Replacing a network core

[Steven Williams]

So with the fun marking games Cisco plays we now have two lines of "9ks" one Catalyst and one Nexus...I mean really Cisco...

So I currently run 4500-x in the core and we need to replace these so the question is Cat or Nexus...Its a collapsed core, we really have no need for ACI but we don't know the future. VXLAN maybe a thing for NSX, but maybe a little down the road. We need 40g min. 

I mean really beside the fact I have Nexus 9300s at the datacenter edge for 10G uplink of esx hosts is the only reason I would pick Nexus line for a replacement core so I am ready for ACI, but what are others opinions here?

[shaps]

If this is the DC core then I would be inclined to go for the Nexus, if your thinking of ACI then at least your some of the way there, afaik the cat 9k will be more geared to the SD access and you could be in the posistion where you have two seprate controllers in the future, one for ACI and the SD access side of things.
NSX does not need the underlying transport to support vxlan, just IP connectivity all the vtep sit on the esxi hosts.

[balaji.bandi]

If no Server traffic around, there is no reason for Nexus 9K.

Campus core always Cat 9500 is the best choice for you. (if you looking Modular, for now still 6800 is best choice)

i have been hearing cisco coming soon with Catalyst 9XXX series modular, when no idea yet, but hearing that soon.

[Steven Williams]

9400s are modular.

[balaji.bandi]

9400 moduler, but that not designed for Real core / Collapsed core,