Nexus 9300 Active-Active FEX (VPC) Design

[rgreville666]

Hi,

The Nexus 9300 platform, can these be used in a VPC pair to connect a resilient FEX? As in Active-Active FEX. 

Looking at the guide it is...

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/switches/nexus-2000-series-fabric-extenders/200363-nexus-2000-fabric-extenders-supported-un.html#anc10

I'm running version 7.0(3)I4(3)... Which I appreciate isn't supported but then there is this comment.... "Support for N93XX models only listed in the release notes." I cant find anything!

I can't just rock up and upgrade a switch, I need a definitive answer, I just can't find it on CCO.

Any help much appreciated.

Thanks

RG

[Rick1776]

So if i'm reading your question correct the only way you can install the fex to the nexus 9K (depending on version) is in the straight-though manner or dual-homed.

Please see the following guide.

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/datacenter/nexus2000/sw/configuration/guide/n9k_rel_703I11/b_Cisco_Nexus_2000_Series_NX-OS_Fabric_Extender_Configuration_Guide_for_Cisco_Nexus_9000_Series_Switches_Release_7x/b_Cisco_Nexus_2000_Series_NX...

[rgreville666]

I managed to connect 2Ks to the both the 9300s via VPC using code version nxos.7.0.3.I7.3. 

[Martin Hart]

I know it was a while ago but I stumbled across this post whilst looking for so.me info on Nexus 9300 specifically 93180-YC-FX.

Here is the info I found

This is a very model specific issue, Nexus 9K has added support for dual homed fex. As of software version Cisco NX-OS Release 7.0(3)I5(2)

As per this document

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/datacenter/nexus2000/sw/configuration/guide/n9k_rel_703I11/b_Cisco_Nexus_2000_Series_NX-OS_Fabric_Extender_Configuration_Guide_for_Cisco_Nexus_9000_Series_Switches_Release_7x/b_Cisco_Nexus_2000_Series_NX...

The dual-homed FEX (active-active) topology is supported beginning with Cisco NX-OS Release 7.0(3)I5(2) for Cisco Nexus 9300 and 9300-EX Series switches.

This is not entirely true for the Nexus 93180-YC-FX you actually need to be running on a version

Hidden in this Additional notes in this Cisco document is the little gem that is only supported  in version 9.2(1) for this Nexus Model

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/datacenter/nexus9000/hw/interoperability/fexmatrix/fextables.html

Beginning with Cisco NX-OS Release 7.0(3)I7(3), the Cisco Nexus N9K-C93180YC-FX supports straight-through FEX with N2K-C2232PP and N2K-C2248TP FEX models in NX-OS Mode. Dual-homed FEX is added in Cisco NX-OS Release 9.2(1)

Hope this help some others looking for info on Dual Homing FEX to these devices.