The Cisco N9K-M12PQ is an uplink module for the Nexus 9300 platform providing up to 12 QSFP+ ports at 40 Gigabit. It fits three chassis and only three: the Nexus 9396PX, the Nexus 9396TX and the Nexus 93128TX, and how many ports come up depends on which of those it is installed in.
What it fits, and how many ports you actually get
Active port count varies by host chassis, so the module does not deliver the same capability everywhere it physically fits. Cisco states that the uplink module provides 8 active ports when installed in the Nexus 93128TX, and 12 active ports when installed in the Nexus 9396PX and 9396TX.
| Host chassis | Active 40G ports |
|---|---|
| Nexus 9396PX | 12 |
| Nexus 9396TX | 12 |
| Nexus 93128TX | 8 |
Two switches commonly confused with that list do not take this module at all. The Nexus 9372PX and the Nexus 9372TX carry 6 fixed 40 Gigabit QSFP+ uplinks and have no module bay, so no uplink module can be installed in either of them. Check the chassis model before ordering, because the 9372 and 9396 designations differ by two characters and describe fundamentally different hardware.
Break-out mode is not supported
Break-out is the first thing most buyers ask about a 40 Gigabit port and the answer here is no. Cisco states that the 40 Gigabit ports on this module do not support break-out mode, so a single 40G port cannot be split into four 10G links. What is supported is conversion of a port to a single 10 Gigabit port using a QSFP-to-SFP adapter, which is a one-for-one conversion rather than a four-for-one fan-out. A design needing 10 Gigabit density from these ports needs a different uplink strategy.
Lifecycle
Cisco end-of-life notice EOL11923 covers this module. End-of-Sale for the hardware was 1 May 2018 and the Last Ship Date was 30 July 2018. End of Vulnerability and Security Support and the Last Date of Support for the hardware both fell on 30 April 2023, so Cisco service on this part is closed and it is bought as a spare or an expansion for an installed 9396 or 93128TX chassis.
Condition, testing and what ships
Modules are refurbished Cisco parts carrying the original part number, tested on receipt and tested again on the bench before despatch. Parts including uplink modules carry the 1-year Enterasource warranty, and shipping is free FedEx Ground to the lower 48 states. The module weighs 3.12 lb. QSFP+ transceivers are quoted separately and are not supplied with it.
Related switches sit in the Cisco networking hardware range, including the fixed-uplink Nexus 93180YC-EX for designs that do not need a modular uplink path at all.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Nexus switches accept the N9K-M12PQ uplink module?
The Nexus 9396PX, the Nexus 9396TX and the Nexus 93128TX. Cisco specifies 12 active ports when the module is installed in the 9396PX or 9396TX and 8 active ports when it is installed in the 93128TX. No other Nexus 9300 chassis is listed, and fixed-uplink models such as the 9372PX and 9372TX have no module bay to install it in.
Can the M12PQ be fitted to a Nexus 9372PX or 9372TX?
No. Both of those switches have 6 fixed 40 Gigabit QSFP+ uplink ports built into the chassis and no expansion bay, so there is nothing to install a module into. This is a frequent purchasing error because the model numbers look similar, and it is worth confirming the chassis designation on the unit itself rather than on the purchase order.
Do the 40 Gigabit ports support break-out to 4 x 10 Gigabit?
No. Cisco documents that the 40 Gigabit ports on this module do not support break-out mode. A port can be converted to a single 10 Gigabit port using a QSFP-to-SFP adapter, which is a one-to-one conversion and does not increase port count. Any design relying on four 10 Gigabit links per 40 Gigabit cage needs a different approach.
Is the N9K-M12PQ still supported by Cisco?
No. Cisco notice EOL11923 sets End-of-Sale on 1 May 2018, the Last Ship Date on 30 July 2018, and both End of Vulnerability and Security Support and the Last Date of Support for the hardware on 30 April 2023. The module is therefore bought as a spare or a capacity addition for an installed chassis rather than as part of a new supported build.
