Cisco Nexus 9500 Linecard

Discover the Cisco Nexus 9500 Linecard, a high-density service module designed for data networking and optical networks within Cisco’s Nexus 9500 family. This 52-slot expansion line card provides scalable capacity to accommodate growing workloads, virtualization, and multi-tenant environments while maintaining robust performance. Built to integrate with existing Nexus infrastructure, the line card combines modularity, reliability, and efficient operation, delivering a flexible foundation for modern data centers. With its service-module architecture, administrators gain granular control over deployment, maintenance, and future upgrades, ensuring minimal downtime and maximum productivity. Whether you’re expanding core capabilities, enhancing aggregation, or enabling advanced optical connectivity, the Nexus 9500 Linecard empowers you to deploy, scale, and optimize with confidence.

• 52 x expansion slots offer extraordinary scalability for growing data-center deployments, allowing you to add new ports, services, and applications without replacing the chassis. This density supports large-scale virtualization, multi-tenant segmentation, and high-bandwidth workloads, making it ideal for dynamic, future-proof infrastructure.
• Designed for data networking and optical network workloads, the line card delivers consistent performance, low latency, and high throughput to support core, distribution, and access layer deployments. It enables efficient fiber connectivity, seamless integration with optical transceivers, and resilient pathing across diverse network topologies.
• Service Module architecture enables flexible deployment options, easy replacement, and simplified maintenance in busy data-center environments. Its modular design supports targeted upgrades and streamlined field service, reducing operational disruption during upgrades or fault remediation.
• Energy-efficient design and hot-swappable components maximize uptime and reduce power and cooling costs, making it suitable for 24/7 operations. Optimized airflow, intelligent power management, and telemetry features help maintain optimal operating conditions in dense data-center racks.
• Integrated with Cisco management tools and the Nexus ecosystem, ensuring seamless compatibility with existing controllers, telemetry, and security features. The line card supports software-defined networking capabilities, centralized policy enforcement, and holistic visibility through NX-OS environments.

Technical Details of Cisco Nexus 9500 Linecard

• Product Type: Line Card
• Form Factor: Service Module designed for the Cisco Nexus 9500 chassis
• Expansion Slots: 52
• Module Type: Service Module
• Primary Applications: Data networking and optical network workloads
• Compatibility: Cisco Nexus 9500 chassis family
• Management and Telemetry: Integrated with NX-OS and Nexus ecosystem for centralized control and monitoring
• Reliability and Efficiency: Designed for high availability and optimized power/cooling in data-center environments

How to install Cisco Nexus 9500 Linecard

• Power down the Nexus 9500 chassis and follow proper electrostatic discharge precautions before handling the line card.
• Identify the correct 52-slot expansion region in the chassis and confirm compatibility with your Nexus 9500 model and fabric rules.
• Carefully align the line card’s edge connectors with the backplane guides and gently slide the card into the chassis until it seats securely with a firm click.
• Reconnect required interconnects, fans, and power rails as per Cisco installation guidelines. Ensure cabling is neatly organized to promote optimal airflow and cooling.
• Power on the chassis, verify the line card is detected in the console, and run basic health checks and diagnostics to confirm proper operation and status.

Frequently asked questions

• Q: What is the Cisco Nexus 9500 Linecard? A high-density service module designed for data networking and optical networks within Cisco Nexus 9500 chassis, enabling scalable expansion and flexible deployment across modern data centers.
• Q: How many expansion slots does it have? A: 52 expansion slots, providing extensive room for future growth, multiple port configurations, and diverse service deployments.
• Q: Is it compatible with all Cisco Nexus 9500 models? A: It is designed for use with the Nexus 9500 chassis family; confirm model compatibility and fabric requirements in your deployment plan and refer to Cisco documentation for specifics.
• Q: Does the linecard support hot-swapping? A: The linecard is designed for use in compatible Nexus 9500 chassis with hot-swapping capability, allowing you to upgrade or replace components while minimizing downtime following proper procedures.
• Q: What benefits does this linecard provide? A: It delivers high-density scalability, robust data-path performance for data networking and optical networks, and seamless integration with Cisco management tools and the Nexus ecosystem for streamlined operations.
• Q: Where can I find more technical specifications? A: Technical details are typically listed in the product specifications section of official listings (such as Cisco or approved distributors); consult the vendor datasheets and Cisco documentation for precise figures and compatibility notes.