Cisco Nexus N3K-C3064PQ-10GX: High-Performance 10/40G Data Center Switch

As organizations increasingly migrate to high-density cloud environments and software-defined infrastructures, the demand for scalable, high-speed switching solutions is greater than ever. The Cisco Nexus N3K-C3064PQ-10GX switch delivers high-performance Layer 2 and Layer 3 switching with ultra-low latency and exceptional throughput, making it an ideal choice for top-of-rack (ToR) deployments in modern data centers.

Product Overview: Cisco Nexus N3K-C3064PQ-10GX

The Cisco Nexus 3064PQ-10GX is a fixed-configuration, compact 1RU switch offering 48 SFP+ ports for 10 Gigabit Ethernet and 4 QSFP+ ports for 40 Gigabit Ethernet. The QSFP+ interfaces support 4x10G breakout, enabling up to 64 10-Gigabit Ethernet ports total. This switch is part of the Nexus 3000 series, which is built on a power-efficient architecture tailored for high-density 10G/40G deployments.

Key Specifications and Features

1. High-Speed, Low-Latency Switching

• Switching capacity: 1.28 Tbps
• Forwarding rate: 950 Mpps (million packets per second)
• Latency: Sub-microsecond (as low as 800 ns), essential for latency-sensitive applications such as high-frequency trading (HFT) and real-time analytics.

2. Flexible Connectivity

• 48 x 10G SFP+ ports
• 4 x 40G QSFP+ ports, each configurable as 4x10G using breakout cables
• Supports a wide range of optical and copper transceivers for flexible deployment options.

3. Advanced Layer 2 and Layer 3 Support

• Full Layer 2 feature set: VLAN, STP, RSTP, MST, private VLANs
• Layer 3 routing protocols: OSPF, BGP, EIGRP, RIP, PIM, HSRP, VRRP
• IPv4 and IPv6 dual stack
• Hardware-based multicast support for efficient data distribution

4. NX-OS Operating System

• Runs on Cisco NX-OS, the modular and resilient operating system built for data center environments
• Extensive programmability via Python scripting, REST APIs, and support for automation frameworks like Ansible, Chef, and Puppet
• Integrated Cisco Embedded Event Manager (EEM) for real-time network event handling

5. VXLAN and Network Virtualization

• Full support for VXLAN Layer 2 and Layer 3 gateways, enabling scalable, multi-tenant data center architectures
• Ideal for use in leaf-spine topologies and software-defined networking (SDN) environments

6. Energy Efficiency and Compact Form Factor

• Power-efficient architecture with <3 watts per port
• Compact 1RU form factor enables high port density in space-constrained racks

Deployment Scenarios

Top-of-Rack (ToR) Data Center Switch

Designed to serve as a high-density 10G/40G ToR switch, the 3064PQ is ideal for server aggregation in virtualized environments and private cloud platforms.

High-Frequency Trading and Financial Services

With sub-microsecond latency, the N3K-C3064PQ-10GX is purpose-built for environments that demand deterministic low-latency performance.

Cloud and Web-Scale Environments

Scalable architecture with programmable interfaces makes the switch well-suited for automation-driven, large-scale cloud deployments.

Enterprise Core or Aggregation Layer

Can serve as a compact aggregation layer switch with 40G uplinks, supporting seamless network scaling and failover.

Why Choose the Cisco Nexus 3064PQ-10GX?

• High Performance: Wire-speed Layer 2/3 switching with ultra-low latency.
• Scalability: Flexible port configuration with support for up to 64 x 10G ports.
• Programmability: Deep integration with network automation and DevOps workflows.
• Energy Efficiency: Low power consumption per port.
• Future-Proofing: Support for VXLAN, IPv6, and advanced Layer 3 protocols.

Conclusion

The Cisco Nexus N3K-C3064PQ-10GX switch is a high-performance, compact, and feature-rich platform engineered for next-generation data center deployments. With unmatched performance, flexibility, and automation capabilities, it is an optimal solution for enterprises and service providers looking to build highly scalable and responsive infrastructure.