: N9K-C93108TC-EX (optional 256-bit MACsec); N9K-C92160YC-X (standard 256-bit, PCI DSS-compliant).

• Micro-Segmentation: N9K-C93108TC-EX (5k rules); N9K-C92160YC-X (100k rules with application awareness).

IV. Design & Aesthetics: Industrial Beauty for Scenarios

• Ports: N9K-C93108TC-EX (24x10G SFP+ + 12 high-density slots); N9K-C92160YC-X (18x10G SFP+ + 8 high-speed slots).

• Thermal: N9K-C93108TC-EX (bidirectional airflow, 55dB); N9K-C92160YC-X (liquid-air cooling, 50dB).

V. User Experience: Efficiency in Action

• GUI: N9K-C92160YC-X’s "cloud-edge view" simplifies cross-cloud monitoring.

• Troubleshooting: N9K-C92160YC-X’s AI engine reduces MTTR by 2 hours.

VI. Cost-Effectiveness: Long-Term Value Over Price

• Pricing: N9K-C93108TC-EX (~¥120k–150k); N9K-C92160YC-X (~¥200k–240k, 40% premium).

• Best For: N9K-C93108TC-EX for stable campus networks; N9K-C92160YC-X for evolving hybrid cloud environments.

VII. Product Advantages: Unbeatable in Their Niches

• N9K-C93108TC-EX: Affordable, reliable, and easy to manage for traditional networks.

• N9K-C92160YC-X: Future-proof, secure, and intelligent for cloud-edge innovation.

VIII. System Upgrades: Steps, Pitfalls, and Fixes (Critical!)

Upgrade Process (IOS XE 17.09 Example):

1. Pre-Upgrade: Validate compatibility, backup data, and free DRAM.

2. Upload Firmware: Prefer UFS for N9K-C92160YC-X.

3. Execute: Use maintenance mode and software install commands.

4. Validate: Check versions and roll back if needed.

Common Issues & Solutions:

• Issue 1: UFS format error on N9K-C92160YC-X → Format with format usb1:.

• Issue 2: ACL rules fail on N9K-C93108TC-EX → Delete redundant rules or upgrade hardware.

• Issue 3: Power loss during upgrade → Use UPS or Rommon recovery.