Datasheet

Data Sheet

Expansion Module Options for the Cisco Nexus 5596UP Switch

The Cisco Nexus 5500 platform is equipped with expansion modules that can be used to increase the number of 10

Gigabit Ethernet and FCoE ports or to connect to Fibre Channel SANs with 8/4/2/1-Gbps Fibre Channel switch ports,

or both.

The Cisco Nexus 5596UP supports three expansion modules from the following offerings (Figure 6):

●

Ethernet module that provides sixteen 1 and 10 Gigabit Ethernet and FCoE ports using the SFP+ interface

●

Fibre Channel plus Ethernet module that provides eight 1 and 10 Gigabit Ethernet and FCoE ports using the

SFP+ interface, and eight ports of 8/4/2/1-Gbps native Fibre Channel connectivity using the SFP+/SFP

interface

●

A unified port module that provides up to sixteen 1 and 10 Gigabit Ethernet and FCoE ports using the SFP+

interface or up to sixteen ports of 8/4/2/1-Gbps native Fibre Channel connectivity using the SFP+ and SFP

interface. The use of 1 and 10 Gigabit Ethernet or 8/4/2/1-Gbps Fibre Channel on a port is mutually exclusive

but selectable for any of the 16 physical ports per module.

●

A Layer 3 module provides up to 160 Gbps of Layer 3 forwarding capability (240 mpps) that can be shared by

all the I/O ports in the chassis

Figure 6. From Left to Right: 16-Port 1 and 10 Gigabit Ethernet and FCoE Module, 8-Port Fibre Channel plus 8-Port 1 and 10

Gigabit Ethernet and FCoE Module, Unified Port Module, and Layer 3 Module

Cisco Nexus 2000 Series Fabric Extenders

The Cisco Nexus 2000 Series Fabric Extenders comprise a category of data center products that provide a universal

server-access platform that scales across a multitude of 1 Gigabit Ethernet, 10 Gigabit Ethernet, unified fabric, rack,

and blade server environments. The Cisco Nexus 2000 Series Fabric Extenders are designed to simplify data center

architecture and operations by meeting the business and application needs of a data center. Working in conjunction

with Cisco Nexus switches, the Cisco Nexus 2000 Series Fabric Extenders offer a cost-effective and efficient way to

support today’s Gigabit Ethernet environments while allowing easy migration to 10 Gigabit Ethernet, virtual machine-

aware Cisco unified fabric technologies.

The Cisco Nexus 2000 Series design is aligned with the design of servers. It offers front-to-back cooling,

compatibility with data center hot-aisle and cold-aisle designs, placement of all switch ports at the rear of the unit in

close proximity to server ports, and accessibility of all user-serviceable components from the front panel. The Cisco

Nexus 2000 Series is built for nonstop operation, with redundant hot-swappable power supplies and a hot-swappable

fan tray with redundant fans. Its compact 1RU form factor takes up relatively little space, making it easy to

incorporate into rack designs (Figure 7).

Figure 7. Cisco Nexus 2000 Series Fabric Extenders: Cisco Nexus 2148T (Bottom Left), Cisco Nexus 2248TP GE (Top Right)

and Cisco Nexus 2232PP 10GE (Bottom Right)