Cisco Nexus 7k - Large Features in a Large Package.
April 24, 2021

Cisco Nexus 7k - Large Features in a Large Package.

Anonymous | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User

Software Version

Nexus 7000 Series

Overall Satisfaction with Cisco Nexus

Currently we are using Cisco Nexus 7k as a Data Center distribution switch. They are uplinked to a pair of Nexus 6k, and feed to 10-20 Nexus 5ks. We like them for their ability to take a large amount of connections and aggregate them up to the core. Currently, there are 6 groups of 2 paired together, providing close to 120 Gbps to the core.
  • Great, High Density Aggregation
  • Virtual Device Contexts: Different contexts for different tenants
  • Very Scalable
  • No restart in service software upgade
  • VDCs are hard to understand at first crack
  • Nexus 5k is better for TOR and EOR solutions
  • Software is still very buggy even after 5 years.
  • Configuration Sync is buggy as well.
  • Virtual Device Contexts
  • Configuration Sync
  • Modular
  • Great aggregation allows to have many racks uplinked to the core
  • High speed cards support 40 and 100 Gbps
  • Buggy software lead to hours of downtime during the worst times.
  • Cisco Application Centric Infrastructure (Cisco ACI)
We just started deploying Cisco ACI to replace our Cisco Nexus infrastructure. The ACI platform allows us to do more with fewer devices, while expanding on features such as changing the Virtual Device Contexts to a better multi tenant platform. Additionally, we are able to have a better mesh in our DCs.

Do you think Cisco Nexus Series Switches delivers good value for the price?

Yes

Are you happy with Cisco Nexus Series Switches's feature set?

Yes

Did Cisco Nexus Series Switches live up to sales and marketing promises?

Yes

Did implementation of Cisco Nexus Series Switches go as expected?

Yes

Would you buy Cisco Nexus Series Switches again?

Yes

The Nexus 7k is great for larger DCs that require aggregation for TOR and EOR switches. Having Virtual Device Contexts will allow users in a multiple tenant configuration use the switch to their needs without affecting other users. For example, a colocation center could use this to connect multiple tenants to the internet without the tenants seeing each other.

The Cisco Nexus 7k would not be suited for smaller deployments. Cisco Nexus 7K is heavy and overkill for a smaller DC