Datasheet

© 2014 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. This document is Cisco Public Information. Page 4 of 14
Support for both forward (port-side exhaust) and reversed (port-side intake) airflow schemes is available. Forward
airflow is useful when the port side of the switch sits on a cold aisle and the power supply side sits on a hot aisle.
Reverse airflow is useful when the power supply side of the switch sits on a cold aisle and the port side sits on a
hot aisle.
Colored handles on each fan or power supply clearly indicate the airflow direction, as seen in Figures 5 and 6.
Figure 5. Cisco Nexus 3524 with Blue Handles Indicating Forward Airflow
Figure 6. Cisco Nexus 3524 with Red Handles Indicating Reversed Airflow
Cisco NX-OS Software Overview
Cisco NX-OS is a data center-class operating system built with modularity, resiliency, and serviceability at its
foundation. Cisco NX-OS helps ensure continuous availability and sets the standard for mission-critical data center
environments. The self-healing and highly modular design of Cisco NX-OS makes zero-impact operations a reality
and provides exceptional operational flexibility.
Focused on the requirements of the data center, Cisco NX-OS provides a robust and comprehensive feature set
that meets the networking requirements of present and future data centers. With an XML interface and a
command-line interface (CLI) like that of Cisco IOS
®
Software, Cisco NX-OS provides state-of-the-art
implementations of relevant networking standards as well as a variety of true data center-class Cisco innovations.
Cisco NX-OS Software Benefits
Table 1 summarizes the benefits that Cisco NX-OS Software offers.
Table 1. Benefits of Cisco NX-OS Software
Feature
Benefit
Common software throughout the data center: Cisco NX-OS runs on all Cisco
data center switch platforms (Cisco Nexus 7000, 5000, 4000, and 1000V Series
Switches and Cisco Nexus 2000 Series Fabric Extenders).
●
Simplification of data center operating environment
●
End-to-end Cisco Nexus and Cisco NX-OS fabric
●
No retraining necessary for data center engineering and
operations teams
Software compatibility: Cisco NX-OS interoperates with Cisco products
running any variant of Cisco IOS Software and also with any networking OS
that conforms to the networking standards listed as supported in this data
sheet.
●
Transparent operation with existing network
infrastructure
●
Open standards
●
No compatibility concerns
Modular software design: Cisco NX-OS is designed to support distributed
multithreaded processing. Cisco NX-OS modular processes are instantiated
on demand, each in a separate protected memory space. Thus, processes are
started and system resources allocated only when a feature is enabled. The
modular processes are governed by a real-time preemptive scheduler that
helps ensure timely processing of critical functions.
●
Robust software
●
Fault tolerance
●
Increased scalability
●
Increased network availability
Troubleshooting and diagnostics: Cisco NX-OS is built with unique
serviceability functions to allow network operators to take early action based
on network trends and events, enhancing network planning and improving
network operations center (NOC) and vendor response times. Cisco Smart
Call Home and Cisco Online Health Management System (OHMS) are some of
the features that enhance the serviceability of Cisco NX-OS.
●
Quick problem isolation and resolution
●
Continuous system monitoring and proactive
notifications
●
Improved productivity of operations teams