Cisco Nexus 6001 vs Nexus 93180YC-FX3
The Nexus 93180YC-FX3 is the modern NX-OS or ACI top-of-rack replacement for the end-of-life Nexus 6001, jumping from 10G copper access with 40G uplinks to 25G SFP28 access with 100G uplinks and Cloud Scale features like MACsec and PTP. Any Nexus 6001 still in service should be refreshed to the 93180YC-FX3.
Cisco Nexus 6001T
Legacy 1RU 10/40G top-of-rack switch with copper access ports, now end of life.
- 48x 1/10GBASE-T copper plus 4x 40G QSFP+ uplinks
- 1.28 Tbps throughput, cut-through switching
- Low latency (~3.3 microsecond) with 256K MAC entries
- End of life; end of sale reached April 2017
Cisco Nexus 93180YC-FX3
Current Cloud Scale 1RU top-of-rack switch with 25G access and 100G uplinks, NX-OS or ACI.
- 48x 1/10/25G SFP28 plus 6x 40/100G QSFP28
- 3.6 Tbps throughput and 1.2 Bpps forwarding
- Cloud Scale FX3 ASIC with MACsec and SyncE/PTP
- Runs standalone NX-OS or Cisco ACI fabric
Cisco Nexus 6001T vs Cisco Nexus 93180YC-FX3: spec comparison
| Spec | Cisco Nexus 6001T | Cisco Nexus 93180YC-FX3 |
|---|---|---|
| Form factor | 1 RU | 1 RU |
| Access ports | 48x 1/10GBASE-T (copper) | 48x 1/10/25G SFP28 |
| Uplink ports | 4x 40G QSFP+ | 6x 40/100G QSFP28 |
| Switching throughput | 1.28 Tbps | 3.6 Tbps |
| Forwarding rate | About 950 Mpps | 1.2 Bpps |
| ASIC | Nexus 6000 generation | Cloud Scale FX3 |
| MACsec encryption | No | Yes |
| Timing (SyncE/PTP) | No | Yes |
| Software / mode | NX-OS | NX-OS or ACI |
| Lifecycle status | End of life | Current shipping product |
Choose Cisco Nexus 6001T if
Keep the Nexus 6001 only to bridge a copper-attached server rack until migration. It is end of life and limited to 10G copper access, so it should not anchor new capacity.
Choose Cisco Nexus 93180YC-FX3 if
Choose the Nexus 93180YC-FX3 for any modern top-of-rack refresh. It moves you to 25G server access and 100G uplinks, adds MACsec and precision timing, and gives you the option of running ACI or standalone NX-OS.
Verdict
Replace the Nexus 6001 with the Nexus 93180YC-FX3. The 6001 is end of life and capped at 10G copper access with 40G uplinks, while the 93180YC-FX3 nearly triples throughput, moves to 25G/100G, and adds Cloud Scale features such as MACsec and PTP. It also unlocks an ACI migration path the 6001 never had.
Frequently asked questions
What is the replacement for the Cisco Nexus 6001?
The Nexus 93180YC-FX3 is a common modern top-of-rack replacement, offering 25G access, 100G uplinks, and Cloud Scale features under NX-OS or ACI.
How much faster is the 93180YC-FX3 than the Nexus 6001?
The 93180YC-FX3 provides 3.6 Tbps of switching versus 1.28 Tbps on the Nexus 6001, while raising access speed from 10G to 25G and uplinks from 40G to 100G.
Is the Cisco Nexus 6001 end of life?
Yes. The Nexus 6001 reached end of sale in 2017 and is end of life, so it no longer receives new software or hardware support.
Can the 93180YC-FX3 run Cisco ACI?
Yes. The 93180YC-FX3 can run as a standalone NX-OS switch or as a leaf in a Cisco ACI fabric, which the Nexus 6001 could not do.
More Nexus comparisons
Specs are for planning and may change; Uniqcli confirms the current Cisco bill of materials and pricing on your quote. Cisco, Catalyst, Nexus, Meraki, and Firepower are trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc.; Uniqcli LLC is an independent authorized Cisco partner.