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Cisco Nexus 3048 Switch
Product Overview
The Cisco Nexus® 3048 Switch (Figure 1) is a line-rate Gigabit Ethernet top-of-rack (ToR) switch and is part of the
Cisco Nexus 3000 Series Switches portfolio. The Cisco Nexus 3048, with its compact one-rack-unit (1RU) form
factor and integrated Layer 2 and 3 switching, complements the existing Cisco Nexus family of switches. This
switch runs the industry-leading Cisco® NX-OS Software operating system, providing customers with robust
features and functions that are deployed in thousands of data centers worldwide. The Cisco Nexus 3048 is ideal for
big data customers that require a Gigabit Ethernet ToR switch with local switching that connects transparently to
upstream Cisco Nexus switches, providing an end-to-end Cisco Nexus fabric in their data centers. This switch
supports both forward and reversed airflow schemes with AC and DC power inputs.
Figure 1. Cisco Nexus 3048 Switch
Main Benefits
The Cisco Nexus 3048 provides the following main benefits:
●
Wire-rate Layer 2 and 3 switching
◦ Layer 2 and 3 switching of up to 176 Gigabit per second (Gbps) and more than 132 million packets per
second (mpps) in a compact 1RU form-factor switch
●
Robust and purpose-built Cisco NX-OS operating system for end-to-end Cisco Nexus fabric
◦ Transparent integration with the Cisco Nexus family of switches to provide a consistent end-to-end Cisco
Nexus fabric
◦ Modular operating system built for resiliency
◦ Integration with Cisco Data Center Network Manager (DCNM) and XML management tools
●
Comprehensive feature set and innovations for next-generation data centers
◦ Virtual PortChannel (vPC) provides Layer 2 multipathing through the elimination of Spanning Tree
Protocol and enables fully utilized bisectional bandwidth and simplified Layer 2 logical topologies without
the need to change the existing management and deployment models.
◦ Power On Auto Provisioning (POAP) enables touchless bootup and configuration of the switch, drastically
reducing provisioning time.
◦ Cisco Embedded Event Manager (EEM) and Python scripting enable automation and remote operations
in the data center.
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10GBASE-SR SFP+ module (multimode fiber [MMF])
Cisco 10GBASE-SR SFP+ Module for MMF
10GBASE-LR SFP+ module (single-mode fiber [SMF])
◦ Advanced buffer monitoring reports real-time buffer utilization per port and per queue, which allows
organizations to monitor traffic bursts and application traffic patterns.
◦ The 64-way equal-cost multipath (ECMP) routing enables Layer 3 fat tree designs and allows
organizations to prevent network bottlenecks, increase resiliency, and add capacity with little network
disruption.
◦ EtherAnalyzer is a built-in packet analyzer for monitoring and troubleshooting control-plane traffic and is
based on the popular Wireshark open source network protocol analyzer.
◦ Precision Time Protocol (PTP; IEEE 1588) provides accurate clock synchronization and improved data
correlation with network captures and system events.
◦ Full Layer 3 unicast and multicast routing protocol suites are supported, including Border Gateway
Protocol (BGP), Open Shortest Path First (OSPF), Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol
(EIGRP), Routing Information Protocol Version 2 (RIPv2), Protocol Independent Multicast sparse mode
(PIM-SM), Source-Specific Multicast (SSM), and Multicast Source Discovery Protocol (MSDP).
●
Network traffic monitoring with Cisco Nexus Data Broker
◦ Build simple, scalable and cost-effective network tap or Cisco Switched Port Analyzer (SPAN)
aggregation for network traffic monitoring and analysis.
Configuration
●
48 fixed 10/100/1000-Mbps Ethernet ports
●
4 fixed Enhanced Small Form-Factor Pluggable (SFP+) ports
●
Locator LED
●
Dual redundant power supplies
●
Fan tray with redundant fans
●
Two 10/100/1000-Mbps management ports*
●
One RS-232 serial console port
●
One USB port
●
Locator LED and button
Support for both forward (port-side exhaust) and reversed (port-side intake) airflow schemes is available.
Transceiver and Cabling Options
For uplink connectivity, the Cisco Nexus 3048 supports SFP+ direct-attach 10 Gigabit Ethernet copper, an
innovative solution that integrates transceivers with Twinax cables into an energy-efficient and low-cost solution.
For longer cable runs, multimode and single-mode optical SFP+ transceivers are supported. Table 1 lists the
supported 10 Gigabit Ethernet transceiver options.
Table 1. Cisco Nexus 3048 10 Gigabit Transceiver Support Matrix1
*
Only one Management port is enabled and active with no plan to enable both.
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Cisco 10GBASE-LRM SFP+ Module for MMF and SMF
Cisco multirate 10GBASE-ZR, 10GBASE-ZW and OTU2e SFP+ Module for SMF
Cisco 10GBASE DWDM SFP+, Type 40
10GBASE-CU SFP+ cable 1m (Twinax cable)
10GBASE-CU SFP+ cable 3m (Twinax cable)
10GBASE-CU SFP+ cable 5m (Twinax cable)
10GBASE-CU SFP+ Cable 7 Meter, active
10GBASE-CU SFP+ Cable 10 Meter, active
10GBASE-AOC SFP+ Cable 1 Meter – 10 Meter
Common software throughout the data center: Cisco NX-OS runs on all Cisco data
center switch platforms: Cisco Nexus 7000, 5000, 4000, 3000, 2000, and 1000V
Series.
● Simplification of data center operating
environment
● End-to-end Cisco Nexus and Cisco NX-OS fabric
● No retraining necessary for data center
engineering and operations teams
Software compatibility: Cisco NX-OS interoperates with Cisco products running any
variant of Cisco IOS Software and also with any networking OS that conforms to the
networking standards listed as supported in this data sheet.
● Transparent operation with existing network
infrastructure
● Open standards
● No compatibility concerns
Modular software design: Cisco NX-OS is designed to support distributed
multithreaded processing. Cisco NX-OS modular processes are instantiated on
demand, each in a separate protected memory space. Thus, processes are started
and system resources allocated only when a feature is enabled. The modular
processes are governed by a real-time preemptive scheduler that helps ensure
timely processing of critical functions.
● Robust software
● Fault tolerance
● Increased scalability
● Increased network availability
Troubleshooting and diagnostics: Cisco NX-OS is built with unique serviceability
functions to enable network operators to take early action based on network trends
and events, enhancing network planning and improving network operations center
(NOC) and vendor response times. Cisco Smart Call Home and Cisco Online Health
Management System (OHMS) are some of the features that enhance the
serviceability of Cisco NX-OS.
● Quick problem isolation and resolution
● Continuous system monitoring and proactive
notifications
● Improved productivity of operations teams
For more information about the transceiver types, see
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/modules/ps5455/prod_module_series_home.html.
Cisco NX-OS Software Overview
Cisco NX-OS is a data center-class operating system built with modularity, resiliency, and serviceability at its
foundation. Cisco NX-OS helps ensure continuous availability and sets the standard for mission-critical data center
environments. The self-healing and highly modular design of Cisco NX-OS makes zero-impact operations a reality
and enables exceptional operation flexibility.
Focused on the requirements of the data center, Cisco NX-OS provides a robust and comprehensive feature set
that meets the networking requirements of present and future data centers. With an XML interface and a
command-line interface (CLI) like that of Cisco IOS® Software, Cisco NX-OS provides state-of-the-art
implementations of relevant networking standards as well as a variety of true data center-class Cisco innovations.
Cisco NX-OS Software Benefits
Table 2 summarizes the benefits that Cisco NX-OS offers.
Table 2. Benefits of Cisco NX-OS Software
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Ease of management: Cisco NX-OS provides a programmatic XML interface based
on the NETCONF industry standard. The Cisco NX-OS XML interface provides a
consistent API for devices. Cisco NX-OS also supports Simple Network Management
Protocol (SNMP) Versions 1, 2, and 3 MIBs.
● Rapid development and creation of tools for
enhanced management
● Comprehensive SNMP MIB support for efficient
remote monitoring
Using the Cisco Nexus Data Broker software and Cisco Plug-in for OpenFlow agent,
the Cisco Nexus 3048 Switch can be used to build a scalable, cost-effective, and
programmable tap or SPAN aggregation infrastructure. This approach replaces the
traditional purpose-built matrix switches with these switches. You can interconnect
these switches to build a multilayer topology for tap or SPAN aggregation
infrastructure.
● Scalable and cost effective
● Robust traffic filtering capabilities
● Traffic aggregation from multiple input ports
across different switches
● Traffic replication and forwarding to multiple
monitoring tools
Role-based access control (RBAC): With RBAC, Cisco NX-OS enables
administrators to limit access to switch operations by assigning roles to users.
Administrators can customize access and restrict it to the users who require it.
● Tight access control mechanism based on user
roles
● Improved network device security
● Reduction in network problems arising from
human errors
System default (no license
required)
● Comprehensive Layer 2 feature set: VLAN, IEEE 802.1Q Trunking, vPC, Link Aggregation Control Protocol
(LACP), Unidirectional Link Detection (UDLD; standard and aggressive), Multiple Spanning Tree Protocol
(MSTP), Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP), Spanning Tree Protocol guards, and Transparent VLAN Trunk
Protocol (VTP)
● Security: Authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA); Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)
snooping; storm control; configurable Control-Plane Policing (CoPP); and private VLAN (PVLAN)
● Management features: Cisco DCNM support, console, Secure Shell Version 2 (SSHv2) access, Cisco
Discovery Protocol, SNMP, and syslog
Base license
(N3K-C3048-BAS1K9)
● Layer 3 IP routing: Inter-VLAN routing (IVR), static routes, RIPv2, access control list (ACLs), OSPFv2 (limited
to 256 routes), EIGRP stub, Hot Standby Router Protocol (HSRP), Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol
(VRRP), and Unicast Reverse-Path Forwarding (uRPF)
● Multicast: PIM-SM, SSM, and MSDP
LAN Enterprise license
(N3K-C3048-LAN1K9)*
● Advanced Layer 3 IP routing: OSPFv2, EIGRP, BGP, and Virtual Route Forwarding lite (VRF-lite)
Cisco Nexus Data Broker
license (NDB-FX-SWT-K9)
● License for using the tap and SPAN aggregation functions with Cisco Nexus Data Broker; only the Base license
is needed for this feature
Cisco NX-OS Software Packages for Cisco Nexus 3048
The Cisco NX-OS Software package for the Cisco Nexus 3048 offers flexibility and a comprehensive feature set
along with consistency with Cisco Nexus access switches. The default system software has a comprehensive
Layer 2 feature set with extensive security and management features. To enable Layer 3 IP unicast and multicast
routing functions, additional licenses need to be installed. Table 3 lists the software licensing details.
Table 3. Cisco NX-OS Software Package in the Cisco Nexus 3048
*
The Base license (N3K-C3048-BAS1K9) is required to take advantage of LAN Enterprise license (N3K-C3048-LAN1K9)
features. Table 5 later in this document provides a complete feature list.
Cisco Data Center Network Manager
The Cisco Nexus 3048 is supported in Cisco DCNM. Cisco DCNM is designed for hardware platforms enabled for
Cisco NX-OS, which consist of the Cisco Nexus Family of products. Cisco DCNM is a Cisco management solution
that increases overall data center infrastructure uptime and reliability, hence improving business continuity.
Focused on the management requirements of the data center network, Cisco DCNM provides a robust framework
and comprehensive feature set that meets the routing, switching, and storage administration needs of present and
future data centers. In particular, Cisco DCNM automates the provisioning process, proactively monitors the LAN
by detecting performance degradation, secures the network, and streamlines the diagnosis of dysfunctional
network elements.