Cisco’s N3K-C3064TQ-10GT: That Unsung Data Center Workhorse

Cisco’s N3K-C3064TQ-10GT: That Unsung Data Center Workhorse​

You might have seen this sleek 1RU switch tucked away in a server rack and wondered what it’s really capable of. Well, the N3K-C3064TQ-10GT isn’t just another piece of networking hardware—it’s a bridge between old and new infrastructure, especially for teams looking to upgrade without rewiring everything.

Let’s start with the specs that matter. This box packs 48 copper 10GBase-T ports, each auto-negotiating from 100Mbps up to 10Gbps, plus four QSFP+ slots​ that can each run as a native 40Gbps link or break out into four 10Gbps connections. That’s a total of 64 ports ready to handle everything from virtualized servers to storage traffic. The beauty here is flexibility: if you’ve already invested in Cat6/6a cabling, this switch lets you jump to 10G without a forklift upgrade.

On the outside, it’s all business—a standard rack-width metal chassis with a clean, utilitarian design. The RJ-45 ports are lined up neatly, with the QSFP+ slots on the right side. It’s not flashy, but the build feels solid, like it’s meant to run for years without a fuss. One thing to note: this model ships withoutpower supplies or fan trays, so you’ll need to source those separately .

What stands out in real-world use is how it handles mixed workloads. Imagine connecting a hyper-converged cluster over copper, then linking to a spine switch via the QSFP ports—all while keeping latency low. Users mention that for environments with lots of 1G-to-10G transitions, this switch just works. The copper ports are forgiving with cable quality, and the Layer 3 features (like OSPF or BGP) let it play nice in larger networks.

But there’s a catch. Cisco has officially discontinued this model , so what you’re buying today is likely refurbished or leftover stock. That means no manufacturer warranty, though some resellers offer their own coverage. The pros? You get enterprise-grade features at a lower entry cost. The cons? Potential firmware compatibility hurdles or limited future support.

If you’re budget-conscious and need dense 10G copper connectivity, the 3064-T delivers value. It’s not the latest tech, but for small-to-mid data centers or labs, it’s a reliable performer. Just factor in the cost of those missing power supplies and fans—and maybe keep a spare unit on hand.

In short, this switch is like a trusted tool: not glamorous, but it gets the job done without drama.