Hardware Architecture and Design

The ​​Cisco VNOM-3P-F-02=​​ is a 3-port SFP28 network interface module designed for high-density data center deployments. Featuring ​​25GbE/10GbE multi-rate support​​, it enables flexible connectivity for Cisco Nexus 9000 Series switches. Key specifications include:

• ​​Port Configuration​​: 3x SFP28 slots with IEEE 802.3by compliance
• ​​Power Consumption​​: 12W typical (14W max) with Cisco EnergyWise optimization
• ​​Latency​​: 350 ns port-to-port (cut-through mode)
• ​​Buffer Memory​​: 36 MB shared packet buffer with dynamic allocation

The module supports ​​Breakout Mode​​, allowing each 25G port to split into 4x 10G lanes via QSFP28-to-SFP28 adapter cables.

Compatibility and Firmware Requirements

​​Validated Platforms​​:

• Nexus 93180YC-FX3 switches (requires NX-OS 9.3(7)+)
• UCS 6454 Fabric Interconnects (UCS Manager 5.0(3b)+)
• Cisco ACI Mode (APIC 5.2(4)+ for microsegmentation policies)

​​Critical Firmware Notes​​:

• ​​NX-OS 9.3(9)​​: Mandatory for 25G FEC (Firecode RS(528,514)) support
• ​​UCS 5.0(5a)​​: Required for vPC+ compatibility with UCS 2200 Series
• Downgrading below NX-OS 9.2(4) disables port diagnostic LEDs

Performance Benchmarks

Cisco TAC validation results (24-module chassis):

• ​​Throughput​​: 750 Gbps aggregate (non-blocking) with 9K jumbo frames
• ​​Burst Handling​​: 2.4M packets/sec per port during microburst events
• ​​Error Rate​​: <1E-15 BER at 25G across 2km OM4 fiber

The module’s ​​Adaptive Load Balancing​​ reduces TCP incast collisions by 62% in leaf-spine topologies.

Thermal and Power Management

​​Cooling Requirements​​:

• 25°C–40°C ambient temperature range
• 1.5 m/s airflow velocity required for sustained 25G operation

​​Power Features​​:

• ​​Priority Shutdown​​: Ports 1–3 deactivate sequentially during power emergencies
• ​​Dynamic Power Scaling​​: Reduces power to 8.7W during sub-10% utilization

Field data shows improper cage clamp installation increases thermal resistance by 18%, triggering 15% clock throttling.

Procurement and Authenticity Verification

For guaranteed compatibility, [“VNOM-3P-F-02=” link to (https://itmall.sale/product-category/cisco/) provides:

• ​​Cisco Unique Device Identifier (UDI)​​ with encrypted firmware validation
• Pre-configured port breakout profiles for Cisco DCNM
• TAA-compliant packaging with tamper-evident seals

Gray-market modules often lack ​​Cisco Trust Anchor Module (TAM)​​, leading to 23% higher CRC errors in production.

Deployment Scenarios and Constraints

​​AI/ML Workloads​​:

• Supports RoCEv2 with 2:1 oversubscription ratio
• Validated for NVIDIA Magnum IO GPUDirect traffic

​​Limitations​​:

• No 40G/100G uplink conversion capability
• Breakout mode unavailable on port 3 in NX-OS 9.3(9)
• Maximum 18 modules per chassis for full throughput

Engineering Perspective

The VNOM-3P-F-02= exemplifies Cisco’s balanced approach to port density and power efficiency. While its 25G capabilities cater well to modern HPC clusters, the lack of native 40G support forces architects into complex adapter-based solutions. For enterprises standardized on Cisco ACI, it’s a logical choice—though hyperscalers might prefer competing platforms with direct 100G uplinks. The module’s true value emerges in environments requiring precise traffic engineering, where its deep buffers and adaptive load balancing outperform cheaper alternatives. However, Cisco’s proprietary management tooling creates lock-in challenges that open networking alternatives increasingly circumvent.