Cisco Nexus 93180LC-EX Ethernet Switch

The Cisco Nexus 93180LC-EX Ethernet Switch is purpose-built for modern data centers that demand scalable, policy-driven networking with seamless automation. As a cornerstone of Cisco’s data center portfolio, this fixed-architecture switch delivers high-density port flexibility, consistent performance, and deep integration with Cisco ACI for application-centric infrastructure. Designed to support large-scale spine-and-leaf fabrics, it enables agile provisioning, simplified operations, and secure multi-tenant networking across hybrid environments. Whether you’re optimizing a new data center deployment, upgrading an existing fabric, or expanding an enterprise edge, the Nexus 93180LC-EX is engineered to handle today’s dynamic workloads with reliability, efficiency, and future-proof scalability.

• High-density, multi-rate port design: The 80 fixed ports offer multi-rate connectivity to support diverse workloads across 1/10/25/40/100 GbE speeds. This dense port architecture helps you build scalable spine-and-leaf fabrics without sacrificing space, power efficiency, or cabling simplicity, delivering the performance you need for virtualization, analytics, AI workloads, and high-volume cloud services.
• ACI-ready data center fabric: Built to harmonize with Cisco Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI), this switch provides centralized automation, policy-based provisioning, and application-centric networking across the data center. By translating business policies into consistent network behavior, it reduces manual configuration, accelerates service delivery, and improves governance for multi-tenant environments and microservice architectures.
• Low latency, predictable performance: Engineered for enterprise-grade reliability, the Nexus 93180LC-EX leverages a non-blocking forwarding architecture and optimized switching paths to minimize latency. This makes it well-suited for latency-sensitive applications, virtualized workloads, and real-time analytics where microsecond-scale responsiveness matters for user experience and service-level objectives.
• Security, segmentation, and policy enforcement: The switch supports robust security features and flexible policy enforcement to protect data and applications. With granular access controls, segmentation capabilities, and integration with Cisco’s security ecosystem, you can isolate tenants, enforce compliance, and reduce risk across your data center fabric while maintaining performance and control.
• Reliability, manageability, and efficiency: Designed for 24x7 operation, the Nexus 93180LC-EX emphasizes energy efficiency and reliability. Features such as redundant design considerations, scalable management interfaces, and integrated telemetry empower operators to monitor health, perform routine maintenance, and perform proactive optimization, all while keeping operating costs in check.

Technical Details of Cisco Nexus 93180LC-EX

• Model: Cisco Nexus 93180LC-EX Ethernet Switch
• Series: Nexus 9000 Family
• Port configuration: 80 fixed Ethernet ports with multi-rate support (1/10/25/40/100 GbE)
• Fabric and architecture: Fixed-format Nexus 9000 switch designed for spine-leaf topologies and DCN integration
• Automation and programmability: Supports policy-based automation and integration with Cisco ACI for centralized management
• Management interfaces: Enterprise-grade management options compatible with Cisco DCNM and NX-OS-based workflows
• Security: Built-in policy enforcement, segmentation options, and integration with Cisco security offerings
• Power and cooling: Optimized design for data center environments with energy-efficient operation
• Reliability: Engineered for high availability and continuous operation in demanding data center deployments

How to install Cisco Nexus 93180LC-EX

Preparing the data center for the Cisco Nexus 93180LC-EX involves planning a scalable spine-leaf fabric, cabling strategy, and the initial software provisioning. Begin by selecting an appropriate rack location with ample airflow and power capacity to support the switch’s operating requirements. Ensure a clean, organized cabling layout to simplify upgrades and maintenance, using quality cables that match your multi-rate port speeds. Mount the switch securely in a standard rack chassis, taking care to align the device for optimal airflow and accessibility to console and management ports.

Power up and perform initial hardware checks before boot. Connect management and out-of-band access paths to a secure management network, and verify that redundant power sources (if applicable) are configured according to your data center policy. Install the appropriate Cisco NX-OS or NX-API software image and perform a baseline configuration that establishes baseline management credentials, syslog destinations, NTP synchronization, and basic access controls. From there, configure the device for your chosen fabric topology—whether you’re deploying a spine-leaf fabric with VXLAN overlays or integrating with an existing Nexus environment.

Integrate with Cisco ACI for policy-driven automation. Import or define application profiles, tenants, and contracts, then map resource policies to your network fabric. Leverage Cisco DCNM or ACI to automate provisioning, monitor fabric health, and enforce service levels across workloads. Validate connectivity between leaf and spine devices, verify routing and bridging behavior, and run end-to-end tests to confirm latency, throughput, and fault-tolerance across the fabric. Finally, implement ongoing monitoring, software maintenance plans, and a change-control workflow to keep the data center fabric healthy and aligned with business requirements.

Ongoing operations should emphasize routine health checks, firmware management, and proactive optimization. Use built-in telemetry to monitor port utilization, temperature, power usage, and error counters. Leverage the switch’s programmability features to integrate with your existing automation pipelines, ensuring consistent policy enforcement and rapid remediation when issues arise. With proper installation and configuration, the Cisco Nexus 93180LC-EX becomes a resilient backbone for scalable data center networks, delivering consistent performance, simplified operations, and security-conscious topology management at scale.

Frequently asked questions

• Q: What is the primary role of the Cisco Nexus 93180LC-EX in a data center?
  A: It serves as a high-density, fixed-architecture Ethernet switch designed for spine-leaf data center fabrics, delivering multi-rate port support, low latency, and seamless integration with Cisco ACI for automated, policy-driven networking.
• Q: How does this switch integrate with Cisco ACI?
  A: The Nexus 93180LC-EX is designed to work within an ACI-enabled fabric, enabling centralized automation, application-centric policy provisioning, and simplified management across the data center network. This integration reduces manual configuration and accelerates service delivery.
• Q: What workloads benefit most from 80 fixed ports?
  A: Dense virtualized environments, big data analytics, AI/ML workloads, and multi-tenant cloud deployments benefit from the high port density and multi-rate speeds, enabling efficient east-west traffic movement within spine-leaf fabrics.
• Q: What speeds are supported on the Nexus 93180LC-EX ports?
  A: The switch supports multi-rate connectivity across common data center Ethernet speeds (1/10/25/40/100 GbE), providing flexibility to match workload requirements and future-proofing for evolving workloads.
• Q: Is this switch suitable for new data center deployments?
  A: Yes. Its fixed-architecture design, multi-rate port capability, and native ACI integration make it well-suited for building scalable, policy-driven data center fabrics from the ground up or expanding existing ecosystems with a robust spine-leaf topology.