Cisco Nexus 9300 vs Arista 7280 — Data Center Switch Comparison
Nexus 9300 (Cisco) and 7280 (Arista) are the two dominant top-of-rack / leaf switches for modern data centers. Both 1/10/25/40/100 GbE, both VXLAN/EVPN-capable, both deployed at massive scale (Google, Facebook, large enterprises).
Quick Verdict
Arista wins on automation (EOS API + JSON), open standards, cloud-native operations. Cisco wins on ecosystem depth, NX-OS feature breadth, and Cisco-shop investment leverage.
Side-by-Side Spec Comparison
| Spec | Cisco Nexus 9300 | Arista 7280 |
|---|---|---|
| OS | NX-OS | EOS (Linux-based) |
| VXLAN / EVPN | Yes | Yes |
| Automation API | NX-API / Ansible | eAPI / pyeapi / Ansible |
| Streaming Telemetry | Cisco Telemetry Streaming | gNMI / OpenConfig native |
| Port Speeds | 1/10/25/40/100 GbE | 1/10/25/40/100 GbE |
| Buffer Size | 40 MB (9300-EX) | 40 MB (7280) |
| CloudVision (Arista) | N/A | Built-in NMS |
| Refurbished Price (48p 25/100) | $8K-15K | $7K-13K |
Green-highlighted cells indicate the winner for that spec.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has better automation?
Arista EOS — built on standard Linux, supports any Linux/Python tooling natively. Cisco NX-OS supports Ansible/NetMiko/NETCONF but feels bolted-on vs Arista's native approach.
Can I run them in the same fabric?
Yes — both speak BGP-EVPN. Many Tier-1 cloud providers run mixed Cisco + Arista fabrics for vendor diversity.
Our Recommendation
Arista for cloud-native / Linux-shop DevOps culture. Cisco Nexus for established Cisco enterprises with DNA Center / SDN investment.
Need help deciding?
Email sales@prodisknetwork.com with your specific requirements. Our team will match you to the right product based on your workload, budget, and existing infrastructure.