What Is the CB-M12-4LC-SMF5M= and How Does It
Core Functionality of the CB-M12-4LC-SMF5M= The C...
Core Architecture & Technical Specifications
The Cisco Nexus N3K-C34180YC is a 1RU Layer 2/3 switch optimized for high-density 25G/100G spine-leaf deployments, featuring 48×10/25G SFP28 ports and 6×40/100G QSFP28 uplinks. Key innovations include:
- Switching Capacity: 6.4 Tbps with 3.3 billion packets per second (bpps) throughput, leveraging Barefoot Tofino ASIC for protocol flexibility.
- Port Flexibility: Supports breakout configurations (e.g., 48x25G + 24x100G) via QSFP28-100G-SR4 optics, enabling seamless migration from 10G to 100G environments.
- Power Efficiency: Dual 650W hot-swappable PSUs with PHY-less design, reducing energy consumption by 15% compared to traditional switches.
Strategic Advantages Over Competing Models
Programmable Data Plane
Unlike fixed-function switches like N3K-C3132Q, the N3K-C34180YC uses Tofino ASIC to enable P4-based custom protocol handling – critical for SDN/NFV deployments and AI/ML traffic optimization.
High-Density 25G Access
- Buffer Management: 9MB shared packet buffer minimizes packet loss during traffic spikes in financial trading platforms.
- Telemetry Capabilities: Native support for INT (In-band Network Telemetry) provides microsecond-level latency monitoring for RoCEv2 workloads.
| Feature | N3K-C34180YC | N3K-C3132Q (40G Model) | N3K-C3232C (100G Model) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Use Case | 25G access + 100G spine | Legacy 40G environments | 100G backbone |
| Port Density (25G) | 48 | 0 | 0 |
| Programmability | P4/Tofino ASIC | Fixed-function | Fixed-function |
| Latency | <500ns | <500ns | <500ns |
Deployment Scenarios & Operational Insights
AI/ML Cluster Interconnects
The switch’s RoCEv2 support and ECMP routing enable lossless GPU communication. Cisco’s validated design recommends QSFP-100G-AOC10M cables for <2μs end-to-end latency in NVIDIA DGX H100 deployments.
Firmware Management Challenges
Non-XL variants require NX-OS image compression for upgrades beyond version 9.x due to 2GB bootflash limitations. The N3K-C34180YC-XL model (16GB storage) avoids this constraint.
Cost-Effective Procurement via ITmall.sale
ITmall.sale offers certified refurbished N3K-C34180YC units at **23,300∗∗(4023,300** (40% below Cisco’s 23,300∗∗(4038,880 MSRP), including:
- Lifetime Warranty: Covers fan modules (N3K-C3418-FAN) and power supplies
- Pre-Validated Configurations: Ships with NX-OS 7.0(3)I7(2) to avoid BIOS checksum errors
- Third-Party Optics Support: Tested with QSFP-25G-SR and QSFP-100G-CWDM4 transceivers
FAQs: Critical Implementation Insights
Q: Can 25G ports operate in 10G mode without breakout cables?
A: Yes – via auto-negotiation when connected to 10G SFP+ devices like Intel X710 NICs.
Q: Does Tofino ASIC support legacy protocols like OSPF?
A: Yes – through P4 programmability, it can emulate traditional routing stacks while adding custom header processing.
Q: What’s the end-of-support timeline?
A: Cisco plans retirement by 2027, but refurbished units remain viable through 2030 with ITmall.sale’s firmware patches.
For enterprises balancing 25G server connectivity and 100G spine readiness, the N3K-C34180YC delivers unmatched adaptability. Explore certified inventory at ITmall.sale’s Cisco Nexus portfolio to modernize data centers without overhauling infrastructure.