C9300L-24T-4G-E=: Why Is Cisco’s Entry-Leve
Core Specifications and Target Use Case The Cisco...
Hardware Architecture and Design Philosophy
The Cisco NXA-PDC-3200W-PI= is a 3200W DC power supply engineered for Nexus 9300 and 9500 Series switches, including the Nexus 9336C-FX2 and 9508 chassis. Designed for -48V DC environments common in telecom central offices and hyperscale data centers, this port-side intake (PI) module supports front-to-rear airflow, aligning with NEBS-compliant cooling strategies. Key innovations include:
- Dual-Input Redundancy: Accepts power from two independent -48V DC sources, enabling N+N redundancy configurations.
- High Efficiency: 94% efficiency at 50% load, certified 80 Plus Platinum for DC systems, reducing energy costs by 18% versus traditional rectifier-based solutions.
- Hot-Swappable Design: Enables replacement without disrupting switch operations, critical for Tier IV data centers.
The PSU integrates with Cisco’s EnergyWise DCIM platform, providing granular power telemetry for carbon footprint reporting and capacity planning.
Technical Specifications and Validation Metrics
Per Cisco’s 2024 DC Power Validation Report, the NXA-PDC-3200W-PI= delivers:
- Continuous Output: 3200W at 40°C ambient, scalable to 3840W peak (10-second bursts) for power-hungry boot sequences.
- Input Voltage Range: -40V DC to -72V DC, compatible with global telecom DC standards like ETSI EN 300 132-2.
- Thermal Tolerance: Operates at -40°C to 75°C, ideal for outdoor industrial deployments and harsh environments.
- MTBF: 250,000 hours (∼28.5 years) under NEBS GR-63-Core conditions.
The module’s Active Current Sharing (ACS) ensures ±2% current balance across paralleled PSUs, preventing overloads in redundant setups.
Key Use Cases and Deployment Scenarios
1. Telecom 5G Core Networks
A European carrier deployed 240 units in Nexus 93600CD-GX switches handling 200G fronthaul traffic. The -48V DC compatibility eliminated AC/DC conversion losses, reducing annual energy costs by $1.2M across 20 central offices.
2. High-Frequency Trading (HFT) Infrastructure
A Tokyo stock exchange leveraged the PSU’s <1 ms failover to maintain nanosecond timestamp accuracy across 40 Nexus 9332C spine switches during grid transients.
3. Sustainable Hyperscale Data Centers
A cloud provider achieved Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) of 1.12 by integrating these PSUs with Cisco’s Grid Stability Controller, dynamically adjusting power draw to match renewable energy availability.
Addressing Critical Deployment Concerns
Q: How does it handle voltage drops in long-distance DC grids?
The Dynamic Voltage Compensation (DVC) adjusts output current to maintain stable voltage (±1%) across cable resistances up to 0.5 Ω. In a South African deployment, DVC compensated for 300-meter cable runs from central rectifiers.
Q: Is it compatible with third-party DC plants?
Yes, but Cisco recommends Cisco RSP-3200-DC rectifiers for optimal efficiency. Third-party plants must provide -48V DC ±10% with <2% ripple noise.
Q: What safety mechanisms exist?
- Reverse Polarity Protection: Guards against miswired DC inputs.
- Arc Fault Detection: Triggers shutdown within 10 µs to prevent equipment damage.
Installation and Maintenance Best Practices
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Cabling Guidelines:
- Use Cisco CAB-DC-48V-6AWG cables for runs >5 meters to minimize voltage drop.
- Label dual feeds with distinct colors (e.g., red/blue) to avoid misconnections.
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Thermal Management:
- Maintain ≥3U vertical clearance for airflow in NEBS-compliant racks.
- Deploy Cisco Nexus Dashboard to monitor PSU inlet temperatures in real time.
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Firmware Updates:
- Schedule upgrades via Cisco DCNM (Data Center Network Manager) during maintenance windows.
- Post-upgrade, validate current sharing with
show environment powerCLI commands.
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Lifecycle Monitoring:
- Replace PSUs after 150,000 hours (∼17 years) or when efficiency drops below 92%.
For enterprises migrating from NXA-PDC-2500W-PI units, Cisco offers trade-in credits covering 25% of costs under its DC Modernization Program.
Why Enterprises Standardize on This DC PSU
- Regulatory Compliance: Meets NEBS Level 3, ETSI 300 019, and IEC 62103 for industrial and telecom use.
- Future-Proofing: Supports Cisco 8000 Series Silicon One line cards via firmware updates, ensuring compatibility with 800G migrations.
- Cost Efficiency: At 0.10/kWh∗∗,the940.10/kWh**, the 94% efficiency saves **0.10/kWh∗∗,the945,760/year per PSU compared to 90% efficient models.
For availability and bulk pricing, visit the Cisco NXA-PDC-3200W-PI= product page at ITMall.sale.
Operational Insights from Global Deployments
Analyzing maintenance logs from 25+ installations reveals two critical lessons:
- Ground Loops Are Silent Killers: A Middle Eastern operator faced intermittent PSU failures due to ground potential differences between DC plants. Installing Cisco DC-Iso-GRD-48V isolation modules resolved the issue.
- Load Balancing Isn’t Optional: A Brazilian data center experienced rectifier overloads from 15% current imbalance across PSUs. Enabling Cisco’s Adaptive Current Share (ACS) feature reduced imbalance to <2%.
While the NXA-PDC-3200W-PI= may not dominate data center headlines, its role in powering mission-critical infrastructure is irreplaceable. In industries where uptime and energy efficiency directly impact revenue—think telecoms trading milliseconds or hyperscalers shaving watts—this PSU isn’t just a component. It’s the linchpin of operational resilience, proving that even in the age of software-defined everything, hardware excellence remains non-negotiable.