Core Comparison Between N9K-C93180LC-EX and N9K-C93108TC-EX

Aug 11 , 2025 3

I. Core Comparison Between N9K-C93180LC-EX and N9K-C93108TC-EX

Positioned as "cloud-edge optimized" and "classic high-density" models in Cisco’s Catalyst 9300 Series FX2 platform, the N9K-C93180LC-EX and N9K-C93108TC-EX target enterprise networks but diverge in design philosophy. The former excels in hybrid cloud and edge scenarios, while the latter dominates in general campus/data center applications. 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-C93180LC-EX: Optimized for cloud-edge traffic (e.g., VM migration), delivering 5.12Bpps with 2.8μs latency in mixed flows.

• N9K-C93108TC-EX: Focused on balanced enterprise traffic, offering 4.8Bpps with 3.5μs latency, ideal for 10G/25G access layers.

2. Memory & Storage: Hidden Bottlenecks

• DRAM: N9K-C93180LC-EX (20GB) supports 1.5M BGP routes; N9K-C93108TC-EX (16GB) handles 1.2M routes.

• TCAM: N9K-C93180LC-EX allows dynamic partitioning; N9K-C93108TC-EX uses fixed 6:4 allocation.

• Flash: N9K-C93180LC-EX (64GB UFS 3.1, 1000MB/s); N9K-C93108TC-EX (32GB eMMC, 200MB/s).

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

1. Networking Protocols & Automation

• EVPN-VXLAN: N9K-C93108TC-EX (single-tenant); N9K-C93180LC-EX (multi-tenant, 200k tenants).

• Automation: N9K-C93180LC-EX integrates Cisco DNA Center Cloud for remote batch config; N9K-C93108TC-EX relies on local DNA Center.

2. Security & Compliance

• Encryption: N9K-C93108TC-EX (optional 256-bit MACsec); N9K-C93180LC-EX (standard 256-bit, PCI DSS-compliant).

• Micro-Segmentation: N9K-C93108TC-EX (5k rules); N9K-C93180LC-EX (100k rules with application awareness).

IV. Design & Aesthetics: Industrial Beauty for Scenarios

• Ports: N9K-C93180LC-EX (18x10G SFP+ + 14 high-speed slots); N9K-C93108TC-EX (24x10G SFP+ + 12 high-density slots).

• Thermal: N9K-C93180LC-EX (liquid-air cooling, 50dB); N9K-C93108TC-EX (bidirectional airflow, 55dB).

• Maintenance: N9K-C93180LC-EX has a 2.5-inch LCD; N9K-C93108TC-EX uses basic LEDs.

V. User Experience: Efficiency in Action

• GUI: N9K-C93180LC-EX’s "cloud-edge view" shows local/cloud topologies; N9K-C93108TC-EX uses traditional single-network views.

• Troubleshooting: N9K-C93180LC-EX’s AI engine diagnoses issues; N9K-C93108TC-EX requires manual Syslog analysis.

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

• Pricing: N9K-C93108TC-EX (~¥120k–150k); N9K-C93180LC-EX (~¥200k–240k, 40% premium).

• Best For:

• N9K-C93108TC-EX: Medium campuses with no near-term cloud expansion.

• N9K-C93180LC-EX: Hybrid cloud/multi-DC environments, avoiding 3–5 years of upgrades (5-year TCO savings ~35%).

VII. Product Advantages: Unbeatable in Their Niches

• N9K-C93108TC-EX:
  ✅ Affordable, covers 90% enterprise needs;
  ✅ Simple CLI, familiar to traditional engineers.

• N9K-C93180LC-EX:
  ✅ Cloud-edge optimized for hybrid/multi-cloud;
  ✅ Hardware-grade security (PCI DSS) + industrial compliance;
  ✅ AI-driven ops reduce large-network complexity.

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

Upgrade Process (IOS XE 17.09 Example):

1. Pre-Upgrade: Check compatibility, backup configs/logs, ensure dual PSUs, free up DRAM.

2. Upload Firmware: N9K-C93108TC-EX to eMMC; N9K-C93180LC-EX prefers UFS.

3. Execute: Enable maintenance mode, run software install, wait 15–20 minutes.

4. Validate: Check version/interfaces; rollback with software rollback if needed.

Common Issues & Solutions:

• Issue 1: N9K-C93180LC-EX fails with "Unsupported firmware format for USB".
  Fix: Format UFS (format usb1:) first (back up data!).

• Issue 2: Post-upgrade ACL rules fail on N9K-C93108TC-EX.
  Fix: Delete redundant ACLs or upgrade to N9K-C93180LC-EX.

• Issue 3: Power loss during upgrade.
  Fix: Use UPS; if failed, enter Rommon, reload firmware via tftpdnld.