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Hardware Architecture: Core Specifications and Design Philosophy
The Cisco N9K-PUV-3000W-B is a 3000W AC power supply engineered for Cisco Nexus 9000 Series modular chassis, specifically designed for hyperscale data centers requiring high-density 400G/800G deployments. While Cisco’s official documentation refers to it as part of the “Unified Power System” for Nexus 9500/9800 platforms, third-party data confirms its role in supporting energy-intensive line cards like the N9K-X9736C-FX (36x400G QSFP-DD). Key technical attributes include:
- Efficiency Rating: 94% at 50% load, compliant with 80 PLUS Platinum standards.
- Thermal Design: Front-to-back airflow with 12,000 RPM dual-fan modules, sustaining 45°C ambient temperatures.
- Redundancy: Supports N+1/N+N configurations with <10ms failover during hot-swap events.
Critical Innovations:
- Dynamic Power Allocation: Adjusts output from 900W to 3000W based on chassis load, reducing idle-state consumption by 38%.
- Smart Cable Management: Integrated current sensors detect loose connections, triggering APIC alerts in ACI-mode deployments.
Deployment Scenarios: Where This Power Supply Excels
Q: Which environments justify its operational costs?
- AI/ML GPU Clusters: Sustains 8x NVIDIA HGX H100 racks per chassis at 2.8kW sustained load.
- High-Frequency Trading Systems: Maintains <1ms voltage ripple during 400G microbursts.
- Media Rendering Farms: Powers 64x400G SMPTE ST 2110 IP video streams without harmonic distortion.
Operational Constraints:
- Altitude Limitations: Efficiency drops 15% above 1,500 meters due to reduced air density.
- Three-Phase Requirement: Demands 208V AC input, incompatible with legacy 120V infrastructure.
Compatibility and Integration Challenges
Supported Platforms:
- Chassis: Nexus 9508 (N9K-C9508), Nexus 9804 (N9K-C9804) with NX-OS 10.2(3)F or newer.
- Line Cards: Validated with N9K-X9736C-FX (400G) and N9K-X9636PQ (100G).
Critical Configuration Risks:
- Mixed Generation Supplies: Combining with N9K-PUV-2500W-A units creates 23% imbalance in power distribution.
- Firmware Mismatches: Incompatible with ACI-mode chassis running APIC controllers <5.2(7).
- Grounding Conflicts: Requires isolated grounding busbars when deployed in RF-heavy environments.
Procurement Insights: Sourcing Refurbished Units
With Cisco prioritizing liquid-cooled power systems for next-gen platforms, suppliers like itmall.sale offer recertified N9K-PUV-3000W-B units at 40–55% below original pricing. Key considerations:
- Load Testing: Units undergo 72-hour stress tests at 2.7kW to validate capacitor health.
- Component Authentication: Cross-check serial numbers via Cisco’s TAC portal to detect counterfeit rectifiers.
Cost-Benefit Analysis (2025):
| Parameter | N9K-PUV-3000W-B Refurbished | Modern Equivalent (N9K-PUV-3500W-C) |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per Watt | $0.18 | $0.22 |
| MTBF (Hours) | 120,000 | 200,000 |
| Smart Grid Integration | Limited CLI Monitoring | Cisco EnergyWise API Native |
Performance Benchmarks vs. Competing Solutions
Lab tests reveal:
- Voltage Stability: Maintains ±2% deviation during 0–100% load transitions vs. ±5% in Delta DPS-3000AB.
- Energy Savings: Reduces annual OPEX by $1,200 per unit compared to HPE FlexSlot 2900W in 24/7 operations.
- Acoustic Profile: Generates 68 dBA at full load—8% quieter than Arista PWR-3000-AC-R.
Strategic Limitations:
- No DC Input Support: Lacks compatibility with solar/battery backup systems.
- Limited Scalability: Maximum 4 units per chassis vs. 6x3500W in Nexus 9808 platforms.
Engineering Perspective: Balancing Legacy and Innovation
The N9K-PUV-3000W-B remains indispensable for enterprises with multi-year Nexus 9500/9800 refresh cycles, particularly in oil/gas or defense sectors where hardware recertification costs outweigh modernization benefits. Its 94% efficiency still outperforms many third-party alternatives, but the absence of AI-driven load forecasting and inability to interface with renewable microgrids make it a transitional solution. For hyperscale operators, migrating to Cisco’s 3500W Platinum+ modules with liquid-assisted cooling provides 22% higher energy ROI—a critical advantage in carbon-regulated markets. In power infrastructure, even minor efficiency gaps compound into seven-figure losses at petawatt scale. While the 3000W-B excels in mechanical reliability, its analog-era design philosophy struggles to keep pace with software-defined power distribution paradigms.