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Breeze Singh Data Center_ACI Professional • 3rd+ Follow
Data Center & Security Solutions Expert | CCIE & CCNP Security & D…
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🧠 What You See in the Image: High-Level Architecture
This is a Leaf and Spine architecture, focusing on leaf-side (access layer) components
used in ACI. It shows how an endpoint (PC/server) connects to the ACI fabric using Cisco
Nexus switches and APIC controller.
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🔎 Detailed Explanation of Components & Flow
🖥️ 1. Endpoint Device (PC or Server)
Connected To: The bottom-most switch (Nexus 9348GC-FIB)
Cable: Blue Ethernet cable (🟦)
Role: Acts as a client/user device or workload in the fabric
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🟣 2. Cisco Nexus 9348GC-FIB
Type: Leaf Switch with 48x 1G Copper ports + 6x 10G SFP uplinks
Use Case: Ideal for low-bandwidth or legacy devices using copper Ethernet
Connectivity:
Downlink to Endpoint (PC)
Uplink (fiber) to higher-speed leaf switch (93180YC-EX)
Cables:
🔵 Blue (PC)
🟦 Teal (Uplink to higher switch)
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🟠 3. Cisco Nexus 93180YC-EX
Type: High-performance Leaf Switch with 10G/25G/40G SFP ports
Use Case: Connects APIC, peer switches, and uplinks to spine switches (not shown here)
Connectivity:
Connected to Nexus 9348GC-FIB via orange and teal links
Connected to APIC via green link
Cables:
🟠 Orange: Fabric uplinks
🟢 Green: Management/control to APIC
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⚙️ 4. Cisco APIC (Application Policy Infrastructure Controller)
Model: Cisco UCS C-Series (typical APIC hardware)
Role:
Central controller of ACI
Configures policies, fabric provisioning, monitoring, and automation
Connectivity:
Connected to Nexus 93180YC-EX using a green cable (🟢)
Allows the APIC to manage the entire fabric
No direct connection to PC/server – it works logically through fabric
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🔗 Color Code for Cables (for Easy Understanding)
🔵 Blue – End-device (PC/server) Ethernet connection
🟢 Green – Management/Control link (APIC to Switch)
🟠 Orange – Uplink/Trunk link between switches
🟦 Teal – High-speed uplink from copper-based switch to fiber leaf
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📈 Why This Setup is Best
✅ Centralized Management using APIC
✅ Modular & Scalable: Can scale to thousands of devices
✅ High Speed + Legacy Compatibility: 10G+ support along with copper-based devices
✅ Easy Automation: Via policies in APIC
✅ Security & Segmentation: Supports microsegmentation via EPGs (Endpoint Groups)
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🏁 Flow Summary
1. PC connects to Nexus 9348GC-FIB (via copper)
2. Nexus 9348GC uplinks to Nexus 93180YC-EX
3. Nexus 93180 connects to APIC for control
4. Switches form part of the ACI leaf layer
5. Fabric centrally managed through APIC
#CiscoACI #DataCenterNetworking #NetworkArchitecture #CiscoNexus
#ITInfrastructure #CloudNetworking #NetworkDesign #NetOps #TechInnovation
#EnterpriseIT #NetworkAutomation #InfrastructureEngineering
#DigitalTransformation #CiscoCertified #SDN
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