Cisco Nexus 3524-XL Switch – 24 SFP+ 10-Gigabit Ethernet

Meet the Cisco Nexus 3524-XL Switch, a dense, high-performance 24-port SFP+ solution engineered for data centers, campus cores, and high-demand server-farm deployments. This switch is built to handle line-rate Layer 2 and Layer 3 forwarding with low latency, delivering the speed and reliability required for modern applications, virtualization, and storage networks. With Cisco’s Nexus software foundation, the 3524-XL integrates into Cisco’s broader data center fabric story, providing a scalable, manageable, and resilient platform that grows with your network. Its 24 SFP+ ports give you abundant 10-Gigabit connectivity for servers, storage devices, and uplinks, while its compact chassis fits neatly into standard 19-inch racks for flexible data center layouts. If you’re planning a dense leaf-spine fabric, a top-of-rack aggregation layer, or a reliable core switch with strong east-west performance, the Nexus 3524-XL is designed to meet demanding throughput, QoS, and network virtualization requirements while keeping management straightforward for your IT staff.

• 24 x SFP+ ports deliver high-density 10-Gigabit Ethernet connectivity for servers, storages, and uplink aggregation, enabling scalable, future-ready data center designs.
• Layer 2 and Layer 3 switching at line rate ensures predictable performance for virtualized workloads, with features like VLANs, QoS, multicast, and robust routing options to optimize traffic flow.
• Cisco NX-OS-powered management offers a secure, feature-rich operating environment with an intuitive CLI, automation capabilities, and seamless integration into Cisco data center ecosystems.
• Energy-efficient design and optimized cooling support dense deployments, helping reduce total cost of ownership while maintaining reliable operation in busy data center environments.
• Designed for scalability and reliability in modern fabrics, the 3524-XL supports flexible deployment models, fabric integration, and resilient networking that can evolve with your business needs.

Technical Details of Cisco Nexus 3524-XL Switch

• Port density: 24 x 10-Gigabit SFP+ ports for dense, scalable connectivity to servers, storage, and uplinks
• Forwarding architecture: Switch-on-a-Chip (SoC) design delivering line-rate Layer 2 and Layer 3 forwarding for predictable performance
• Networking capabilities: supports essential L2 features (VLANs, port channels, spanning tree) and L3 features (routing, ACLs, multicast) to support diverse data center workloads
• Management and automation: runs Cisco NX-OS with programmable interfaces, CLI access, and APIs that integrate with data center orchestration tools
• Physical and environmental: designed for rack-mount deployment in standard 19-inch racks, with cooling and power management suited to data center operation

How to install Cisco Nexus 3524-XL Switch

• Plan placement in a cooled, well-ventilated data center rack; ensure sufficient clearance for airflow and maintenance access
• Physically install the switch in a standard 19-inch rack, securing mounting ears and ensuring stable, level mounting
• Connect power and verify the power source is stable; connect a console cable to access the NX-OS CLI for initial configuration
• Perform initial setup by configuring management access (management IP, secure access methods), and enable basic Layer 2/3 features you plan to deploy
• Connect 24 SFP+ cables to the appropriate devices (servers, storage, uplinks), then validate link status and perform basic connectivity tests to core or aggregation switches

Frequently asked questions

• What is the Cisco Nexus 3524-XL Switch best suited for? It’s ideal for data center environments and enterprise networks requiring high-density 10-Gigabit connectivity, scalable Layer 2/3 features, and tight integration with Cisco’s Nexus fabric ecosystem.
• How many SFP+ ports does it provide? It provides 24 SFP+ ports, delivering dense 10-Gigabit connectivity for downlinks and uplinks.
• Does it run Cisco NX-OS? Yes, the switch operates on Cisco NX-OS, offering a secure, modular, and programmable operating system suitable for data center deployment.
• Can it integrate with a Nexus fabric or spine-leaf topology? The 3524-XL is designed to participate in Cisco data center fabrics and can be integrated into scalable spine-leaf or top-of-rack designs as a performance-driven leaf or aggregation switch.
• What management options are available? Management can be performed via the NX-OS CLI, a web-like GUI interface, and REST/API access for automation and orchestration within modern data center workflows.