• Cisco N9K-X9636PQ 36x40GbE QSFP+ line card in silver rack
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Cisco

Cisco N9K-X9636PQ | Nexus 9500 36-Port 40GbE QSFP+ Line Card, Non-Blocking

N9K-X9636PQ

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Description

The Cisco N9K-X9636PQ is a high-density 36-port 40 Gigabit Ethernet QSFP+ line card designed for aggregation-layer deployments in Nexus 9500 Series modular chassis. With non-blocking architecture, 2.88 Tbps switching capacity, and support for 4x10G breakout mode, it delivers line-rate performance for all packet sizes across data center spine-leaf topologies. Compatible with 4-slot and 8-slot Nexus 9500 chassis running NX-OS, this line card requires six fabric modules for maximum bandwidth and is ideal for scalable 40GbE and 10GbE aggregation.

Features

Non-blocking architecture with line-rate forwarding for all packet sizes
- Three independent network forwarding engines for distributed packet processing
- 36 MB packet buffer for burst absorption and Quality of Service (QoS)
- 4x10G breakout mode support on all QSFP+ ports for flexible 10GbE connectivity
- 2.88 Tbps full-duplex switching capacity and 4.29 bpps forwarding rate
- Low-latency forwarding optimized for data center spine-leaf topologies
- Hot-swappable design for zero-downtime maintenance and upgrades
- Comprehensive Layer 2 switching: VLANs, STP/RSTP/MSTP, LACP, port-channel
- Full Layer 3 routing: IPv4/IPv6, OSPF, BGP, EIGRP, static routing
- Advanced QoS with priority queuing, traffic shaping, and congestion avoidance
- Jumbo frame support up to 9216 bytes
- IEEE 802.3 and 802.1 standards compliance
- NX-OS operating system with comprehensive CLI and SNMP management
- Optimized for aggregation-layer deployments in 4- and 8-slot chassis
- Compatible with Cisco Nexus 9500 fabric modules for scalable performance

Warranty

All products sold by XS Network Tech include a 12-month warranty on both new and used items. Our in-house technical team thoroughly tests used hardware prior to sale to ensure enterprise-grade reliability.

All technical data should be verified on the manufacturer data sheets.

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Technical Specifications

FAQs

Technical Specifications

Port Configuration: 36x 40 Gigabit Ethernet QSFP+ ports
- Switching Capacity: 2.88 Tbps full-duplex
- Forwarding Rate: 4.29 billion packets per second (bpps)
- Buffer Memory: 36 MB
- Breakout Support: 4x10G breakout mode (up to 144x 10GbE ports)
- Architecture: Non-blocking, line-rate for all packet sizes
- Forwarding Engines: Three network forwarding engines (12 ports each)
- Fabric Connectivity: 12 internal ports per engine to fabric modules (42 Gbps rate)
- Fabric Requirements: Requires 6 fabric modules for maximum bandwidth
- Chassis Compatibility: Nexus 9504 and 9508 (4-slot and 8-slot chassis)
- Fabric Module Compatibility: N9K-C9504-FM, N9K-C9508-FM
- Operating System: NX-OS mode only (not ACI upgradeable)
- Weight: 10.76 lb (4.88 kg)
- Power Consumption: 400W maximum, 360W typical
- Layer 2 and Layer 3: Line-rate performance on all ports

FAQs

Q: What chassis models support the N9K-X9636PQ line card?
A: The N9K-X9636PQ is compatible with Cisco Nexus 9504 and 9508 chassis (4-slot and 8-slot configurations only). It is not supported in the 16-slot chassis and requires six fabric modules (N9K-C9504-FM or N9K-C9508-FM) to achieve full line-rate, non-blocking performance.

Q: Can this line card operate in both NX-OS and ACI modes?
A: No, the N9K-X9636PQ operates exclusively in NX-OS mode and cannot be upgraded to ACI mode. It is specifically designed for traditional NX-OS data center deployments requiring high-density 40GbE aggregation.

Q: Does the N9K-X9636PQ support 10 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity?
A: Yes, all 36 QSFP+ ports support 4x10G breakout mode using appropriate cables or transceivers. This allows the line card to provide up to 144 individual 10 Gigabit Ethernet SFP+ ports, making it highly flexible for mixed 10G/40G deployments.

Q: What is the difference between the N9K-X9636PQ and N9K-X9536PQ?
A: The N9K-X9636PQ is a non-blocking line card requiring six fabric modules, while the N9K-X9536PQ has 1.5:1 oversubscription and requires only three fabric modules. The N9K-X9636PQ delivers higher throughput (4.29 bpps vs 2.86 bpps) and is better suited for aggregation-layer roles, whereas the N9K-X9536PQ supports VXLAN and works in 16-slot chassis.

Q: What Layer 2 and Layer 3 features does this line card support?
A: The N9K-X9636PQ supports comprehensive Layer 2 switching including VLANs, STP, and LACP, as well as Layer 3 routing with full support for IPv4/IPv6, OSPF, BGP, and EIGRP. It delivers line-rate performance for all packet sizes and provides low-latency forwarding optimized for data center aggregation deployments.

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