Guide price: Price range: £425.00 through £6,500.00 Ex. VAT
The Cisco Nexus N9K-C9348GC (or N9K-C9348GC-FXP) is a fixed-configuration data centre switch in the Nexus 9000-FX Series designed for high-density top-of-rack and leaf deployments. It combines 48 × 100 M/1 GbE BASE-T RJ-45 ports with 4 × 1/10/25 GbE SFP28 ports and 2 × 40/100 GbE QSFP28 ports for flexible multi-rate connectivity across server, storage, and aggregation layers. The switch supports hardware-based Layer 2 and Layer 3 forwarding on Cisco NX-OS and is engineered for demanding enterprise and cloud environments that require resilient performance and broad protocol support.
Ideal Deployment / Environment:
The N9K-C9348GC is suited to high-density access and leaf roles in enterprise and cloud data centre fabrics where a mix of copper and high-speed optical connectivity is required. Its extensive RJ-45 port count simplifies deployment for servers or OOB interfaces with Gigabit requirements, while its 25 GbE and 40/100 GbE uplinks support aggregation into spine layers. The platform’s forwarding performance and NX-OS feature set make it effective for scalable Layer 2/Layer 3 fabrics with robust protocol support and network automation integration.
Cisco offers a wide portfolio of subscription-based services that enhance visibility, security, and operational resilience across enterprise and data center networks.
With the right combination of platforms and licenses, you can simplify management, protect critical infrastructure, and unlock advanced analytics.
Explore Cisco service options below.
What is Cisco Nexus Dashboard Insights?
Cisco Nexus Dashboard Insights (NDI) is a subscription-based observability and assurance solution for data centre and multi-cloud networking environments.
NDI Subscriptions | Features | Advantages |
Base | Health monitoring, topology visualisation, and event correlation. | Gain real-time visibility across ACI and Nexus fabrics. |
Advantage | Adds predictive analytics, anomaly detection, and capacity forecasting. | Prevent outages and optimise performance with proactive insights. |
Premier | Includes compliance verification, audit reporting, and policy validation. | Maintain regulatory compliance and secure configurations at scale. |
What is Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE)?
Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) is a network access control (NAC) platform that delivers secure, identity-based access for users and devices across wired, wireless, and VPN connections. It provides centralised policy control and is a foundation for Zero Trust networking.
| ISE Licenses | Features | Advantages |
|---|---|---|
| Essentials | Basic access control, guest services, device visibility. | Ensure every device on your network is identified and authenticated. |
| Advantage | Advanced policy, posture assessment, and integration with threat intelligence. | Improve compliance and security with centralised, automated enforcement. |
| Premier | Includes all Advantage features plus profiling, segmentation, and advanced integrations. | Enable full Zero Trust and protect against lateral movement in hybrid networks. |
Why work with a Cisco partner?
Licensing can be complex. Our team ensures you select the right tier for your needs, integrate successfully with Catalyst/Nexus environments, and deploy ISE to full effect.
What is Cisco SMARTnet (Smart Net Total Care)?
Cisco SMARTnet is a support and maintenance subscription that ensures critical Catalyst and Nexus infrastructure is always supported, patched, and covered by hardware replacement SLAs.
| SMARTnet Service Levels | Features | Advantages |
|---|---|---|
| Next Business Day | Replacement hardware shipped by the next business day. | Cost-effective option for less critical infrastructure. |
| 4-Hour Onsite | 24/7 support with 4-hour onsite replacement. | Minimise downtime for mission-critical switches and data centre infrastructure. |
| 2-Hour Onsite | 24/7 support with 2-hour replacement (where available). | Protect core network services with the fastest recovery option. |
Why work with a Cisco partner?
SMARTnet can only be purchased via authorised partners. Our role is to ensure you receive the right coverage, rapid hardware replacement, and lifecycle insights.
What is Cisco DNA Software for Switching?
Cisco DNA Software subscriptions deliver advanced automation, assurance, and security for Nexus 9000 switches. Licenses are purchased per-switch and unlock software-defined capabilities.
| DNA License Tiers | Features | Advantages |
|---|---|---|
| Essentials | Basic automation, software image management, and telemetry. | Simplify device management with centralised updates and monitoring. |
| Advantage | Adds policy-based automation, assurance, and security integrations. | Automate provisioning and reduce manual configuration errors. |
| Premier | Includes Advantage features plus full SD-Access with advanced segmentation. | Enable Zero Trust and simplify policy deployment across the entire fabric. |
Why work with a Cisco partner?
We ensure DNA licenses are aligned to your hardware refresh cycles and future requirements—so you avoid overspending while unlocking maximum value
Talk to a certified Cisco expert. We’ll help you choose the right combination of hardware, licenses, and services.
Through Cisco’s Capital Finance and Flexible Payment Solutions, we help enterprises and data centres fund new initiatives in ways that fit both IT and business priorities.
Speak with our team today to explore how Cisco financing can help to launch your next IT project sooner.
Cisco Refresh gives you access to certified remanufactured equipment that performs like new and has the same warranty, but at a lower cost and environmental impact.
Cisco Refresh must be purchased via authorised partners like Steel City Consulting. Ask us to check Cisco Refresh stock availability and provide a cost comparison for your next upgrade or expansion project today.
As a certified partner, we provide access to Cisco promotions that reduce upfront spend and accelerate upgrades.
When you work with us, we can bundle and stack multiple offers, navigate application processes, and secure pricing that often isn’t accessible without a Cisco partner. Visit our promotions hub for current Cisco offers and to discuss your eligibility
Expert guidance for the right fit
We don’t just sell IT hardware. Every network solution we recommend is assessed against your organisation’s specific security concerns, performance requirements, and infrastructure plans. This consultative approach ensures that our guidance is aligned with your needs, so that you can invest in new IT hardware with complete confidence.
Exclusive discounts and strategic advantages
When your business works with Steel City Consulting, you will gain access to partner-only promotions, bundled solutions, and live demos. Combined with our technical expertise and ongoing support, this ensures your hardware is secure, cost-optimised, and future-ready.
Enterprise-grade IT network services
Backed by extensive technical knowledge, our network of certified specialists deliver end-to-end support to keep your IT infrastructure performing at its best. Our enterprise network solutions include…
| Our service | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Networking Design & Installation |
+ Custom architecture aligned to your business goals + Scalable networks built for growth + Expert installation with minimal disruption to operations + 30-day support window post-installation |
| Network Management & Support |
+ Real-time performance and traffic monitoring + Network design tools for scaling and upgrades + Security alerting and incident response + Backup and failover strategy implementation |
| WiFi Site Surveys |
+ Heatmapping and signal analysis + Access point optimisation + Detailed reports and tailored recommendations + Security enhancements and interference mitigation |
| Business Fibre & FTTP Installation |
+ Up to 1Gbps dedicated bandwidth + Private and uncontended connections + Seamless installation and expert aftercare + 24/7 support and monitoring |
Not sure which model is right for your environment? Our specialists can help you select the right platform for your infrastructure requirements.
