Finding Cisco Equivalent of a HPE Core Switch

Hi all,

I've been tasked with looking at datacenter switches from Cisco that would be the equivalent of a HPE 5900 Series Switch. (namely a HPE 5900AF-48XG-4QSFP + Switch)

The HPE 5900's are utilised as datacenter cabinet core switches. Basically, they connect up a couple of Blade chassis running Virtualised servers for customers as well as a BGP router providing Internet and finally the interconnects from circuit providers that connect to remote customer offices. Customers are segmented using MPLS and virtualised firewalls.

This means it needs to be a Layer 3 switch capable of BGP, OSFP and MPLS primarily.

They are run as a 2x unit Stack.

Part of the attraction to the HPE 5900 series previously is it's a 1u "do everything" core and HPE's licensing means everything is unlocked off the bat. Size is at a premium at the datacenter these will be installed in, so 2x 1U 10Ge switches is more attractive than 2x chassis switches.

There is a desire for this design on a new build platform to be Cisco, as sites being on-boarded, as well as eventual support will come from a business with an exclusively Cisco background. That's what they use, that's what they want.

I've been out of the Cisco world for a long time, working on HPE (Comware) kit, which is essentially an IOS clone OS. It's very, very similar in command structure and features.

Taking a look at Catalyst Vs Nexus, it appears the frontrunners would be:-

• Cisco Catalyst C9500-40X - Appears very L3 capable. Seems to be what I'd think is the closest match to a HPE-5900. Are stackable.
• Nexus 5000 series switches - These are EOL for ordering next month and need a L3 line card for L3 features, so don't appear to be the best choice.
• A Nexus 7000 series Chassis switch - Appears to be as capable as an old 6500 Chassis switch. Size would be biggest issue with these I believe. Need to look into in-chassis resilience as well. Might make them an option.
• 9300-9500 = I believe these have no direct L3 MPLS VPN Support, so they're out. I'm still reading about the 9000 series this morning.
• Other option is a smaller Cisco 6500 chassis, but this seems like it wouldn't be the best long-term idea.

Any advice or a steer on an equivalent switch from the Cisco side would be very much appreciated. Thanks all.

I've learned a lot and gotten lots of advice over the past few years of lurking in this subreddit, but haven't actually had reason to post anything much before today.