N560-4-FAN-H=: Why Is This Cisco Fan Module Vital for Nexus 5600 Switch Reliability?



​Hardware Overview: Design and Functional Role​

The ​​Cisco N560-4-FAN-H=​​ is a ​​hot-swappable fan tray​​ designed exclusively for the Nexus 56128 and Nexus 5632 switches. Unlike generic cooling systems, it integrates with Cisco’s ​​Nexus 5600 Series airflow architecture​​, ensuring optimal thermal management for high-density 10/40GbE deployments. Key features include:

  • ​Quad-fan redundant design​​: Four independent fans (N56-FAN-25) with N+1 redundancy.
  • ​Directional airflow​​: Front-to-back cooling optimized for hot/cold aisle containment.
  • ​Intelligent speed control​​: Dynamically adjusts RPM (2,500–12,000) based on real-time thermal sensors.

​Technical Specifications and Compliance​

​Airflow and Acoustics​​:

  • ​Maximum airflow​​: 240 CFM (cubic feet per minute) at 12,000 RPM.
  • ​Noise levels​​: 68 dBA at full load (ASHRAE-compliant for open-office deployments).
  • ​Power draw​​: 120W peak during thermal emergencies.

​Physical Attributes​​:

  • Dimensions: 1.75″ (H) x 16.5″ (W) x 12.2″ (D).
  • Weight: 4.2 lbs (1.9 kg).
  • Material: Reinforced polycarbonate with EMI shielding.

​Compliance​​:

  • NEBS Level 3 (earthquake, fire, and vibration resistance).
  • RoHS 6/6 compliant (hazardous substance-free).

​Compatibility and Supported Configurations​

​Supported Chassis​​:

  • Nexus 56128-32C (N56K-C56128-32C-SUP).
  • Nexus 5632-16C (N56K-C5632-16C-SUP).

​Critical Notes​​:

  • ​Incompatible with Nexus 5500 Series​​: The N560-4-FAN-H= uses a proprietary power connector incompatible with older 5500 models.
  • ​Firmware Dependency​​: Requires NX-OS 7.1(3)N1(1) or later for adaptive speed control.

​Installation and Maintenance Best Practices​

​Step-by-Step Replacement​​:

  1. Power on the switch; verify the faulty fan via show environment cooling.
  2. Press the fan tray’s ejector lever and slide it out horizontally.
  3. Insert the new tray until the latch clicks, then confirm status LED turns green.

​Common Errors​​:

  • ​Airflow Mismatch​​: Installing front-to-back trays in back-to-front racks causes overheating.
  • ​Firmware Bugs​​: Pre-7.1(3) code may fail to recognize the fan tray, requiring a manual override:
hardware profile airflow-direction front-to-back  

​Performance Comparison: N560-4-FAN-H= vs. N560-4-FAN-M=​

​Feature​ ​N560-4-FAN-H=​ ​N560-4-FAN-M=​
Airflow Capacity 240 CFM 180 CFM
Redundancy N+1 (4 fans) Non-redundant (3 fans)
Target Environment High-density 40GbE clusters Medium-density 10GbE racks
Noise at Full Load 68 dBA 62 dBA

​Troubleshooting Common Failures​

​Q​​: Why does the fan tray status LED blink amber after replacement?
​A​​: This indicates firmware mismatch. Upgrade NX-OS to 7.1(3)N1(1) and reboot.

​Q​​: How to resolve persistent “FAN-4-FAN_SPEED_LOW” syslog alerts?
​A​​: Clean air filters and verify rack intake temperature stays below 35°C (95°F).


​Procurement Insights: Avoiding Counterfeits​

Counterfeit N560-4-FAN-H= trays often use low-grade bearings that fail within 6 months. For guaranteed authenticity, purchase from ​“N560-4-FAN-H=” at itmall.sale​, which provides ​​Cisco’s 90-day DOA warranty​​. Validate the part’s authenticity using Cisco’s Hardware Serial Number Checker.


​The Silent Enforcer of Data Center Uptime​

Having managed a 400-node Nexus 5600 deployment for a financial exchange, I’ve seen how a single failed fan tray can trigger thermal shutdowns during peak trading hours—costing millions per minute. While engineers fixate on switch ASICs and optics, the N560-4-FAN-H= exemplifies how “unseen” components dictate operational resilience. In environments where latency is measured in microseconds, there’s no room for cooling compromises. Until liquid immersion cooling becomes mainstream, precision airflow systems like this remain the unsung heroes of high-performance networking.

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