Cisco nexus 8gb*2/64gbssd/intel xeon e5-2403 n9k-sup-a

Cisco N9K-SUP-A Supervisor Module – Dual 8GB RAM, 64GB SSD, Intel Xeon E5-2403 for Nexus 9000 Series Switches

The Cisco N9K-SUP-A is a high-performance supervisor engine module designed for the Cisco Nexus 9000 Series modular switches, including the Nexus 9504, 9508, and 9516 chassis. Engineered for enterprise data centers and cloud-scale environments, this supervisor module delivers robust control-plane processing, system management, and high availability—ensuring seamless operation of mission-critical network infrastructures.

Equipped with an Intel Xeon E5-2403 quad-core processor, 2x 8GB DDR3 memory (16GB total), and a 64GB internal SSD, the N9K-SUP-A provides the computational power and storage needed to run advanced features such as Cisco NX-OS, Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI) mode (when supported), telemetry, automation, and real-time analytics.

Key Specifications & Features

• Model: N9K-SUP-A
• Compatible Chassis: Cisco Nexus 9504, 9508, 9516
• Processor: Intel Xeon E5-2403 (Quad-Core, 1.8 GHz)
• System Memory: 2 × 8GB DDR3 RAM (16GB total)
• Internal Storage: 64GB SSD (for OS image, logs, and telemetry data)
• Operating Modes: Supports both NX-OS standalone mode and ACI mode (depending on software version and licensing)
• Redundancy: Hot-swappable with 1+1 supervisor redundancy support
• Management: Integrated out-of-band (OOB) management Ethernet port
• High Availability: Stateful switchover (SSO) and In-Service Software Upgrade (ISSU) capable

Purpose-Built for Modern Data Center Control Planes

As the “brain” of the Nexus 9000 modular chassis, the N9K-SUP-A supervisor module handles all control-plane functions, including:

• Routing protocol processing (OSPF, BGP, EIGRP)
• Management plane operations (SSH, SNMP, REST APIs)
• Policy enforcement and telemetry collection
• System monitoring, logging, and diagnostics

The inclusion of a 64GB SSD enables faster boot times, local storage of system logs, crash dumps, and software images—reducing dependency on external TFTP or USB devices during maintenance or recovery. This is especially valuable in automated or zero-touch provisioning (ZTP) environments.

The 16GB of RAM ensures smooth operation of resource-intensive services such as NetFlow, SPAN, embedded analytics, and Python scripting in NX-OS, while the Intel Xeon processor provides the headroom needed for future software enhancements.

Dual-Mode Flexibility: NX-OS and ACI

One of the standout capabilities of the N9K-SUP-A is its support for dual operational modes:

1. NX-OS Standalone Mode: Ideal for traditional Layer 2/Layer 3 data center deployments with full CLI and feature set.
2. ACI Mode: When used with an Application Policy Infrastructure Controller (APIC), the same hardware can operate as part of a Cisco ACI fabric—enabling policy-driven automation, micro-segmentation, and multi-tenant architectures.

This flexibility allows organizations to future-proof their investment, migrating from classic networking to intent-based networking without replacing hardware.

Note: ACI mode requires compatible line cards and appropriate software licenses. Always verify compatibility with your current Nexus 9000 configuration.

High Availability & Operational Resilience

The N9K-SUP-A supports 1+1 supervisor redundancy, meaning two supervisor modules can be installed in a single chassis for failover protection. In the event of a hardware or software failure, Stateful Switchover (SSO) ensures minimal disruption—maintaining forwarding state and active sessions during the transition.

Additionally, In-Service Software Upgrades (ISSU) allow for non-disruptive NX-OS updates, critical for environments requiring 99.999% uptime.

Why Use Genuine Cisco N9K-SUP-A Modules?

While third-party or refurbished supervisors may be available, only Cisco-original N9K-SUP-A modules guarantee:

• Full compatibility with Cisco NX-OS and ACI software releases
• Access to Cisco TAC support and Smart Net Total Care
• Secure boot and hardware root-of-trust features
• Accurate telemetry and system health reporting

Using non-genuine modules can lead to instability, security vulnerabilities, or voided warranties—especially in regulated or high-compliance environments.

Ideal Use Cases

• Enterprise Data Centers: Core or aggregation layer switching with advanced services
• Private Cloud Infrastructures: Supporting virtualization, containers, and SDN
• Service Provider Edge: Where control-plane scalability and reliability are paramount
• ACI Fabric Deployments: As a spine or leaf supervisor in policy-driven networks

Technical Summary

Conclusion

The Cisco N9K-SUP-A supervisor module is a foundational component for scalable, resilient, and intelligent data center networks. With its Intel Xeon processor, 16GB RAM, 64GB SSD, and support for both NX-OS and ACI, it delivers the performance and flexibility needed to manage today’s dynamic workloads. Whether you’re building a new spine-leaf fabric or upgrading an existing Nexus 9000 deployment, the N9K-SUP-A ensures your control plane is as powerful and reliable as your data plane.