Cisco Nexus 6000 N6K-C6004-96Q Cisco Nexus datacenter switch / module

Brand: Cisco | Category: Network Switches

SKU: CSC-N6K-C6004-96Q | Part #: N6K-C6004-96Q | MPN: N6K-C6004-96Q

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The N6K-C6004-96Q delivers 23.04 Tbps of switching fabric capacity with a forwarding rate of 17.14 Mpps, which means this Cisco Nexus 6000 platform sustains line-rate performance across all 96 ports simultaneously—a requirement that separates purpose-built data centre infrastructure from oversubscribed alternatives. At full utilisation, every 40GbE QSFP+ port maintains wire-speed forwarding without packet loss, a characteristic that matters deeply to network engineers provisioning either storage networks or compute fabrics where congestion propagates upstream as a cascade of failures.

Built as a 7U fixed chassis, the N6K-C6004-96Q houses 96 native 40 Gigabit Ethernet ports with optional 4x10GbE breakout capability per port—effectively delivering 384 x 10GbE density when deployed with breakout transceivers. This flexibility allows the same physical switch to serve hybrid workloads: spine-and-leaf topologies with 40GbE uplinks to other Nexus platforms, while simultaneously hosting 10GbE server connections through the same linecard without additional chassis investment. Cisco engineered the port architecture to avoid the performance tax that plagues some multi-speed designs; the fabric does not arbitrate between port speeds—it simply forwards at the advertised rate regardless of the transceiver population.

Network architects and infrastructure teams at regional data centres typically evaluate the N6K-C6004-96Q when designing either a top-of-rack aggregation layer or when consolidating smaller access switches into a single high-density platform. The two expansion module slots preserve future headroom without requiring a forklift upgrade; additional I/O modules can be installed without taking the switch offline. The underlying Cisco NX-OS operating system supports vPC (Virtual Port Channel) for active-active redundancy across paired switches, eliminating the spanning-tree blocking that constrains single-switch designs. Layer 3 routing runs native BGP, OSPF, and EIGRP without licensing restrictions, and the platform supports both VXLAN overlay bridging and Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) via N-Port Virtualizer mode—allowing consolidation of separate storage and IP networks onto a single switched fabric.

For storage-intensive deployments, the N6K-C6004-96Q includes Data Centre Bridging (DCB) protocols: Priority Flow Control (PFC) prevents frame loss in congested conditions, while Enhanced Transmission Selection (ETS) allocates bandwidth across application classes without head-of-line blocking. These mechanisms proved essential in iSCSI and NVMe-over-Fabrics environments where a single dropped frame ripples through recovery logic. The switch integrates with automation frameworks including Ansible, Puppet, and Chef; operators can also invoke NX-API REST endpoints or write Python scripts directly on the device to automate provisioning workflows. Management runs via standard SSH CLI, SNMP, or NETCONF, and built-in SPAN/RSPAN port mirroring simplifies packet capture for troubleshooting production fabrics.

Power redundancy comes standard—the N6K-C6004-96Q ships with hot-swappable PSU and fan modules available in either AC or DC variants, ensuring the switch topology itself does not become a single point of failure. Hot-swap capability means field replacement without powering down, a consideration that drives operational cost in environments where every minute of unavailability affects SLA compliance. The Nexus 6000 series operates within standard IEEE 802.3 and 802.1 compliance boundaries, integrating seamlessly into existing Layer 2 and Layer 3 infrastructure that may already run other Cisco or vendor-neutral equipment.

Interface & Connectivity Specifications

• 96 x 40GbE QSFP+ ports with optional 4x10GbE breakout per port for hybrid topologies
• Up to 384 x 10GbE maximum port density when all breakout cables are deployed
• Two expansion module slots for future I/O capacity without chassis replacement
• FCoE support via N-Port Virtualizer (NPV) mode for converged storage and IP fabrics
• VXLAN bridging for overlay network isolation and multi-tenant data centre designs
• vPC (Virtual Port Channel) for active-active multi-switch architectures without spanning-tree blocking
• Redundant hot-swappable power supplies and fan modules in AC or DC configurations
• CLI management via SSH/Telnet, SNMPv3, NETCONF, NX-API REST, and Python scripting support

Omnixon Global stocks the Cisco Nexus N6K-C6004-96Q for immediate regional deployment across the GCC, supporting data centre operators, AI infrastructure teams, and enterprise network architects across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and neighbouring markets. We maintain certified inventory and technical support for deployment verification, configuration guidance, and spare module logistics. For RFQ or technical consultation on your data centre fabric requirements, contact our regional sales team.