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Core Architecture & Technical Capabilities
The Cisco Nexus N5K-C5548UP is a 10G/FC/FCoE switch designed for unified fabric deployments, combining 48x SFP+ ports (10G Ethernet or 8/16G Fibre Channel) with 4x QSFP+ uplinks. Key specifications include:
- Switching Capacity: 960 Gbps with 720 Mpps forwarding rate, supporting Unified Port Mode for hybrid Ethernet/FC traffic.
- Protocol Support: Native FCoE, DCB (Data Center Bridging), and FabricPath for lossless storage convergence.
- Power Efficiency: Dual 920W hot-swappable PSUs with N+1 redundancy, consuming 300W typical power in FCoE configurations.
Strategic Advantages in Converged Networks
Legacy SAN Modernization
Unlike pure Ethernet switches like N5K-C5672UP, the N5K-C5548UP integrates Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE), eliminating separate FC switches in virtualized environments. Its Unified Port Mode allows dynamic allocation of ports for SAN/NAS traffic.
Scalability & Performance
- Buffer Management: 512MB shared memory prevents frame loss during FC traffic bursts.
- Multi-Hop FCoE: Supports FIP snooping for secure FCoE connectivity across Layer 2 boundaries.
| Feature | N5K-C5548UP | N5K-C5020P-BA (Legacy) |
|---|---|---|
| Port Flexibility | 48 SFP+ + 4 QSFP+ | 20 fixed 10G + 4 expansion |
| Max FC Speed | 16G | 8G |
| Unified Fabric Support | Yes | No |
| Latency (FC) | <1 μs | ~3 μs |
Deployment Scenarios & Operational Challenges
Hyperconverged Infrastructure Backbones
The switch’s FCoE support enables direct connectivity to UCS Blade servers and NetApp FAS arrays, reducing cabling complexity by 40% in VDI environments.
Firmware Limitations
Non-XL variants require NX-OS 5.x for FCoE functionality, with NX-OS 7.x introducing FabricPath support. End-of-life (EOL) announced for 2024, but ITmall.sale provides firmware patches until 2027.
Cost-Effective Procurement via ITmall.sale
ITmall.sale offers certified refurbished N5K-C5548UP units at **2,980∗∗(852,980** (85% below Cisco’s 2,980∗∗(8520,000 list price), including:
- Lifetime Warranty: Covers DS-X6148-SFP+ modules and power supplies.
- Tested Compatibility: Validated with third-party SFP-10G-SR optics and QLogic 8G FC HBAs.
- Immediate Availability: Pre-configured with NX-OS 5.2(1)N1(1) for plug-and-play FCoE setups.
FAQs: Critical Implementation Insights
Q: Can SFP+ ports simultaneously handle Ethernet and FC traffic?
A: Yes – via Unified Port Mode, but requires zoning through Cisco DCNM.
Q: Is FabricPath compatible with traditional spanning-tree protocols?
A: No – FabricPath replaces STP with IS-IS routing for Layer 2 multipathing.
Q: What’s the maximum FC distance supported?
A: 16G SWL optics achieve 10km over SMF; 16G SFP+ limits to 125m over OM4 MMF.
For enterprises modernizing legacy SANs with FCoE convergence, the N5K-C5548UP remains a cost-efficient transitional solution. Explore certified inventory and lifecycle support at ITmall.sale’s Cisco Nexus portfolio to maximize ROI on unified fabric deployments.