Cisco Nexus 9300 Platform Switches Ordering Guide
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This ordering guide provides a detailed overview to configure Cisco Nexus® 9300 Platform Switches and associated hardware and software components in Cisco Commerce. Configurations of Cisco Nexus 9300 Platform Switches primarily have the following components:
1. Hardware components, including optics
2. Software images and licenses
3. Technical services
The document captures examples of configurations of some of the popular switches. Please refer to Cisco Nexus 9300 Switch Data Sheets for product information and the Cisco® List Price Catalog for available product information. The taxonomy of the Cisco Nexus 9000 Switches is captured here link. A brief overview of the Cisco Data Center Networking (DCN) software licensing options is available here.
New to the ordering process starting August 2020 are three switch modes. Selecting one is a requirement. This is to ensure the intent of the switch is captured: MODE-NXOS, MODE-ACI-LEAF, MODE-ACI-SPINE. The software images and licenses applicable to each switch mode are made available per below:
● Cisco ACI® software images require MODE-ACI-LEAF and MODE-ACI-SPINE; similarly, we allow only NX-OS software images in MODE-NXOS
● Cisco DCN Tier Software Licenses (Perpetual and Subscription) which support both ACI and NXOS features are supported on MODE-ACI-LEAF and MODE-NXOS (ACI Spines do not require a Tier License)
● Cisco DCN Subscription Advantage 3Y Term is always defaulted (not mandated) for MODE-NXOS and MODE-ACI-LEAF switch modes.
● Cisco NX-OS Tier Software Perpetual Licenses are supported in MODE-NXOS only
● Cisco DCN Add-on licenses like Storage or Security are optional if applicable to the switch and are available for all modes.
Step-by-step ordering procedure for N9K-C93180YC-FX
Step 1: Open the Cisco Commerce tool to create an estimate.
Enter N9K-C93180YC-FX in the search box. After the field is populated, click on Add.
Step 2: Click on Select Options to choose the desired configuration. The switches are preconfigured with the most typical default options as below with the exception of the power cable, as shown in the figure. To select the appropriate power cable, refer to the header Power and select Power Cable. Choose the power cable according to the region in which it will be used (North America, EU, India, etc.). However, these default selections are user-changeable to any desired customizable options.
To customize, the user typically needs to configure two broad categories of features to select from: Hardware and Software.
1. Switch Mode: MODE-NXOS, switch mode is defaulted, user can change this default to any desired mode.
2. Software Images: Based on the switch mode selected, either NXOS software image or ACI software image is available for selection
3. Software Licenses: 3Y Term DCN Advantage Subscription Tier License is defaulted. User can opt out of this default and choose a different Subscription or Perpetual offering as desired. User needs to select an opt out PID: C1-SUBS-OPTOUT, if required. C1-SUBS-OPTOUT can be found in DCN Subscription Opt Out Options. The DCN Add-on licenses are optional and can be selected if required.
DCN Subscription Opt Out Options
Subscription-based Cisco Data Center Networking Premier/Advantage/Essential
Perpetual-based Cisco Data Center Networking Advantage/Essentials license
Note: Only one set of license can be selected at the same time among Essentials/Advantage/Premier Tier license options.
4. Accessories selection: An accessory kit is automatically added to the product configuration. If no accessory kit is desired, the user is allowed to select NO-ACC-KIT instead.
5. Power and fans selection: The section includes options for fans, power cables, and power supplies. When selecting the fan and power supply, the selection of an appropriate airflow direction, either portside intake or portside exhaust, should be consistent. When selecting fans, four fans are defaulted for each switch, as shown below.
For the power supply selection, we have the following AC/DC/HV-AC-DC with portside intake or exhaust options.
For the power cable, as noted in the section above, the selection will be based on the geographical location of the product.
6. Optics and transceiver modules selection: There are three transceiver and cable connectivity options to choose from: 1/10/25 Gbps, 40 Gbps, and 100 Gbps. Please select based on the requirements of your system. For optics supported on a given Nexus 9300 switch, please refer to the Cisco Optics Matrix for the most updated support.
Step 3: Verify the configuration and click on Done. After all options are selected, for either the Default or Customizable Option, the product configuration should be verified. To do this, click on View Full Summary at the top, to the right of the Configuration Summary header. After verification, return to the original configuration page and click on Done. If there are any errors in the configuration, an alert will pop up with instructions on how to correct the error. If the configuration is successful, the Done Messages box will appear, highlighting the product configurations that are successful. Click on Done once more to confirm the order. To make any changes, click on Return to Configuration or click on Add/Edit Services.
Step 4: Select the required Technical Services. To simplify, all Cisco Nexus 9300 Platform Switches have two attach points for Cisco Support Services SKUs:
1. A hardware SKU and
2. A software SKU for Software Support. This is only applicable for the perpetual software licensing PID. The Cisco DCN Subscription Licenses include software maintenance and technical support services.
If you are selecting perpetual software, please be sure to add the SWSS or Solution Support with SWSS SKU. Once you have finished selecting software, hardware, and license configurations, click on Edit Service/Subscription.
For Cisco NX-OS Configurations:
Hardware service: Click on “Add a service SKU” or “change service” and select the desired support; click on Apply, and the appropriate Cisco Smart Net Total Care (SNTC) or Solution Support with Smart Net SKU is added, then click on Done.
Software service: Click on “Add a service SKU” or “change service” and select the desired support; click on Apply, and the appropriate SWSS or Solution Support with SWSS SKU is added, then click on Done.
Perpetual Cisco NX-OS Tier license SWSS
For Cisco ACI Configurations:
DCN licenses only use Solution Support service levels. There is a requirement for service program alignment between the product components that will trigger selection of a Solution Support program at the hardware layer. The configuration allows for any service level within that program that is desired.
Hardware and Software services:
Choose “All Service Programs” and Select Solution Support with SNTC. Select the desired service level and note that this comes with a software support level assigned with it for ease of configuration. Click on Apply to finish.
Perpetual DCN Tier license SWSS
Your order is now complete.
Step-by-step ordering procedure for N9K-C9364C
Step 1: Open the Cisco Commerce tool to create an estimate.
Enter N9K-C9364C in the search box. After the field is populated, click on Add.
Step 2: Click on Select Options to choose the desired configuration. The switches are preconfigured with the most typical default options; however, these are user-changeable to any desired customizable option.
N9K-C9364C has the Default Switch mode, MODE-ACI-SPINE, all choices are preselected with the exception of the power cable. MODE-NXOS is a customizable option for this PID. In this mode, a 3-Year Cisco Data Center Networking Advantage Subscription License is defaulted in the configuration; C1-SUBSOPTOUT needs to be selected to opt out of this, if required.
To customize, the user typically needs to configure two broad categories of features to select from: Hardware and Software. When selecting Hardware, along with the switch, the subcomponents given below are available for the configuration:
1. Switch Mode: MODE-ACI-SPINE, switch mode is defaulted, user can change this default to any desired mode.
2. Software Images: Based on the switch mode selected, either NXOS software image or ACI software image is available for selection
3. Software Licenses: ACI Spine does not require any Tier Licenses. If MODE-NXOS is selected, 3Y Term DCN Advantage Subscription Tier License is defaulted. User can opt out of this default and choose a different Subscription or Perpetual offering as desired. User needs to select an opt out PID: C1-SUBS-OPTOUT, if required. C1-SUBS-OPTOUT can be found in DCN Subscription Opt Out Options. The DCN Add-on licenses are optional and can be selected if required.
DCN Subscription Tier Licenses
Optional DCN Subscription Add-on Licenses
DCN Perpetual-based Advantage/Essentials license
4. Accessories selection: An Accessory Kit and a Rack Mount Kit are automatically added to the product configuration. If no Rack Mount Kit is desired, the user is allowed to select NO-ACC-KIT instead.
5. Power and fans selection: When selecting the fans and power supply, selection of an appropriate airflow direction, either portside intake or portside exhaust, should be consistent. When selecting fans, four fans are defaulted for each switch, as shown below.
For the power supply selection, we have the following AC/DC/HV-AC-DC with portside intake or exhaust options.
For the power cable, as noted in the default section, the selection will be based on the geographical location of the product.
6. Optics and transceiver modules selection: There are three transceiver and cable connectivity options to choose from: 1/10/25 Gbps, 40 Gbps, and 100 Gbps. Please select based on your system’s requirements. For optics supported on any given Nexus 9300 platform, please refer to the Cisco Optics Matrix for the most updated support.
Step 3: Verify the configuration and click on Done. After all options are selected, for either the Default or Customizable Option, the product configuration should be verified. To do this, click on View Full Summary at the top, to the right of the Configuration Summary header. After verification, return to the original configuration page and click on Done. If there are any errors in the configuration, an alert will pop up with instructions on how to correct the error. If the configuration is successful, the Done Messages box will appear, highlighting the product configurations that are successful. Click on Done once more to confirm the order. To make any changes, click on Return to Configuration or click on Add/Edit Services.
Step 4: Select the required Technical Services. To simplify, all Cisco Nexus 9300 Platform Switches have two attach points for Cisco Support Services SKUs:
1. A hardware SKU and
2. A software SKU for Software Support. This is only applicable for the perpetual software licensing PID. The Cisco DCN Subscription Licenses include software maintenance and technical support services.
If you are selecting perpetual software, please be sure to add the SWSS or Solution Support with SWSS SKU. Once you have finished selecting the software, hardware, and license configurations, click on Edit Service/Subscription.
For Cisco NX-OS Configurations:
Hardware service: Click on “Add a service SKU” or “change service” and select the desired support; click on Apply, and the appropriate Cisco Smart Net Total Care (SNTC) or Solution Support with Smart Net SKU is added, then click on Done.
Software service: Click on “Add a service SKU” and select the appropriate SWSS or Solution Support with SWSS SKU, then click on Done.
Perpetual NX-OS license SWSS
Perpetual DCN Tier license Software Support
For Cisco ACI Configurations:
DCN licenses only use Solution Support service levels. There is a requirement for service program alignment, which will trigger Solution Support program at the hardware layer. The configuration allows for any service level within that program that is desired.
Hardware and Software services:
Choose “All Service Programs” and Select Solution Support with SNTC (SSSNT). Select the desired service level and note that this comes with a software support level assigned with it for ease of configuration. Click on Apply to finish.
Your order is now complete.
Step-by-step ordering procedure for the bundle N9K-C9336C-FX2-B2
Step 1: Open the Cisco Commerce tool to create an estimate. Enter N9K-C9336C-FX2-B2 in the search box. After the field is populated, click on Add.
Step 2: Click on Select Options to choose the desired configuration. As called out in the previous sections, the default option consists of a preconfigured option with MODE-NXOS as shown below. The bundle consists of 2x N9KC9336C-FX2 switches along with 4x QSFP-40/100G-SRBD each.
Default option
To customize, select each of the hardware PIDs N9K-C9336- FX2-B(1) and N9K-C9336-FX2-B(2) to configure. Configure the accessory selection, the power and fans selection, and the optics and transceiver modules selection, similar to the process called out earlier for each switch. There is an additional option to select a Default 100G Optics under this bundle at no charge, as shown below.
Default 100G optics options
After the selections are made for each switch, you can copy the similar configuration for the second switch using the Copy option, as shown below.
Step 3: Verify the configuration and click on Done. After all options are selected, for either the Default or Customizable Option, the product configuration should be verified. To do this, click on View Full Summary at the top, to the right of the Configuration Summary header. After verification, return to the original configuration page and click on Done. If there are any errors in the configuration, an alert will pop up with instructions on how to correct the error. If the configuration is successful, the Done Messages box will appear, highlighting the product configurations that are successful. Click on Done once more to confirm the order. To make any changes, click on Return to Configuration or click on Add/Edit Services. Step 4: Select the required Technical Services. To simplify, all Cisco Nexus 9300 Platform Switches have two attach points for Cisco Support Services SKUs:
1. A hardware SKU and
2. A software SKU for Software Support. This is only applicable for the perpetual software licensing PID. The Cisco DCN Subscription Licenses include software maintenance and technical support services.
If you are selecting perpetual Software, please be sure to add the SWSS or Solution Support with SWSS SKU. Once you have finished selecting software, hardware, and license configurations, click on Edit Service/Subscription.
For Cisco NX-OS Configurations:
Hardware service: Click on “Add a service SKU” or “change service” and select the desired support; click on Apply, and the appropriate Cisco Smart Net Total Care (SNTC) or Solution Support with Smart Net SKU is added, then click on Done.
Repeat this step to add hardware support to the other bundled switch chassis.
Software service: Click on “Add a service SKU” or “change service” and select the desired support; click on Apply, and the appropriate SWSS or Solution Support with SWSS SKU is added, then click on Done.
Repeat this step to add software support to the other bundled switch chassis.
Perpetual Cisco NX-OS Tier license SWSS
For Cisco ACI Configurations:
DCN licenses only use Solution Support service levels. There is a requirement for service program alignment and Solution Support program at the hardware layer. The configuration allows for any service level within that program that is desired.
Hardware and Software services:
Choose “All Service Programs” and Select Solution Support with SNTC. Select the desired service level and note that this comes with a software support level assigned with it for ease of configuration. Click on Apply to finish.
Perpetual DCN Tier license SWSS
Your order is now complete.
Step-by-step ordering procedure for bundle ACI-C9364C-APIC-B1
Step 1: Open the Cisco Commerce tool to create an estimate. Enter ACI-C9364C-APIC-B1 in the search box. After the field is populated, click on Add.
Note: ACI-C9364C-APIC-B1 is a bundle PID that has two N9K-C9364C spine switches and an APIC appliance (customizable) together.
Step 2: Click on Select Options to choose the desired configuration. Each component option has to be configured in the bundle.
Configure the 2x N9K-C9364C within the bundle as described in the process earlier. Please note that only the Cisco ACI software image and license options are available to configure in this bundle.
N9K-C9364C customizable options
Once you select all the options for the 9364C spine, you can click on Done, and the system will take you to the main Cisco ACI bundle order screen, where you will have to choose from APIC cluster options. Click on the button to add the appropriate APIC cluster (choose either a Cluster-M3 or Cluster-L3, depending on the scale required).
Cisco ACI bundle configuration warning
APIC cluster options
Click on Edit Options to select the APIC cluster options. You can choose power supply, power cable, APIC software image, and PCIE options.
APIC server configuration options
Click on each APIC-SERVER-L3 to select the appropriate the power supply, power cable, APIC software image, and PCIE options.
APIC server warning
APIC server power options
APIC software options
APIC PCIE options
Step 3: Verify the configuration and click on Done. After all options are selected for the Customizable Option, the product configuration should be verified. To do this, click on View Full Summary at the top, to the right of the Configuration Summary header. After verification, return to the original configuration page and click on Done. If there are any errors in the configuration, an alert will pop up with instructions on how to correct the error. If the configuration is successful, the Done Messages box will appear, highlighting the product configurations that are successful. Click on Done once more to confirm the order. To make any changes, click on Return to Configuration or click on Add/Edit Services.
Step 4: Select the required Technical Services. For the N9K-C9364C, follow the same process as described earlier in the document. For the APIC, click on Edit Services/Subscriptions.
Cisco ACI solution support
Click on Add a Service SKU, select the appropriate Solution Support (“SOLN SUPP”) SKU and click done.
Your order is now completed.
For the latest information on the product, please visit the links below.
Cisco Nexus 9000 Series Switches: here
Cisco Nexus 9000 Platform Switches Data Sheet: here
Cisco Application Centric Infrastructure: here
Introduction to Cisco Nexus 9000 Licensing: here
Cisco Nexus 9000 software Release notes: here
Cisco Nexus 9000 Configuration guide: here
Cisco Solution Support Resource Page: here
Cisco Smart Net Total Care Resource Page: here
To view buying options and speak with a Cisco sales representative, visit https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/buy