Cisco 9336pq and N9K-X9736PQ 40Gb Spine Line Card, what are the differences? Read the users' experiences on choosing the Nexus 9000 Series...

1. Cisco 9336PQ vs. N9K-X9736PQ 40Gb Spine Line Card
Cisco 9336pq and N9K-X9736PQ 40Gb Spine Line Card, what are the
differences?
About ACI SPINE
Cisco nexus 9000 switch users always have some questions related to the
Cisco ACI. For example, is there a way to take advantage of ISSU/dual sup
failover in a 9500 in ACI mode? How to get from Nexus ACI mode to NX-OS
mode issue? What are the differences between Cisco 9336PQ and N9K-
X9736PQ 40Gb Spine Line Card?
Now, let’s come to the last question: the differences between these 2 pieces
of equipment: Cisco 9336PQ and N9K-X9736PQ 40Gb Spine Line Card.
We know that Cisco Nexus 9000 switches operate in Cisco NX-OS Software or
Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI) modes with ground-breaking Cloud
Scale ASIC technology. They are ideal for traditional or fully automated data
center deployments. And all Nexus 9K switches can operate in standalone
mode. Many also support ACI.
Can anyone tell me the differences between these 2 pieces of equipment?
Other than the fact that one is a standalone switch and the other is a 9500
line card, my understanding is that they have the same internals/ASICs? My
understanding is that the difference is really just one of scale, is that true?
Cisco 9336PQ vs. N9K-X9736PQ 40Gb Spine Line Card
Similarities:
1. Only supported in ACI
2. Only to be used as a spine
3. 36x40G nonblocking (no oversubscription) switching
4. Support the same 40G transceivers
5. Both use a mixture of third party and Cisco ASICs
Differences:
Form Factor
 9336 = fixed switch
 9736 = module for 9500 chassis
Scalability

2. 9336 = 36x40G nonblocking
*9504 = Up to 144x40G (128x40G nonblocking)
*9508 = Up to 288x40G (256x40G nonblocking)
* Assumes all 9500 line card slots are populated with 9736PQ modules. To
achieve full bandwidth, you will need 6 fabric modules
Reference Links:
Cisco Nexus 9500 Platform Switches for Cisco Application Centric
Infrastructure Data Sheet
Cisco Nexus 9504 Switch
Cisco Nexus 9508 Switch
Cisco Nexus 9336PQ ACI Spine Switch
Cisco 40-Gigabit Ethernet Transceiver Modules Compatibility Matrix
Both contain a third party and Cisco Alpine ASIC.
N9K-C9336PQ-Cisco Alpine ASIC and third party chips are both on the board.
N9K-X9736PQ-Cisco Alpine ASIC is on the line card. Third party chips are on
the fabric module.
Topic from https://supportforums.cisco.com/t5/application-centric/aci-spine-
difference-between-cisco-9336pq-and-n9k-x9736pq-40gb/td-p/2967647
Nexus 9336PQ-Nexus 9300 40GE Switches
Nexus 9336PQ
Usage ACI spine
Form factor 2 RU
Throughput (Tbps) 2.88
100 M/1 GE/10 GE copper ports NA
1/10 GE fiber ports NA

3. Nexus 9336PQ
40 GE ports 36
100 GE ports No
Latency (microseconds) Less than 2
Buffer (MB) 72
Power supply (watts); 2 per
switch
1200
Typical power (watts) 400
Minimum software version ACI-N9KDK9-11.1
Orderable Yes
SKU N9K-C9336PQ
Operating System ACI
Cisco Nexus 9336PQ-Specifications
Model Cisco Nexus 9336PQ
Physical
● 36-port 40G QSFP ports
● 1200 watt (W) AC power supplies or 930W DC power supplies
(up to 2)
● 80 Plus Platinum-rated power supplies that provide at least 90%
efficiency with 20% utilization
● Hot-swappable, dual fan trays with redundant fans
● Port-side intake or Port side exhaust airflow direction
● System memory: 16GB
● SSD: 64GB

4. Power and
Cooling
● Power: 1200W AC, 930W DC or 1200W HVAC/HVDC
● Input voltage: 100 to 240V* AC or -40V to -72V DC (min-max), -
48V to -60V DC (nominal)
*Supports input voltage of 100-120V for a max output of 800W;
200-240V for a max output of 1200W
● Frequency: 50 to 60 Hz (AC)
● Efficiency: 90% or greater (20 to 100% load)
● RoHS compliance: Yes
● Hot swappable: Yes
● Port-side intake or port-side exhale options
● Typical power: 400W (AC)
● Maximum power: 660W (AC)
Environmental
● Physical (H x W x D): 3.5 x 17.5 x 22.5 in.
(8.9 x 44.5 x 57.1 cm)
● Weight: 34.4 lb
● Operating temperature: 32 to 104°F (0 to 40°C)
● Nonoperating (storage) temperature: -40 to 158°F
(-40 to 70°C)
● Humidity: 5 to 95% (noncondensing)
● Altitude: 0 to 13,123 ft (0 to 4000m)
Acoustics
● Fan speed at 40%: 64.4 dBA
● Fan speed at 70%: 79.6 dBA
● Fan speed at 100%: 89.8 dBA
MTBF ● 242,000 hours
9736PQ-Nexus 9500 40GE Modules
9736PQ

5. 9736PQ
Usage ACI spine
Front-panel ports 36 x 40 GE
Standalone No
ACI leaf No
ACI spine Yes
Chassis support 4, 8, and 16
40 GE ports 36
Switching performance Nonblocking
Buffer (MB) 42
Typical power (watts) 197
Minimum software version ACI-N9KDK9-11.0
SKUs N9K-X9736PQ

6. Get the Best Prices on Cisco Nexus 9000 Switches

7. Get the Best Prices on N9K-C9372PX-E, N9K-C9372TX-E, N9K-C9372PX,
and N9K-C9372TX
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