Cisco Nexus 3548-XL Switch, 48 SFP+ – High-Density 1U Data Center Networking

Unlock the power of the modern data center with the Cisco Nexus 3548-XL Switch. Engineered for dense, mission-critical environments, this 48 SFP+ port switch delivers exceptional performance, reliability, and efficiency for scale-out deployments, virtualization, and cloud workloads. Built on the trusted Cisco NX-OS foundation, the Nexus 3548-XL combines high-density connectivity with flexible network services to support today’s demanding traffic patterns, including East-West micro-traffic, storage fabrics, and multi-tenant architectures. Whether you’re building a compact, high-performance top-of-rack edge or scaling a larger spine-leaf fabric, the Nexus 3548-XL is designed to meet tomorrow’s requirements while delivering proven value today.

• High-Density 48 SFP+ Ports: Ready for 10 Gigabit Ethernet and 40 Gigabit uplinks, providing expansive connectivity for servers, storage, and virtualization hosts within a compact 1U footprint.
• Non-Blocking, Low-Latency Fabric: Designed to maximize throughput with minimal latency, delivering predictable performance for latency-sensitive workloads, virtualization, and real-time applications.
• NX-OS Powered Intelligence: Advanced Cisco NX-OS features deliver robust network services, quality of service, security policies, and simplified management for scalable data center operations.
• Data Center-Grade Reliability: Built for 24x7 operation with enterprise-grade reliability, redundancy options, and efficient cooling characteristics to help reduce operational costs over time.
• Versatile Deployment for Modern Workloads: Ideal for virtualization, cloud deployments, storage networking, and high-performance computing, supporting scalable, future-ready architectures.

Technical Details of Cisco Nexus 3548-XL Switch, 48 SFP+

• Model: Cisco Nexus 3548-XL Switch
• Ports: 48 SFP+ ports for 10/40 GbE connectivity
• Form Factor: 1U fixed chassis for rack-mounted deployments
• Switching Fabric/Throughput: High-density, low-latency forwarding designed for scalable data center fabrics
• Operating System: Cisco NX-OS for advanced features, policy-based automation, and centralized management
• Layer 2/3 Capabilities: Comprehensive support for Ethernet switching, routing, VRFs, and forwardable IPv4/IPv6 traffic
• Quality of Service (QoS): Advanced QoS to ensure predictable performance across multi-tenant and multi-application environments
• Security: Role-based access control, SSL, and feature-rich security options to protect data and infrastructure
• Power and Cooling: Efficient power usage with options for redundant power delivery and appropriate thermal design for data center racks
• Management: Programmable management through Cisco NX-OS, CLI, and compatible management platforms for automation and orchestration

How to install Cisco Nexus 3548-XL Switch

Installing the Cisco Nexus 3548-XL Switch is a straightforward process designed for rapid rack deployment and clean integration into an existing data center fabric. Begin by preparing the rack and ensuring adequate power and cooling for the unit. Mount the switch securely in a standard 19-inch rack, then connect the redundant power supplies if your configuration supports it. Attach the 48 SFP+ ports to appropriate servers, storage devices, or uplink fabrics, paying attention to cabling best practices to minimize tangling and ensure optimal signal integrity.

Power on the unit and perform the initial setup through the console or a centralized management system. Configure the NX-OS settings, including interface VLANs, routing policies, and any required VRFs or VXLAN overlays for scalable multi-tenant environments. Validate connectivity with a simple ping test across servers and storage devices, and verify that QoS policies are correctly applied to match your service levels. If you’re integrating into an established fabric, align the Nexus 3548-XL with existing spine-leaf topology, ensuring proper VLAN tagging, trunk configurations, and uplink aggregation to maximize bandwidth and redundancy.

For ongoing operations, leverage Cisco’s automation and orchestration tools to push configuration templates, monitor performance, and receive proactive health checks. Regular firmware updates and security patching help maintain a robust security posture and keep the switch compatible with evolving data center workloads. The Nexus 3548-XL’s design supports a variety of deployment models, so you can customize your leaf or spine roles according to your data center’s specific needs.

Frequently asked questions

• What workloads is the Cisco Nexus 3548-XL best suited for? It is designed for dense, high-performance data center networks, including virtualization, cloud services, storage networks, and HPC environments that require abundant 10/40 GbE connectivity and reliable, low-latency switching.
• How many SFP+ ports does it have? It features 48 SFP+ ports, enabling substantial fiber connectivity for servers, storage, and uplinks in a compact 1U form factor.
• Does it support virtualization and overlay technologies? Yes, the Nexus line typically supports advanced data center virtualization features and overlays such as VXLAN and related fabric services through NX-OS, with policy-based control and scalable segmentation.
• What management options are available? The switch runs Cisco NX-OS, offering CLI, GUI, and API-based management, along with compatibility with Cisco Network Services Orchestrator and other automation frameworks for orchestration and lifecycle management.
• What are the key reliability considerations? Expect enterprise-grade reliability, with options for redundancy in power, fans (where applicable), and resilient software upgrades to minimize downtime in production environments.