Catalyst 9000 or Nexus 9000 - Router Switch Blog

The questions from users: “What is the difference between catalyst 9000 and Nexus 9000? Where can we use in the network and Features of Catalyst 9000 and Nexus 9000?”

They are 2 classes of switch. Catalyst 9k should be campus network class, while Nexus is belonging to data center class. Campus network is a term to describe the size of infrastructure. It’s doesn’t mean you cannot use campus network switch on data centre. Depending on your requirement (E.g. throughput, scalability, budget…etc) to choose your equipment.

Cat 9500 is for Enterprise switching and routing for Collapsed Core or Core.
Nexus 9K are more of Data center and Server Switching. (with ACI )

With Catalyst 9000 you access DNA software capabilities via pre-bundled Cisco ONE software suites or a-la-carte components. (Available across the entire enterprise networking portfolio, Cisco ONE software provides businesses with access to ongoing innovation, budget predictability, and a more agile way to consume technology.)

The hardware for Cisco ACI is based on the Cisco Nexus 9000 family of switches. The software and integration points for ACI include a few components, including Additional Data Center Pod, Data Center Policy Engine, and Non-Directly Attached Virtual and Physical Leaf Switches.

Catalyst 9000 or Nexus 9000? Read the following comparison of Nexus 9500 Switches and Catalyst 9500 Switches.

	Nexus 9500 Switches	Catalyst 9500 Switches
Key Features
Target deployments	Modular data center	Small to large enterprise core/distribution
Stacking	–	Yes
SD-Access	–	Yes
Advanced security and analytics	–	Yes
Capacity
Port quantity	48 x 1/10/25 G, 32/36 x 40/100 G	32 x 100 G QSFP28, 32 x 40 G QSFP, 48 x 25 G SFP28, 48 x 10 G/1 G SFP+/SFP
Port types	1/10/25/40/50/100 G	100 G, 40 G, 25 G, 10/1 G
Switching capacity	60 Tbps	6.4 Tbps
Stacking/chassis bandwidth	60 Tbps	12.8 Tbps
IPv4 routes	128k	212k
IPv6 routes	32k	212k
Flash memory installed size	16-24 GB	16 GB
Wireless bandwidth	–	No
Networking
Advanced switching	Layer 2/3	Layer 2/3
Jumbo frame support	9216 bytes	9216 bytes
MAC address table size	104-160k/card	80k entries
Native wireless support	–	No
Power
Integrated PoE	yes	No
PoE/PoE+/UPOE	N+1	No
PoE budget	3000W	No
Power redundancy	AC 200-277V, DC 240-380V	Optional
Power redundancy scheme	–	1+1
Power provided	–	650-1600W
Nominal voltage	–	AC 120/230V; DC -36/-72V
Environment
Humidity range operating	–	5-95% (noncondensing)
Maximum operating temperature	–	104°F
Minimum operating temperature	–	32°F
Maximum storage temperature	–	149°F
Minimum storage temperature	–	-4°F
Form factor
Configuration	Modular data center	Fixed, virtual stack
Height (rack units)	4-21 RU	1 RU
Slots free quantity	4-16	0
Slots total quantity	3-23	3
Depth	31.8-33.2 in	17.7 in
Height	12.3-36.7 in	1.8 in
Width	17.5 in	17.5-21.5 in
Weight	85-192 lb	21-26 lb
Security
Encrypted Traffic Analytics	AES128, SSH, TLS, IPSec	Yes
Trustworthy systems	yes	Yes
Encryption protocols	yes	AES-256/MACsec-256, SSH, TLS, IPsec
MPLS	yes	Yes
IGMP snooping	–	Yes
NetFlow	–	Yes
Programmability
NETCONF/YANG	yes	Yes
Python	yes	Yes
Containers	yes	Yes
NX-API	yes	–
Software
Operating system	NX-OS/ACI	Cisco IOS XE 16
License type	perpetual / Subscription	Perpetual plus subscription
Support
Warranty	Limited hardware warranty	E-LLW
Service	10-day advance parts replacement, technical support	NBD delivery of replacement hardware where available
Support full contract period	1 year, technical support	90 days of 8×5 Cisco TAC support
Comparison Page URL	https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/switches/switch-comparison.html?product_id=16\|24