Cisco Nexus 9396PX vs 93180YC-FX3
The Nexus 9396PX is an end-of-life 10G SFP+ leaf switch; the 93180YC-FX3 is its modern Cloud Scale replacement with 25G access ports, 100G uplinks, and nearly double the switching capacity. For 9396PX still in service, the 93180YC-FX3 is the supported, port-compatible-direction refresh.
Cisco Nexus 9396PX
End-of-life 48-port 1/10G SFP+ Nexus 9300 leaf switch with 40G uplink module.
- 48x 1/10G SFP+ downlinks
- Up to 12x 40G QSFP+ uplinks via uplink module
- 1.92 Tbps switching capacity
- End of sale and end of support; 10G/40G era, no 25/100G or Cloud Scale ASIC
Cisco Nexus 93180YC-FX3
Current 48-port 10/25G Cloud Scale leaf switch with 100G uplinks.
- 48x 1/10/25G SFP28 downlinks (backward compatible with 10G optics)
- 6x 40/100G QSFP28 uplinks
- 3.6 Tbps switching capacity on Cloud Scale ASIC
- NX-OS or ACI mode with PTP/SyncE and modern streaming telemetry
Cisco Nexus 9396PX vs Cisco Nexus 93180YC-FX3: spec comparison
| Spec | Cisco Nexus 9396PX | Cisco Nexus 93180YC-FX3 |
|---|---|---|
| Access (downlink) ports | 48x 1/10G SFP+ | 48x 1/10/25G SFP28 |
| Access speed per port | 10G max | 25G max (10G compatible) |
| Uplinks | Up to 12x 40G QSFP+ | 6x 40/100G QSFP28 |
| Switching capacity | 1.92 Tbps | 3.6 Tbps |
| Forwarding rate | ~1500 Mpps | ~1.2 Bpps |
| ASIC | First-gen Nexus 9300 (Broadcom/legacy) | Cisco Cloud Scale |
| Operating modes | NX-OS (and limited ACI) | NX-OS or ACI |
| Precision timing (PTP/SyncE) | No | Yes |
| Rack height | 2RU | 1RU |
| Lifecycle status | End of sale and end of support | Current shipping product |
Choose Cisco Nexus 9396PX if
Keep the 9396PX only as a short bridge before refresh. It is past end of support and caps you at 10G access and 40G uplinks, so it should not anchor a new fabric.
Choose Cisco Nexus 93180YC-FX3 if
Choose the 93180YC-FX3 for the refresh: same 48x SFP-style access density but now at 25G, 100G uplinks, ~3.6 Tbps capacity on Cloud Scale, NX-OS or ACI, and a 1RU footprint, while still accepting your existing 10G optics during transition.
Verdict
Migrate from the Nexus 9396PX to the 93180YC-FX3. The 9396PX is end of life at 10G/40G, while the 93180YC-FX3 doubles capacity, adds 25G access and 100G uplinks, and supports modern Cloud Scale telemetry. Because its SFP28 ports accept 10G optics, the transition from 9396PX is especially smooth.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Nexus 9396PX end of life?
Yes. The Nexus 9396PX has reached end of sale and end of support. The Cloud Scale 93180YC-FX3 is the current-generation replacement.
Can I reuse my 10G optics from the 9396PX in the 93180YC-FX3?
Yes. The 93180YC-FX3's SFP28 access ports are backward compatible with 10G SFP+ optics, so you can reuse much of your existing 10G cabling during migration.
How much more capacity does the 93180YC-FX3 have?
About double: roughly 3.6 Tbps on the 93180YC-FX3 versus 1.92 Tbps on the 9396PX, with substantially higher packet-forwarding rates.
Does the 93180YC-FX3 support 100G uplinks?
Yes. It provides six QSFP28 uplinks configurable as 40G or 100G, versus the 9396PX's 40G QSFP+ uplinks.
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.