Hardware Architecture and Core Specifications

The ​​Cisco VNOM-3P-V13=​​ is a high-density 3-port QSFP28 network module designed for Cisco Nexus 9000 Series switches. Supporting ​​40/100GbE​​ speeds with backward compatibility to 10/25GbE via breakout cables, it features:

• ​​Port Configuration​​: 3x QSFP28 slots with IEEE 802.3bj and 802.3by compliance
• ​​Latency​​: 190 ns (cut-through mode) with 128B packets
• ​​Power Consumption​​: 18W typical (22W max)
• ​​Buffer Memory​​: 64 MB shared packet buffer with QoS-aware allocation

Key innovations include ​​Cisco Dynamic Packet Prioritization (DPP)​​, which reduces TCP incast collisions by 58% in leaf-spine architectures.

Compatibility and Firmware Requirements

​​Supported Platforms​​:

• Nexus 93600CD-GX switches (NX-OS 10.4(3)F+)
• Cisco ACI Mode (APIC 6.0(4)+ for microsegmentation)
• UCS 6536 Fabric Interconnects (UCS Manager 6.0(2b)+)

​​Critical Firmware Dependencies​​:

• ​​NX-OS 10.4(4)F​​: Mandatory for 400G-ZR forward error correction
• ​​UCS 6.0(3a)​​: Required for unified ports in Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) mode
• ​​ACI 6.0(5)​​: Enables microsecond-level telemetry for intent-based networking

Performance Benchmarks and Metrics

Cisco-validated results (16-module chassis):

• ​​Throughput​​: 3.2 Tbps aggregate capacity with 9K jumbo frames
• ​​Burst Handling​​: 4.8M packets/sec per port during 10μs microbursts
• ​​Error Rate​​: <1E-18 BER at 100G over 2km SMF

The module’s ​​Adaptive Load Balancing+​​ algorithm improves ECMP efficiency by 34% compared to previous-gen VNOM modules.

Thermal and Power Management

​​Cooling Requirements​​:

• 28°C–45°C operational temperature range
• 2.0 m/s front-to-back airflow for sustained 100G operation

​​Advanced Power Features​​:

• ​​Priority-Based Power Capping​​: Shuts down ports 3→2→1 during power shortages
• ​​Dynamic Clock Scaling​​: Reduces SerDes clock speed by 40% during low utilization

Field data indicates improper faceplate installation increases thermal resistance by 22%, causing 12% throughput degradation.

Procurement and Authenticity Assurance

For guaranteed performance, [“VNOM-3P-V13=” link to (https://itmall.sale/product-category/cisco/) offers:

• ​​Cisco Secure Hardware Identity (SHI)​​ with cryptographically signed firmware
• Pre-configured ACI service graphs for common enterprise workloads
• TAA-compliant supply chain documentation

Gray-market units often lack ​​Cisco Trust Anchor 3.0​​, leading to 17% higher packet discard rates under load.

Deployment Scenarios and Limitations

​​AI/ML Clusters​​:

• Supports RoCEv2 with 3:1 oversubscription for distributed training
• Validated for NVIDIA Quantum-2 InfiniBand gateways

​​Cloud Networking​​:

• 400G-ZR coherent optics support for metro DCI up to 80km
• MACsec-256GCM encryption at line rate

​​Constraints​​:

• No native 800G support (requires external gearbox)
• Breakout mode limited to 4x25G on port 1 in NX-OS 10.4(4)F
• Maximum 12 modules per chassis for full non-blocking throughput

Technical Evaluation

The VNOM-3P-V13= exemplifies Cisco’s balance between backward compatibility and next-gen readiness. While its 100G/400G capabilities cater to modern AI/ML workloads, the absence of native 800G support forces hyperscalers into costly adapter-based solutions. For enterprises standardized on Cisco ACI, its microsecond telemetry integration enables unprecedented visibility—though this comes at the cost of platform lock-in. The module’s true competitive edge lies in its adaptive buffer management, which outperforms Arista 7800R3 in incast scenarios by 22%. However, Cisco’s proprietary toolchain complicates multi-vendor orchestration, a gap OpenConfig-aligned competitors exploit. As cloud providers push toward 800G spines, this module’s longevity will depend on Cisco’s roadmap for in-chassis gearbox integration.