Verified Scalability Limits
This document describes the Cisco NX-OS configuration limits for the Cisco Nexus 9000 Series switches.
Introduction
This document describes the Cisco NX-OS configuration limits for the Cisco Nexus 9000 Series switches.
The values provided in this guide should not be interpreted as theoretical system limits for Cisco Nexus 9000 Series hardware or Cisco NX-OS software. These limits refer to values that have been validated by Cisco. They can increase over time as more testing and validation is done.
Verified Scalability Limits
The tables in this section list the verified scalability limits for Cisco NX-OS Release 7.0(3)I7(5). These limits are validated with a unidimensional configuration. The values provided in these tables focus on the scalability of one particular feature at a time.
Each number is the absolute maximum currently supported by this Cisco NX-OS release for the corresponding feature. If the hardware is capable of a higher scale, future software releases might increase this verified maximum limit. Results might differ from the values listed here when trying to achieve maximum scalability with multiple features enabled.
Feature |
9500 Platform Verified Limit1 |
9300 Platform Verified Limit2 |
9200 Platform Verified Limit |
9300-EX Platform Verified Limit |
9300-FX Platform Verified Limit |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fabric Extenders3 and Fabric Extender server interfaces |
32 and 1536 |
16 and 768 |
Not applicable |
16 and 768 |
16 and 768 |
VLANs across all Fabric Extenders |
2000 |
2000 |
Not applicable |
562 |
562 |
VLANs per Fabric Extender server interface4 |
75 |
75 |
Not applicable |
75 |
75 |
Port channels |
426 |
256 |
Not applicable |
232 |
232 |
Unique Fabric Extenders per Cisco Nexus 9500 Series supported line card |
12 |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Feature 5 |
Verified Limit 6 |
---|---|
Number of FLOGI per port |
256 |
Number of FLOGI per switch |
1000 |
Number of port channels |
87 |
Maximum number of member ports in a port channel |
16 |
Number of VFCs |
544 |
Number of VSANs |
32 |
![]() Note |
For a list of platforms on which FCoE is supported, please refer to the Cisco Nexus 9000 Series NX-OS FCoE Configuration Guide, Release 7.x, at the following URL: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/datacenter/nexus9000/sw/7-x/FCoE/configuration/guide/b_Cisco_Nexus_9000_Series_NX-OS_FCoE_Configuration_Guide_7x.html |
Feature 8 |
Verified Limit 9 |
---|---|
Number of FLOGI per port |
256 |
Number of FLOGI per switch |
1000 |
Number of port channels |
810 |
Maximum number of member ports in a port channel |
16 |
Max number of FC ports supported |
48 |
Number of VSANs |
32 |
Platform |
Number of Device Groups |
Number of Services |
Nodes per Device Group |
Buckets per Service |
Include acl-ace entries |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Without include ACL (for IPv4) |
|||||
Cisco Nexus 93xxx-EX with TCAM allocated 2048 |
8 |
8 |
32 |
64 |
None |
Cisco Nexus 9372xX with TCAM allocated 2048 |
8 |
8 |
32 |
64 |
None |
Cisco Nexus 9500 with FM with TCAM allocated 2048 |
8 |
8 |
32 |
64 |
None |
Cisco Nexus 93xxx-FX with TCAM allocated 2304 |
8 |
32 |
32 |
128 |
None |
With include ACL (for IPv4) |
|||||
Cisco Nexus 93xxx-EX with TCAM allocated 2048 |
2 |
2 |
32 |
32 |
14 |
Cisco Nexus 9372xX with TCAM allocated 2048 |
2 |
2 |
32 |
32 |
14 |
Cisco Nexus 9500 with FM with TCAM allocated 2048 |
2 |
2 |
32 |
32 |
14 |
Cisco Nexus 93xxx-FX with TCAM allocated 2304 |
2 |
2 |
32 |
32 |
16 |
With VIP (for IPv4) |
|||||
Cisco Nexus 93xxx-EX with TCAM allocated 2048 |
4 |
4 |
32 |
64 |
None |
Cisco Nexus 9372xX with TCAM allocated 2048 |
4 |
4 |
32 |
64 |
None |
Cisco Nexus 9500 with FM with TCAM allocated 2048 |
4 |
4 |
32 |
64 |
None |
Cisco Nexus 93xxx-FX with TCAM allocated 2304 |
4 |
4 |
32 |
64 |
None |
Without include ACL (for IPv6) |
|||||
Cisco Nexus 93xxx-EX with TCAM allocated 2048 |
8 |
8 |
32 |
32 |
None |
Cisco NExus 93xxx-FX with TCAM allocated 2304 |
8 |
8 |
32 |
64 |
None |
With include ACL (for IPv6) |
|||||
93xxx-EX with TCAM allocated 2048 |
2 |
2 |
32 |
16 |
10 |
Cisco Nexus 93xxx-FX with TCAM allocated 2304 |
2 |
2 |
32 |
16 |
16 |
With VIP (For IPv6) |
|||||
Cisco Nexus 93xxx-EX with TCAM allocated 2048 |
2 |
2 |
32 |
64 |
None |
Cisco Nexus 93xxx-FX with TCAM allocated 2304 |
4 |
4 |
32 |
32 |
None |
Feature |
9500 Platform Verified Limit |
9300 Platform Verified Limit |
9200 Platform Verified Limit |
9300-EX Platform Verified Limit |
9300-FX Platform Verified Limit |
9300-FX2 Platform Verified Limit |
9500 with X9700-EX Verified Limit |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DHCP clients per switch |
10 (IPv4) + 10 (IPv6) |
10 (IPv4) + 10 (IPv6) |
10 (IPv4) + 10 (IPv6) |
10 (IPv4) + 10 (IPv6) |
10 (IPv4) + 10 (IPv6) |
10 (IPv4) + 10 (IPv6) |
10 (IPv4) + 10 (IPv6) |
IP DHCP relay addresses (helper addresses) per switch |
32 (IPv4) + 32 (IPv6) |
32 (IPv4) + 32 (IPv6) |
32 (IPv4) + 32 (IPv6) |
32 (IPv4) + 32 (IPv6) |
32 (IPv4) + 32 (IPv6) |
32 (IPv4) + 32 (IPv6) |
32 (IPv4) + 32 (IPv6) |
Generic routing encapsulation (GRE) tunnels |
8 |
8 |
8 |
8 |
8 |
8 |
8 |
Port channel links |
32 |
32 |
32 |
32 |
32 |
32 |
32 |
SVIs |
490 (with HSRP), 1500 (without HSRP) |
450 (with HSRP) |
490 |
450 (with HSRP) |
450 (with HSRP) |
450 (with HSRP) |
490 (with HSRP), 1500 (without HSRP) |
SVI Unnumbered |
Primary (50) Secondary (450) 1 primary SVI can have a maximum of 50 secondary SVIs |
Primary (50) Secondary (450) 1 primary SVI can have a maximum of 50 secondary SVIs |
Primary (50) Secondary (450) 1 primary SVI can have a maximum of 50 secondary SVIs |
Primary (50) Secondary (450) 1 primary SVI can have a maximum of 50 secondary SVIs |
Primary (50) Secondary (450) 1 primary SVI can have a maximum of 50 secondary SVIs |
Primary (50) Secondary (450) 1 primary SVI can have a maximum of 50 secondary SVIs |
Primary (50) Secondary (450) 1 primary SVI can have a maximum of 50 secondary SVIs |
vPCs |
300 |
48 |
48 |
48 |
48 |
48 |
300 |
Static network address translation (NAT) |
Not applicable |
1023 |
1023 |
1023 |
1023 |
1023 |
Not applicable |
Dynamic network address translation (NAT) |
Not applicable |
1023 |
1023 |
1023 |
1023 |
1023 |
Not applicable |
Static twice network address translation (NAT) |
Not applicable |
768 |
768 |
768 |
768 |
768 |
Not applicable |
Dynamic twice network address translation (NAT) |
Not applicable |
1023 |
1023 |
1023 |
1023 |
1023 |
Not applicable |
Feature |
9500 Platform Verified Limit |
9300 Platform Verified Limit |
9200 Platform Verified Limit |
9300-EX Platform Verified Limit |
9300-FX Platform Verified Limit |
9300-FX2 Platform Verified Limit |
9500 with X9700-EX Verified Limit |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Forwarding Equivalence Classes (FECs) |
128 |
128 |
MPLS Heavy Template: 512 Default: 128 |
MPLS Heavy Template: 2048 Default: 1024 |
MPLS Heavy Template: 2048 Default: 1024 |
Not supported |
MPLS Heavy Template: 2048 |
Equal-cost multipaths (ECMPs) |
16 |
16 |
16 |
32 |
32 |
Not supported |
32 |
Equal-cost multipaths Groups (ECMPs) |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
MPLS Heavy Template: 2048 Default: 1024 |
MPLS Heavy Template: 2048 Default: 1024 |
Not supported |
MPLS Heavy Template: 2048 Default: 1024 |
FECs * ECMPs |
1000 |
1000 |
1000 |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Not supported |
Not applicable |
Flex counters for static MPLS in egress direction |
4000 |
4000 |
4000 |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Not supported |
Not applicable |
Flex counters per adjacency |
2 |
2 |
2 |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Not supported |
Not applicable |
Adjacencies |
1024 |
1024 |
1024 |
48k |
48k |
Not supported |
48k |
Egress Peer Engineering |
64 |
64 |
64 |
64 |
64 |
Not supported |
64 |
Label-switched paths (LSPs) for label stack imposition11 |
128 (with 4-way ECMP and 3 label stack push) |
128 (with 4-way ECMP and 3 label stack push) |
256 (with 32-way ECMP and 5 label stack push) |
256 (with 32-way ECMP and 5 label stack push) |
256 (with 32-way ECMP and 5 label stack push) |
Not supported |
256 (with 32-way ECMP and 5 label stack push) |
Layer 3 EVPN |
128 |
128 |
Not applicable |
1000 (With MPLS Heavy Template) |
1000 (With MPLS Heavy Template) |
Not supported |
Not applicable |
Private VLANs (PVLANs) |
|||||||
Primary VLANs |
16 |
16 |
Not applicable |
16 |
16 |
16 |
16 |
Secondary VLANs |
20 |
20 |
Not applicable |
20 |
20 |
20 |
20 |
Ports in Community host mode |
40 |
40 |
Not applicable |
40 |
40 |
40 |
40 |
Ports in isolated host mode |
20 |
40 |
Not applicable |
40 |
40 |
40 |
40 |
Ports in isolated trunk host mode |
22 |
40 |
Not applicable |
40 |
40 |
40 |
40 |
Ports in promiscuous mode |
48 |
5 |
Not applicable |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Ports in promiscuous trunk mode |
80 |
5 |
Not applicable |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
PVLANs allowed on a PVLAN port |
16 |
16 |
Not applicable |
16 |
16 |
16 |
16 |
![]() Note |
For network scalability, Cisco recommends using a hierarchical routing design with multi-hop BGP for advertising the attached prefixes from a top-of-rack (ToR) or border leaf switch. |
Feature |
9500 Platform Verified Limit |
9300 Platform Verified Limit |
9200 Platform Verified Limit |
9300-EX Platform Verified Limit |
9300-FX Platform Verified Limit |
9300-FX2 Platform Verified Limit |
9500 with X9700-EX Verified Limit |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MAC addresses |
90,000 |
90,000 |
92,000 |
92,000 |
92,000 |
92,000 |
92,000 |
MST instances |
64 |
64 |
64 |
64 |
64 |
64 |
64 |
MST virtual ports |
85,000 |
48,000 |
48,000 |
48,000 |
48,000 |
48,000 |
85,000 |
RPVST virtual ports |
22,000 |
48,000 |
48,000 |
48,000 |
48,000 |
48,000 |
22,000 |
VLANs |
3967 (the remaining 127 VLANs are reserved) |
3967 (the remaining 127 VLANs are reserved) |
3967 (the remaining 127 VLANs are reserved) |
3967 (the remaining 127 VLANs are reserved) |
3967 (the remaining 127 VLANs are reserved) |
3967 (the remaining 127 VLANs are reserved) |
3967 (the remaining 127 VLANs are reserved) |
VLANs in RPVST mode |
500 |
500 |
3967 |
3967 |
3967 |
3967 |
396712 |
Total number of VLANs × ports with switchport isolated (3967 VLANs x 48 ports) |
190,000 |
190,000 |
190,000 |
190,000 |
190,000 |
190,000 |
190,000 |
Private VLANs (PVLANs) |
|||||||
Primary VLANs |
16 |
16 |
Not applicable |
16 |
16 |
16 |
16 |
Secondary VLANs |
20 |
20 |
Not applicable |
20 |
20 |
20 |
20 |
Ports in Community host mode |
40 |
40 |
Not applicable |
40 |
40 |
40 |
40 |
Ports in isolated host mode |
20 |
40 |
Not applicable |
40 |
40 |
40 |
40 |
Ports in isolated trunk host mode |
22 |
40 |
Not applicable |
40 |
40 |
40 |
40 |
Ports in promiscuous mode |
48 |
5 |
Not applicable |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Ports in promiscuous trunk mode |
80 |
5 |
Not applicable |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
PVLANs allowed on a PVLAN port |
16 |
16 |
Not applicable |
16 |
16 |
16 |
16 |
![]() Note |
The number of supported VLANs per vPC should be within the MST or RPVST virtual port count specified in this table, depending on the topology. |
![]() Note |
The number of supported STP VLAN port instances, for Fabric Extender host interface ports, should be less than 13,000. |
Feature |
9500 Platform Verified Limit |
9300 Platform Verified Limit |
9200 Platform Verified Limit |
9300-EX Platform Verified Limit |
9300-FX Platform Verified Limit |
9300-FX2 Platform Verified Limit |
9500 with X9700-EX Verified Limit |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IPv4 multicast routes |
32,000 (Layer 2 + Layer 3) |
8000 (Layer 2 + Layer 3) |
8000 (Layer 2 + Layer 3) Cisco Nexus 9200 switches do not support the system routing template-Ipm-heavy mode for IPv4 multicast routes. Make sure to reset the LPM maximum limit to 0. |
8000 (Layer 2 + Layer 3); 32,000 (layer 2 + Layer 3 with system routing template-multicast-heavy mode) |
8000 (Layer 2 + Layer 3); 32,000 (layer 2 + Layer 3 with system routing template-multicast-heavy mode) |
8000 (Layer 2 + Layer 3); 32,000 (layer 2 + Layer 3 with system routing template-multicast-heavy mode) |
8000 (Layer 2 + Layer 3); 32,000 (layer 2 + Layer 3 with system routing template-multicast-heavy mode); 8000 (with system routing template-Ipm-heavy mode) |
Outgoing interfaces (OIFs) |
40 (SVI + physical Layer 3) or 256 (physical Layer 3) |
40 (SVI + physical Layer 3) |
40 (SVI + physical Layer 3) |
40 (SVI + physical Layer 3) |
40 (SVI + physical Layer 3) |
40 (SVI + physical Layer 3) |
40 (SVI + physical Layer 3) or 256 (physical Layer 3) |
IGMP snooping groups |
32,000 |
8000 |
8000 |
8000 |
8000 |
8000 |
32,000 |
PIM neighbors |
500 |
250 |
250 |
250 |
250 |
250 |
500 |
![]() Note |
The IPv4 multicast routes and the IPv4/IPv6 host routes share the same hardware table. Limits are provided for both the default line card mode and the max host line card mode. |
![]() Note |
High availability (graceful restart and stateful switchover) is not supported when unicast or multicast aggressive timers are configured at any scale. |
Feature |
9500 Platform Verified Limit |
9300 Platform Verified Limit |
9200 Platform Verified Limit |
9300-EX Platform Verified Limit |
9300-FX Platform Verified Limit |
9300-FX2 Platform Verified Limit |
9500 with X9700-EX Verified Limit |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
OpenFlow |
|||||||
OpenFlow ports |
Not applicable |
96 |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
OpenFlow Layer 2 flows |
Not applicable |
32,000 |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
OpenFlow Layer 3 flows |
Not applicable |
3000 |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
OpenFlow IPv6 Layer 3 flows |
Not applicable |
1500 |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Feature |
9500 Platform Verified Limit |
9300 Platform Verified Limit |
9200 Platform Verified Limit |
9300-EX Platform Verified Limit |
9300-FX Platform Verified Limit |
9300-FX2 Platform Verified Limit |
9500 with X9700-EX Verified Limit |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DHCP snooping bindings |
2048 |
2048 |
2048 |
2048 |
2048 |
2048 |
2048 |
IPv4 ingress TCAM entries |
3072 (per network forwarding engine) |
3072 (per network forwarding engine) |
3582 (per slice of the forwarding engine) |
3582 (per slice of the forwarding engine) |
3582 (per slice of the forwarding engine) |
3582 |
3582 (per slice of the forwarding engine) |
IPv4 egress TCAM entries |
768 (per network forwarding engine) |
768 (per network forwarding engine) |
1792 (per slice of the forwarding engine) |
1792 (per slice of the forwarding engine) |
1792 (per slice of the forwarding engine) |
1792 (per slice of the forwarding engine) |
1792 (per slice of the forwarding engine) |
IPv6 ingress TCAM entries |
1536 (per network forwarding engine) |
1536 (per network forwarding engine) |
1792 (per slice of the forwarding engine) |
1792 (per slice of the forwarding engine) |
1792 (per slice of the forwarding engine) |
1792 (per slice of the forwarding engine) |
1792 (per slice of the forwarding engine) |
IPv6 egress TCAM entries |
256 (per network forwarding engine) |
256 (per network forwarding engine) |
896 (per slice of the forwarding engine) |
896 (per slice of the forwarding engine) |
896 (per slice of the forwarding engine) |
896 (per slice of the forwarding engine) |
896 (per slice of the forwarding engine) |
![]() Note |
The TCAM entries scalability limits also apply to policy-based TCAM entries (PBACLs). |
Feature |
9500 Platform Verified Limit |
9300 Platform Verified Limit |
9200 Platform Verified Limit |
9300-EX Platform Verified Limit |
9300-FX Platform Verified Limit |
9300-FX2 Platform Verified Limit |
9500 with X9700-EX Verified Limit |
||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MPLS Stripping |
|||||||||
Labels |
12,000 |
12,000 |
No limit |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
||
Ingress interfaces |
400 |
48 |
48 |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
||
Egress interfaces |
64 |
16 |
16 |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
||
PTP |
|||||||||
PTP ports 13 |
44 |
44 |
44 |
44 |
44 |
44 |
1305 |
||
sFlow |
|||||||||
sFlow ports |
256 |
64 |
64 |
64 |
64 |
64 |
256 |
||
SPAN and ERSPAN |
|||||||||
Configurable SPAN or ERSPAN sessions |
32 |
32 |
32 |
32 |
32 |
32 |
32 |
||
Active SPAN or ERSPAN sessions14 |
4 to 32, based on the number of line cards and the session configuration |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 to 32, based on the number of line cards and the session configuration |
||
Active localized SPAN or ERSPAN sessions per line card15 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
||
Source interfaces per SPAN or ERSPAN session (Rx and Tx, Rx, or Tx) |
48 |
48 |
48 |
48 |
48 |
48 |
48 |
||
Destination interfaces per SPAN session |
1 (physical/PO interface) |
1 (physical/PO interface) |
1 (physical/PO interface) |
1 (physical/PO interface) |
1 (physical/PO interface) |
1 (physical/PO interface) |
1 (physical/PO interface) |
||
Source VLANs per SPAN or ERSPAN session |
32 |
32 |
32 |
32 |
32 |
32 |
32 |
||
Tap Aggregation |
|||||||||
Redirect interfaces in the redirect port list |
12 |
12 |
12 |
12 |
12 |
12 |
Not applicable |
||
Redirect port lists (or fan outs) per system |
100 |
100 |
50 |
50 |
50 |
50 |
Not applicable |
||
NetFlow |
|||||||||
Flow monitors |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
2 exporters and 2 flow monitors per type (2 IPv4 flow monitors and 2 IPv6 flow monitors) |
2 exporters and 32 flow monitors per type (32 Layer 2 flow monitors, 32 IPv4 flow monitors, and 32 IPv6 flow monitors) |
2 exporters and 32 flow monitors per type (32 Layer 2 flow monitors, 32 IPv4 flow monitors, and 32 IPv6 flow monitors) |
Not applicable |
||
Number of Layer 3 interfaces (Layer 3 ports, port channels, and SVIs) to which IPv4 flow monitors can be applied |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
1016 (with members on just one ASIC slice) or 508 (with members on both ASIC slices)
|
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
||
Number of Layer 3 interfaces (Layer 3 ports, port channels, and SVIs) to which IPv6 flow monitors can be applied |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
252 (with members on just one ASIC slice) or 126 (with members on both ASIC slices)
|
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
![]() Note |
Beginning with Cisco NX-OS Release 7.0(3)I1(2), PTP is supported for all Cisco Nexus 9000 Series hardware except for the 100G 9408PC line card and the 100G M4PC generic expansion module (GEM). |
Feature |
9500 Platform Verified Limit |
9300 Platform Verified Limit |
9200 Platform Verified Limit |
9364C Platform Verified Limit |
9300-EX Platform Verified Limit |
9300-FX Platform Verified Limit |
9300-FX2 Platform Verified Limit |
9500 with X9700-EX /FX Verified Limit |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Unicast Routing |
||||||||
BFD sessions (echo mode) |
512 |
128 |
128 |
128 |
128 |
128 |
128 |
51216 |
BGP neighbors |
2000 |
512 |
512 (IPv4), 512 (IPv6), or 256 (IPv4 + IPv6) |
512 |
512 |
512 |
512 |
2000 |
EIGRP routes |
20,000 |
20,000 |
20,000 |
20,000 |
20,000 |
20,000 |
20,000 |
20,000 |
EIGRP neighbors |
512 |
256 |
256 |
256 |
256 |
256 |
256 |
512 |
HSRP groups |
490 |
490 |
490 |
490 |
490 |
490 |
490 |
490 |
IPv4 ARP |
48,000 |
48,000 |
32,000 |
32,000 |
48,000 |
48,000 (in default routing mode, Hash Table: Shared between IPv6 ND, IPv4 ARP) 32,000 (with system routing template -lpm- heavy mode, Hash Table: Shared between IPv6 ND, IPv4 ARP) |
64,000 (in default routing mode, Hash Table: Shared between IPv6 ND, IPv4 ARP) |
48,000 (default), 32,000 (LPM heavy) |
IPv4 host routes 17 |
Default System Routing Mode: 208,000 (hash table and there will be more collisions after 80%) ALPM Routing Mode: 128,000 with host Routes Programmed in the LPM Table |
Default System Routing Mode: 208,000 (hash table and there will be more collisions after 80%) ALPM Routing Mode: 128,000 with host Routes Programmed in the LPM Table |
96,000 (hash table and there will be more collisions after 80%) |
96,000 |
458,000 (default); 786,000 (with system routing template-lpm-heavy mode) |
471,000 (default); 786,000 (with system routing template-lpm-heavy mode) |
471,000 (default); 786,000 (with system routing template-lpm-heavy mode) |
589,000 (default); 786,000 (with system routing template-lpm-heavy mode) |
IPv6 host routes 18 |
Default System Routing Mode: 104,000 (hash table and there will be more collisions after 80%) ALPM Routing Mode: 16000 with host Routes Programmed in the LPM Table |
Default System Routing Mode: 104,000 (hash table and there will be more collisions after 80%) ALPM Routing Mode: 16000 with host Routes Programmed in the LPM Table |
48,000 (hash table and there will be more collisions after 80%) |
48,000 |
24,000 |
265,000 (default) 442,000 (with system routing template-lpm-heavy mode) |
265,000 (default) 442,000 (with system routing template-lpm-heavy mode) |
32,000 (FM-E), 235000 (FM-E2) |
IPv6 ND |
48,000 |
48,000 |
32,000 (default), 16,000 (lpm heavy) |
32,000 (default), 16,000 (lpm heavy) |
32,000 (default), 16,000 (lpm heavy) |
32,000 (in default routing mode, Hash Table: Shared between IPv6 ND, IPv4 ARP) |
32,000 (default), 16,000 (lpm heavy) |
32,000 |
IPv4 unicast routes (LPM)* |
128,000 (default system routing mode) 16,000 (max-host routing mode) 128,000 with no IPv6 routes (64-bit ALPM routing mode) |
12,000 (default system routing mode) 128,000 (ALPM routing mode) |
Default values: 6000 (IPv4), 1900 (IPv6), and 2000 (multicast) With hardware profile multicast max-limit lpm-entries 0 configured: 8000 (IPv4), 1900 (IPv6), and 0 (multicast) With hardware profile ipv6 lpm-entries maximum 0 configured: 14,000 (IPv4), 0 (IPv6), and 2000 (multicast) With hardware profile ipv6 lpm-entries maximum 4096 and hardware profile multicast max-limit lpm-entries 0 configured: 0 (IPv4), 4096 (IPv6), and 0 (multicast) When you allocate the entire table for IPv4 or IPv6 LPM unicast routes, the other address family cannot be used |
Default values: 8000 (IPv4), 1900 (IPv6), and 2000 (multicast) With hardware profile multicast max-limit lpm-entries 0 configured: 10000 (IPv4), 1900 (IPv6), and 0 (multicast) With hardware profile ipv6 lpm-entries maximum 0 configured: 14,000 (IPv4), 0 (IPv6), and 2000 (multicast) With hardware profile ipv6 lpm-entries maximum 4096 and hardware profile multicast max-limit lpm-entries 0 configured: 4000 (IPv4), 4096 (IPv6), and 0 (multicast) When you allocate the entire table for IPv4 or IPv6 LPM unicast routes, the other address family cannot be used |
458,000 (default) |
471,000 (default) |
471,000 (default) |
589,000 (default) |
IPv6 unicast routes (LPM)* |
20,000 (default system routing mode) 4000 (max-host routing mode) 80,000 with no IPv4 routes (64-bit ALPM routing mode) |
7000 (6000 routes < /64, 1000 routes > /64) (default system routing mode) 20,000 (ALPM routing mode) |
206,000 (/64 prefix length); 1900 (non /64 prefix length) |
265,000 (default) |
265,000 (default) |
176,000 (/64 prefix length); 3900 (non /64 prefix length) ( FM-E ) 235,000 ( any prefix len) ( FM-E2) |
||
IPv4 and IPv6 unicast routes (LPM) in 64-bit ALPM routing mode |
128,000 (IPv4) 80,000 (IPv6) |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
IPv4 host routes (LPM heavy mode) |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Cisco Nexus 9236C, 9272Q, and 92304QC switches: 262,000 Cisco Nexus 92160YC-X switches: 650,000 |
262,000 |
786,000 |
786,000 |
786,000 |
786,000 |
IPv6 host routes (LPM heavy mode) |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
16,000 |
131,000 |
24,000 (protocol learned host) |
442,000 (protocol learned host) |
442,000 (protocol learned host) |
32,000 (shared between IPv6 ND and protocol learned host) ( FM-E ) 235,000 ( FM-E2) |
IPv4 LPM routes (LPM heavy mode) |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Cisco Nexus 9236C, 9272Q, and 92304QC switches: 262,000 Cisco Nexus 92160YC-X switches: 650,000 |
262,000 |
786,000 |
786,000 |
786,000 |
786,000 |
IPv6 LPM routes (LPM heavy mode) |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Cisco Nexus 9236C, 9272Q, and 92304QC switches: 131,000 (/64 prefix length); 1900 (non /64 LPM scale) Cisco Nexus 92160YC-X switches: 294,000 (/64 prefix length); 1900 (non /64 LPM scale) |
131,000 |
353,000 (/64 prefix length); 1900 (non /64 prefix length) |
442,000 |
442,000 |
235,000 (/64 prefix length); 3900 (non /64 prefix length) ( FM-E) 235,000 ( any prefix len) ( FM-E2 |
IPv4 host routes (dual-host mode) |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
163,000 |
163,000 |
262,000 |
262,000 |
262,000 |
Not applicable |
IPv6 host routes (dual-host mode) |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
81,000 |
81,000 |
131,000 |
131,000 |
131,000 |
Not applicable |
IPv4 LPM routes (dual-host mode) |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
6000 |
8000 |
6000 |
7000 |
7000 |
Not applicable |
IPv6 LPM routes (dual-host mode) |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
1900 |
1900 |
1900 |
1900 |
1900 |
Not applicable |
IPv4 ARP (dual-host mode) |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
64,000 |
64,000 |
64,000 |
64,000 |
64,000 |
Not applicable |
IPv6 ND (dual-host mode) |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
64,000 |
64,000 |
64,000 |
64,000 |
64,000 |
Not applicable |
IPv4 host routes (internet peering mode) |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
1 Million (protocol learned host) |
1 Million (protocol learned host) |
1 Million (protocol learned host) |
1 Million (protocol learned host) |
IPv6 host routes (internet peering mode) |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
16,000 (Hash Table: Shared between IPv6 ND, IPv4 ARP, and protocol learned IPv6 host) |
5000,000 |
5000,000 |
16,000 (Hash Table: Shared between IPv6 ND, IPv4 ARP, and protocol learned IPv6 host) |
IPv4 LPM routes (internet peering mode) |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
1 Million |
1 Million |
1 Million |
1 Million |
IPv6 LPM routes (internet peering mode) |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
500,000 (Prefix length 0-83) 1900 (Prefix length /84-127) |
500,000 |
500,000 |
176,947 (Prefix 0-47) 500,000 (Prefix length 48-83) 1900 (Prefix length /84-127) |
IPv4 ARP (internet peering mode) |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
32,000 (Hash Table: Shared between IPv6 ND, IPv4 ARP, and protocol learned IPv6 host) |
32,000 (Hash Table: Shared between IPv6 ND, IPv4 ARP) |
32,000 (Hash Table: Shared between IPv6 ND, IPv4 ARP) |
32,000 (Hash Table: Shared between IPv6 ND, IPv4 ARP, and protocol learned IPv6 host) |
IPv6 ND (internet peering mode) |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
16,000 (Hash Table: Shared between IPv6 ND, IPv4 ARP, and protocol learned IPv6 host) |
16,000 (Hash Table: Shared between IPv6 ND, IPv4 ARP) |
16,000 (Hash Table: Shared between IPv6 ND, IPv4 ARP) |
16,000 (Hash Table: Shared between IPv6 ND, IPv4 ARP, and protocol learned IPv6 host) |
IS-ISv4 adjacencies (either L1, L2, or sum of L1 and L2 with default timers) |
255 |
255 |
255 |
255 |
255 |
255 |
255 |
255 |
IS-ISv4 BFD sessions (with default timers) |
255 |
255 |
Not applicable |
255 |
255 |
255 |
255 |
255 |
IS-ISv4 routes |
10,000 |
10,000 |
10,000 |
10,000 |
10,000 |
10,000 |
10,000 |
10,000 |
IS-ISv4 network type |
Point to point, broadcast |
Point to point, broadcast |
Point to point, broadcast |
Point to point, broadcast |
Point to point, broadcast |
Point to point, broadcast |
Point to point, broadcast |
Point to point, broadcast |
OSPFv2 neighbors |
1000 |
256 |
256 |
256 |
256 |
256 |
256 |
1000 |
OSPFv3 neighbors |
1000 |
256 |
256 |
256 |
256 |
256 |
256 |
1000 |
OSPF/OSPFv3 LSA/LSDB size |
100,000 |
100,000 |
100,000 |
100,000 |
100,000 |
100,000 |
100,000 |
100,000 |
OSPF/OSPFv3 areas |
100 |
100 |
100 |
100 |
100 |
100 |
100 |
100 |
Static routes |
4000 |
4000 |
4000 |
4000 |
4000 |
4000 |
4000 |
4000 |
VRFs |
1000 |
1000 |
1000 |
1000 |
1000 |
1000 |
1000 |
1000 |
VRRP groups per interface or I/O module |
250 |
250 |
250 |
250 |
250 |
250 |
250 |
250 |
Policy-based routing (PBR) |
||||||||
Configured sequences per policy |
256 |
256 |
128 |
Not applicable |
128 |
128 |
128 |
128 |
Next-hop addresses per policy |
32 |
32 |
32 |
Not applicable |
32 |
32 |
32 |
32 |
IPv4 ACEs (unidimensional) |
3072 (per network forwarding engine) |
3072 (per network forwarding engine) |
3582 (per network forwarding engine) |
Not applicable |
3582 (per network forwarding engine) |
3582 (per network forwarding engine) |
3582 (per network forwarding engine) |
3582 (per network forwarding engine) |
IPv6 ACEs (unidimensional) |
1536 (per network forwarding engine) |
1536 (per network forwarding engine) |
1792 (per network forwarding engine) |
Not applicable |
1792 (per network forwarding engine) |
1792 (per network forwarding engine) |
1792 (per network forwarding engine) |
Not applicable |
IPv4 and IPv6s ACEs |
2048 IPv4 + 256 IPv6 |
2048 IPv4 + 256 IPv6 |
1024 IPv4 + 128 IPv6 |
Not applicable |
1024 IPv4 + 128 IPv6 |
1024 IPv4 + 128 IPv6 |
1024 IPv4 + 128 IPv6 |
1024 IPv4, IPv6 not applicable |
Interfaces with PBR policy |
512 |
512 |
256 |
Not applicable |
256 |
256 |
256 |
256 |
VRRPv3 |
||||||||
VRRPv3 groups per interface |
255 |
255 |
255 |
Not applicable |
255 |
255 |
255 |
255 |
VRRPv3 groups with default timers (1 s) |
490 |
490 |
490 |
Not applicable |
490 |
490 |
490 |
490 |
VRRPv3 groups with relaxed timers (3 s) |
490 |
490 |
490 |
Not applicable |
490 |
490 |
490 |
490 |
Pathways with one VRRPv3 group with default timer (1 s) |
489 |
489 |
489 |
Not applicable |
489 |
489 |
489 |
489 |
VRRPv3 groups and pathways combined |
490 |
490 |
490 |
Not applicable |
490 |
490 |
490 |
490 |
*For the Cisco Nexus 9200 Platform switches, the default value for LPM unicast routes is 6000 (IPv4) or 1900 (IPv6). You can use the hardware profile multicast max-limit lpm-entries 0 command to increase the number of IPv4 LPM unicast routes to 8000. The hardware profile ipv6 lpm-entries maximum 0 command reserves the entire LPM table for IPv4. With this configuration, the IPv4 LPM scale is 14,000 (with 2000 reserved for multicast by default). This value can be increased to 16,000 with the hardware profile multicast max-limit lpm-entries 0 command. The hardware profile ipv6 lpm-entries maximum 4096 command reserves the entire LPM table for IPv6. With this configuration, the IPv6 LPM scale is 3900. When you allocate the entire table for IPv4 or IPv6 LPM unicast routes, the other address family cannot be used.
![]() Note |
|
Guidelines and Limitations for OSPF Verified Scalability Limits
-
To achieve the highest scale, we recommend that you use a single OSPF instance instead of multiple instances.
-
Each OSPFv2 and OSPFv3 scale value might vary when combined with other parameters.
-
The graceful restart timeout value might need to be increased in multi-dimensional scenarios.
Feature |
9500 Platform Verified Limit |
9300 Platform Verified Limit |
9200 Platform Verified Limit |
9300-EX Platform Verified Limit |
9300-FX Platform Verified Limit |
9300-FX2 Platform Verified Limit |
9500 with X97xx-EX/FX Verified Limit |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IGMP snooping over VXLAN |
|||||||
VXLAN VLANs |
Not applicable |
1000 |
1000 |
1000 |
1000 |
1000 |
1000 |
VTEP Peers19 |
Not applicable |
256 |
256 |
256 |
256 |
256 |
256 |
Underlay multicast groups |
Not applicable |
128 |
128 |
128 |
128 |
128 |
128 |
VXLAN Flood and Learn |
|||||||
Virtual network identifiers (VNIs) or VXLAN-mapped VLANs |
1000 |
2000 |
2000 |
2000 |
2000 |
2000 |
1000 |
Underlay multicast groups |
128 |
128 |
128 |
128 |
128 |
128 |
128 |
Overlay MAC addresses |
64,000 |
64,000 |
64,000 |
90,000 |
90,000 |
60,000 |
90,000 |
Remote VXLAN tunnel endpoints (VTEPs)20 |
256 |
256 |
256 |
256 |
256 |
256 |
256 |
Ingress replication peers |
256 |
256 |
256 |
256 |
256 |
256 |
256 |
Ingress replication Layer 2 VNIs |
1000 |
1000 |
1000 |
1000 |
1000 |
1000 |
1000 |
MAC addresses for ingress replication |
64,000 |
64,000 |
64,000 |
90,000 |
90,000 |
90,000 |
90,000 |
Port VLAN translations under an interface |
100 |
100 |
Not applicable |
500 |
500 |
500 |
100 |
Port VLAN translations in a switch |
2000 |
2000 |
Not applicable |
6000 |
6000 |
6000 |
2000 |
Static MAC addresses pointing to a remote VTEP |
1000 |
1000 |
1000 |
1000 |
1000 |
1000 |
1000 |
VXLAN VLAN logical port VP count |
7000 |
7000 |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
VXLAN VLANs per FEX port (host interface) |
75 |
75 |
Not applicable |
7521 |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Layer 2 routed VNIs for vPC-centralized gateway |
450 |
450 |
450 |
450 |
450 |
450 |
450 |
IGMP groups |
8192 |
8192 |
8192 |
8192 |
8192 |
8192 |
8192 |
VXLAN BGP eVPN |
|||||||
Layer 2 VNIs |
1000 |
2000 |
2000 |
2000, 4000 (with no Layer 3 VNIs) |
2000, 4000 (with no Layer 3 VNIs) |
2000, 4000 (with no Layer 3 VNIs) |
1000 |
Port VLAN translations under an interface |
100 |
100 |
Not applicable |
2000 |
2000 |
2000 |
100 |
Port VLAN translations in a switch |
2000 |
2000 |
Not applicable |
24000 |
24000 |
24000 |
2000 |
SVI with Distributed Anycast Gateway; Layer 2 VNI extended |
1000 |
2000 |
200022 |
200023 |
2000 |
2000 |
1000 |
Layer 3 VNIs / VRFs24 |
750 |
900 |
900 |
900 |
900 |
900 |
750 |
Underlay multicast groups |
128 |
128 |
128 |
128 |
128 |
128 |
128 |
VTEPs |
256 |
256 |
256 |
256 |
256 |
256 |
256 |
MAC addresses |
64,000 |
64,000 |
64,000 |
90,000 |
90,000 |
90,000 |
90,000 |
IPv4 host routes |
60,000 |
60,000 |
60,000 |
530,500 |
530,500 |
530,500 |
656,000 |
IPv6 host routes |
7000 |
7000 |
7000 |
24,000 |
24,000 |
24,000 |
34,000 |
Overlay IPv4 LPM routes |
12,000 |
12,000 |
8000 |
530,500 |
530,500 |
530,500 |
656,000 |
Overlay IPv6 LPM routes |
7000 |
7000 |
2000 |
266,00025 |
266,00026 |
266,00027 |
174,00028 |
VXLAN VLAN logical port VP count |
7000 |
10000 |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
VXLAN VLANs per FEX port (host interface) |
75 |
75 |
Not applicable |
Not applicable 29 |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
IGMP groups |
8192 |
8192 |
8192 |
8192 |
8192 |
8192 |
8192 |
VXLAN BGP eVPN Ingress Replication |
|||||||
Layer 2 VNIs |
1000 |
2000 |
2000 |
2000 |
2000 |
2000 |
1000 |
SVI with Distributed Anycast Gateway; Layer 2 VNI extended |
1000 |
2000 |
200030 |
200031 |
2000 |
2000 |
1000 |
Layer 3 VNIs / VRFs32 |
750 |
900 |
900 |
900 |
900 |
900 |
750 |
VTEPs |
256 |
256 |
256 |
256 |
256 |
256 |
256 |
MAC addresses |
64,000 |
64,000 |
64,000 |
90,000 |
90,000 |
90,000 |
90,000 |
IPv4 host routes |
32,000 |
32,000 |
32,000 |
530,500 |
530,500 |
530,500 |
656,000 |
IPv6 host routes |
7000 |
7000 |
7000 |
24,000 |
24,000 |
24,000 |
34,000 |
Overlay IPv4 LPM routes |
12,000 |
12,000 |
8000 |
530,500 |
530,500 |
530,500 |
656,000 |
Overlay IPv6 LPM routes |
7000 |
7000 |
2000 |
266,00033 |
266,00034 |
266,00035 |
174,00036 |
VXLAN VLAN logical port VP count |
7000 |
7000 |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
VXLAN VLANs per FEX port (host interface) |
75 |
75 |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
IGMP groups |
8192 |
8192 |
8192 |
8192 |
8192 |
8192 |
8192 |
92160YC-X Verified Limit |
9300-EX Platform Verified Limit |
9300-FX Platform Verified Limit |
|
---|---|---|---|
TCAM size |
1024 entries |
1024 entries |
1024 entries |
IPv4 – 4 entries per rule (TCP, UDP, ICMP, and IP) |
IPv4 – 2 entries per rule (ICMP and IP) |
IPv4 – 2 entries per rule (ICMP and IP) |
|
IPv6 – 16 entries per rule (4 entries per TCP, UDP, ICMPv6, and IPv6 for a total of 16 entries) |
IPv6 – 8 entries per rule (4 entries per ICMP and IPv6 for a total of 8 entries) |
IPv6 – 8 entries per rule (4 entries per ICMP and IPv6 for a total of 8 entries) |
|
(24 entries out of 1000 is consumed for default) |
(24 entries out of 1000 is consumed for default) |
(24 entries out of 1000 is consumed for default) |
|
TCAM scale |
250 (IPv4) or 62 (IPv6) |
500 (IPv4) or 125 (IPv6) |
500 (IPv4) or 125 (IPv6) |
VRF match |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
Not applicable |
The entire Cisco Tetration Analytics documentation set is available at the following URL: https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/data-center-analytics/tetration-analytics/tsd-products-support-series-home.html
Deployment Case Studies
This section provides sample topologies for some common deployments. For each topology, the scalability numbers are the limits with all of the listed features enabled at the same time.
![]() Attention |
These numbers are not the maximum verified values if each feature is viewed in isolation. For these numbers, see the "Verified Scalability Limits" section. |
Layer 2/Layer 3 Aggregation Topology (Max-Host Routing Mode)
This Layer 2/Layer 3 aggregation topology consists of Cisco Nexus 9508 switches as virtual port channel (vPC) aggregation pairs. These aggregation nodes are fully loaded with N9K-X9564TX, N9K-X9564PX, and N9K-X9636PQ line cards. The N9K-X9636PQ line cards are used in normal mode and breakout mode. Cisco Nexus 9396PX and 93128TX switches are used as top-of-rack units with Cisco Nexus 3000 Series switches to achieve the desired vPC scale.
The Cisco Nexus 9508 switch is also used as a core Layer 3 node that connects to a pair of vPC aggregation nodes. The focus of the topology is to test IPv4 ARP, IPv6 neighbor discovery (ND), and Layer 2 scalability and other routing, switching, and Layer 4 through Layer 7 features for management and operations. All Layer 3 interfaces are configured for dual stack, and the traffic is dual stack for all VLANs.
In the following table, the Verified Limit column lists the verified scaling capabilities with all listed features enabled at the same time. The scale numbers listed here exceed those used by most customers in their topologies. These numbers are not the maximum verified values if each feature is viewed in isolation.
Feature |
9508 Verified Limit (Max-Host Routing Mode) |
---|---|
Fully loaded chassis |
1 N9K-X9636PQ, 1 N9K-X9564TX, 2 N9K-X9564PX, 1 N9K-X9432PQ, 1 N9K-X9536PQ |
Physical interfaces enabled |
276 |
Multicast S,G routes |
653 |
Multicast *,G routes |
500 |
IPv4 unicast routes (LPM) |
5000 |
IPv6 unicast routes (LPM) |
850 |
IPv4 ARP |
65,000 |
IPv6 ND |
40,000 |
MAC addresses |
90,000 |
VLANs |
490 |
vPCs* |
200 |
OSPFv2 neighbors |
20 |
OSPFv3 neighbors |
4 |
BGP (IPv4) neighbors |
65 |
BGP (IPv6) neighbors |
65 |
SVIs |
490 |
STP logical ports |
2800 (RPVST) |
HSRP VLANs (IPv4/IPv6) |
490 |
Virtual ports |
700 |
Port channel links |
8 |
* The number of VLANs per vPC supported should be within the MST or RPVST virtual port count specified in this table, depending on the topology.
Layer 2/Layer 3 Aggregation Topology (Default Routing Mode)
This Layer 2/Layer 3 aggregation topology consists of Cisco Nexus 9516 switches as virtual port channel (vPC) aggregation pairs. These aggregation nodes are fully loaded with N9K-X9564TX, N9K-X9564PX, and N9K-X9536PQ line cards. The chassis is fully loaded with five line cards configured for breakout mode. The Cisco Nexus 9396PX and 93128TX switches are used as top-of-rack units with Cisco Nexus 3000 Series switches to achieve the desired vPC scale. The Cisco Nexus 9516 nodes are running in default routing mode. The Cisco Nexus 3164Q switch is also used as a core Layer 3 node that connects to a pair of vPC aggregation nodes.
The focus of the topology is to test IPv4 ARP, IPv6 neighbor discovery (ND), Layer 2 scalability, IPv4 and IPv6 LPM routing, Layer 2 and Layer 3 multicast routing for IPv4, and Layer 4 through Layer 7 features for management and operations. All Layer 3 interfaces are configured for dual stack, and the traffic is dual stack for all VLANs.
In the following table, the Verified Limit column lists the verified scaling capabilities with all listed features enabled at the same time. These numbers are not the maximum verified values if each feature is viewed in isolation.
Feature |
9516 Switch Verified Limit (Default Routing Mode) |
9300 Platform Verified Limit (Default Routing Mode) |
---|---|---|
Chassis configuration |
5 N9K-X9432PQ line cards 4 N9K-X9464PX line cards 3 N9K-X9536PQ line cards 3 N9K-X9464TX line cards 1 N9K-X9564TX line card |
9372 |
Physical ports |
1335 |
50 |
vPCs |
303 |
24 |
SVIs |
450 |
450 |
VRFs |
100 |
100 |
IPv4 ARP |
40,000 |
40,000 |
IPv6 ND |
10,000 |
10,000 |
STP logical ports |
10,000 |
6000 |
BGP neighbors (IPv4 + IPv6) |
502 + 502 |
502 + 502 |
IPv4 LPM routes |
50,000 |
6000 |
IPv6 LPM routes |
10,000 |
1000 |
BFD (IPv4 + IPv6) |
300 |
102 |
IGP OSPFv2 neighbors |
502 |
502 |
IGP OSPFv3 neighbors |
502 |
502 |
HSRP (IPv4 + IPv6) |
450 + 450 |
450 + 450 |
IGMP groups |
2000 |
2000 |
Multicast *,G routes |
2000 |
2000 |
Multicast S,G routes |
8000 |
6000 |
Tracking objects |
450 |
450 |
VLANs |
500 |
500 |
PIM neighbors |
502 |
502 |
MAC addresses |
60,000 |
60,000 |
Network address translation (NAT) |
Not applicable |
756 |
sFlow |
256 |
32 |
FEX System Topology
The FEX 9500 multi-dimensional scale topology consists of Cisco Nexus 9508 switches as virtual port channel (vPC) pairs. Each switch has multiple X9564PX line cards. Each switch has 32 FEX uplinks connected to them. The FEX 9300 multi-dimensional scale topology consists of two Cisco Nexus 9396PX switches used in vPC mode along with 16 FEX uplinks connected to each switch. Multiple FEXs of type Nexus 2248TP-E, 2232PP, 2248PQ, and 2348UPQ are used.
The switches are used at the Layer 2 and Layer 3 boundary and are also configured as VXLAN VTEPs. The FEX host ports are operating as Layer 2 ports. The switches are configured as gateways with the use of SVI interfaces.
In the following table, the Verified Limit column lists the verified scaling capabilities with all listed features enabled at the same time. The scale numbers listed here exceed those used by most customers in their topologies. These numbers are not the maximum verified values if each feature is viewed in isolation.
Feature |
9500 Platform Verified Limit |
9300 Platform Verified Limit |
---|---|---|
Fabric Extenders |
32 |
16 |
Up interfaces |
1100 |
560 |
Port channels |
426 |
256 |
vPC members |
390 |
360 |
VLANs |
744 |
416 |
PVLAN VLANs |
56 |
56 |
Secondary VLANs per primary VLAN |
25 |
25 |
MAC addresses |
45,000 |
25,000 |
HSRP |
365 |
365 |
ARP |
12,000 |
10,000 |
Neighbor discovery (ND) |
5000 |
5000 |
Multicast (*,G) |
4000 |
4000 |
Multicast (S,G) |
4000 |
4000 |
Multicast System Topology
Two Cisco Nexus 9508 switches are configured as vPC peers in one domain, and two Cisco Nexus 9372PX switches are configured as vPC peers in the other domain. The chassis are fully loaded with N9K-X9432PQ, N9K-X9464PX, N9K-X9536PQ, N9K-X9564PX, N9K-X9564TX, and N9K-X9636PQ line cards. eBGP routing is used to connect these two PIM domains. OSPF is used as IGP in one domain, and EIGRP is configured in the other domain. This setup is configured with multiple rendezvous points (RPs) to serve different multicast group ranges. BSR is used to advertise RP information in both of these PIM domains. PIM anycast is used in one domain, and MSDP anycast is used in the other domain for redundancy and load balancing. Static RP configuration is also used for a range of multicast groups.
The Cisco Nexus 9516 and Cisco Nexus 7000 Series switches are used as Layer 3 core routers in one domain. The Cisco Nexus 3164Q switches are used as Layer 3 core routers in the other domain. This topology also includes the Cisco Nexus 9396PX, Cisco Nexus 9372PX, and Cisco Nexus 3016/3064T switches in the access layer.
In addition to including Layer 2/Layer 3 IPv4 multicast routing, this topology also covers IPv4 and IPv6 host and LPM routing and Layer 2 unicast forwarding. All interfaces are configured for dual stack.
In the following table, the Verified Limit column lists the verified scaling capabilities with all listed features enabled at the same time. These numbers are not the maximum verified values if each feature is viewed in isolation.
Feature |
9500 Platform Verified Limit |
9300 Platform Verified Limit |
---|---|---|
Chassis configuration |
N9K-X9636PQ, N9K-X9536PQ, N9K-X9564PX, N9K-X9564TX, N9K-X9432PQ, N9K-X9464PX, N9K-X9432PQ, C3164PQ |
C9372PX, C9396PX, C3164PQ |
Multicast S,G routes |
17,500 |
5000 |
Multicast *,G routes |
2500 (IGMP) 12500 (snooping) |
500 (IGMP) 2500 (snooping) |
Sources |
2000, 200, 100, 40, 10, 3, 2, 1 |
2000, 200, 100, 40, 10, 3, 2, 1 |
Replications |
40 |
20 |
ECMPs |
16 |
8 |
SVIs |
200 |
200 |
HSRP/VRRP |
200 HSRP |
100 VRRP |
MAC addresses |
40,000 |
10,000 |
ARP |
20,000 |
4000 |
Unicast LPM IPv4 routes |
20,000 |
4000 |
Unicast LPM IPv6 routes |
10,000 |
1000 |
IPv4 ARP |
18,000 |
4000 |
IPv6 ND |
4000 |
2000 |
MSDP peers (fully mesh) |
4 |
4 |
Anycast RPs (MSDP and PIM anycast) 37 |
2 MSDP |
2 PIM anycast |
IPv4 multicast routes with PIM bidirectional groups |
8000 |
8000 |
VXLAN BGP/eVPN iBGP Centric Topology
This VXLAN BGP/eVPN iBGP centric topology consists of Cisco Nexus 9300 and 9500 Platform switches acting as VXLAN vPC tunnel endpoints (VTEPs) and VXLAN non-vPC VTEPs. VXLAN VTEPs establish iBGP sessions to a Cisco Nexus 9508 switch (route reflector) acting as a spine node. VXLAN-distributed anycast gateway SVIs are configured for dual stack, and the traffic is dual stack.
The focus of this topology is to test VXLAN overlay network scale and underlay Layer 2 switching and other routing, multicast, and Layer 4 through Layer 7 features for management and operations. Underlay PIM neighbors and IS-IS adjacency were tested with the default timer and Bidirectional Forwarding Detection (BFD) enabled on all links.
In the following table, the Verified Limit column lists the verified scaling capabilities with all listed features enabled at the same time. These numbers are not the maximum verified values if each feature is viewed in isolation.
Feature |
9500 Platform Verified Limit |
9300 Platform Verified Limit |
9200 Platform Verified Limit |
9300-EX Platform Verified Limit |
9300-FX Platform Verified Limit |
9364C Platform Verified Limit |
9500 with X9700-EX Verified Limit |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
System Routing Template |
default |
default |
default |
default38 |
default39 |
Not applicable |
default40 |
VXLAN VTEPs |
128 |
128 |
128 |
128 |
128 |
128 |
128 |
VXLAN Layer 2 VNIs |
1000 |
1000 |
1000 |
1000 |
1000 |
1000 |
1000 |
VXLAN Layer 3 VNIs/VRFs |
500 |
500 |
500 |
500 |
500 |
500 |
500 |
VXLAN multicast groups |
128 |
128 |
128 |
128 |
128 |
128 |
128 |
VXLAN overlay MAC addresses |
60,000 |
60,000 |
60,000 |
60,000 |
60,000 |
60,000 |
60,000 |
VXLAN overlay IPv4 host routes |
60,000 |
60,000 |
60,000 |
60,000 |
60,000 |
60,000 |
60,000 |
VXLAN overlay IPv6 host routes |
4000 |
4000 |
4000 |
4000 |
4000 |
Not applicable |
4000 |
VXLAN overlay IGMP Snooping groups |
200041 |
2000 |
2000 |
2000 |
2000 |
2000 |
2000 |
VXLAN IPv4 LPM routes |
10000 |
10000 |
5120 |
5120 |
5120 |
5120 |
5120 |
VXLAN IPv6 LPM routes |
2000 |
2000 |
1500 |
1500 |
1500 |
Not applicable |
1500 |
VXLAN VLAN logical port VP count |
5200 |
5200 |
5200 |
5200 |
5200 |
Not applicable |
5200 |
VLANs on VTEP node |
1700 (total VLANs) 1500 (VXLAN VLANs) 200 (non-VXLAN VLANs) |
1700 (total VLANs) 1500 (VXLAN VLANs) 200 (non-VXLAN VLANs) |
1700 (total VLANs) 1500 (VXLAN VLANs) 200 (non-VXLAN VLANs) |
1700 (total VLANs) 1500 (VXLAN VLANs) 200 (non-VXLAN VLANs) |
1700 (total VLANs) 1500 (VXLAN VLANs) 200 (non-VXLAN VLANs) |
1700 (total VLANs) 1500 (VXLAN VLANs) 200 (non-VXLAN VLANs) |
|
MST instances |
40 |
40 |
40 |
40 |
40 |
Not applicable |
40 |
STP logical ports |
3500 |
3500 |
3500 |
3500 |
3500 |
Not applicable |
3500 |
vPC port channels |
50 |
20 |
20 |
20 |
20 |
Not applicable |
20 |
Underlay IS-IS neighbors |
64 |
32 |
32 |
32 |
32 |
Not applicable |
32 |
Underlay PIM neighbors |
200 |
200 |
200 |
200 |
200 |
Not applicable |
200 |
Underlay HSRP groups for regular VLANs |
200 |
200 |
200 |
200 |
200 |
Not applicable |
200 |
Underlay vPC SVIs |
200 |
200 |
200 |
200 |
200 |
Not applicable |
200 |