Datasheet

Data Sheet
© 2011 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. This document is Cisco Public Information. Page 7 of 22
Table 3. The Cisco Nexus 5500 Platform Supports SFP+ Direct-Attach 10 Gigabit Copper for In-Rack Cabling, and Optical
Solutions for Longer Connections
Connector (Media) Cable Distance Power (Each Side) Transceiver Latency
(Link)
Standard
SFP+ CU copper Twinax 5m Approximately 0.1W Approximately 0.1
microsecond
SFF 8431
SFP+ ACU copper Active Twinax 7m
10m
Approximately 0.5W Approximately 6.8
nanoseconds
SFF 8461
SFP+ SR MMF and
SR
MM OM2
MM OM3
82m
300m
1W Approximately 0
microseconds
IEEE 802.3ae
Features and Benefits
The comprehensive feature sets of the Cisco Nexus 5500 platform make it well suited for top-of-rack, middle-of-row,
or end-of-row data center access-layer applications. The platform switches protect investments in data center racks
with standards-based 10 Gigabit Ethernet and FCoE features and virtual machineawareness features that allow IT
departments to consolidate networks based on their own requirements and timing. The combination of higher port
density, lossless Ethernet, wire-speed performance, and very low latency makes the switch platform well suited for
meeting the growing demand for 10 Gigabit Ethernet that can support a common Ethernet-based fabric in enterprise
and service provider data centers, protecting enterprises’ investments. The switch platform provides sufficient port
density to support single and multiple racks fully populated with blade and rack-mount servers.
●
Built for today’s data centers, the switches are designed just like the servers they support. Ports and power
connections are at the rear, close to server ports, helping keep cable lengths as short and efficient as
possible, delivering benefits traditionally offered on blade servers to rack servers as well. Hot-swappable
power and fan modules can be accessed from the front panel, where status lights offer an at-a-glance view of
switch operation. Front-to-back cooling is consistent with server designs, supporting efficient data center hot-
and cold-aisle designs. Serviceability is enhanced with all customer-replaceable units accessible from the
front panel. The use of SFP+ ports offers increased flexibility, enabling use of a range of interconnect
solutions, including copper Twinax cable for short runs and fiber for long runs.
●
DCB enables Ethernet fabrics to support lossless transmission to increase network scalability, support I/O
consolidation, ease management of multiple traffic flows, and optimize performance. Although SAN
consolidation requires only the lossless fabric provided by the Ethernet Pause mechanism, the Cisco Nexus
5500 platform provides additional features that create an even more easily managed, high-performance,
unified network fabric. DCB features are summarized in Table 4 and supported by the Cisco Nexus 5500
platform.
Table 4. DCB Features and Benefits
Feature Business Benefit
Priority Flow Control (PFC)
●
Simplifies management of multiple traffic flows over a single network link
●
Creates lossless behavior for Ethernet by allowing class-of-service (CoS)-based flow control
Enhanced Transmission Selection (ETS) Enables consistent management of quality of service (QoS) at the network level by providing
consistent scheduling of different traffic types (IP, storage, etc.)
Data Center Bridging Exchange (DCBX)
Protocol
Simplifies network deployment and reduces configuration errors by providing autonegotiation of DCB
features between the NIC and the switch and between switches
●
FCoE is a standards-based upper-layer protocol that maps the Fibre Channel Protocol (FCP) and services
onto Layer 2 Ethernet. It is a straightforward encapsulation of Fibre Channel within Ethernet that preserves
existing Fibre Channel network management models and tools, helping protect investments in software and
staff training.