Cisco PSU4.3KW-HVPI= High-Capacity Power Supp
Functional Overview and Target Applications...
Core Architecture & Technical Specifications
The Cisco Nexus N5K-C5596UP is a 1RU Layer 2/3 switch designed for unified fabric deployments, combining 48x10G Unified Ports (supporting FCoE, Fibre Channel, or Ethernet) and 6x40G QSFP+ uplinks. Key features include:
- Switching Capacity: 960 Gbps with 720 Mpps forwarding rate, enabling wire-speed performance for storage and data traffic convergence.
- Unified Port Flexibility: Each port operates as 10G Ethernet, FCoE, or 8/16G Fibre Channel, eliminating separate SAN/NIC hardware.
- Power Efficiency: Dual 930W hot-swappable PSUs with N+1 redundancy, consuming 300W typical power in FCoE mode.
Strategic Advantages Over Previous-Gen Models
Converged Network & Storage Traffic
Unlike the N5K-C5672UP (fixed Ethernet-only ports), the N5K-C5596UP supports FCoE natively, reducing cabling complexity by 40% in hyper-converged infrastructures.
Scalability for Virtualized Workloads
- Buffer Management: 12MB shared buffer minimizes frame loss during SAN traffic bursts.
- Protocol Support: DCB, FIP snooping, and FCoE NPV ensure lossless storage networking.
| Feature | N5K-C5596UP | N5K-C56128P |
|---|---|---|
| Unified Port Support | Yes (FCoE/FC/Ethernet) | Ethernet-only |
| Max Port Density | 48x10G + 6x40G | 32x40G |
| Typical Use Case | HCI storage convergence | High-density 40G core |
| Latency | <3 μs | <2 μs |
Deployment Scenarios & Operational Insights
Hyper-Converged Infrastructure (HCI)
The switch’s FCoE and NPV capabilities streamline VMware vSAN and Nutanix deployments, reducing NIC/HBA counts by 60%. Cisco’s validated design recommends QSFP-40G-SR4 optics for <100m spine-leaf connectivity.
Firmware Limitations
Non-XL variants require NX-OS 5.x or earlier for full FCoE functionality, with later versions deprecating FC/FCoE support in favor of ACI-centric models.
Cost-Effective Procurement via ITmall.sale
ITmall.sale offers certified refurbished N5K-C5596UP units at **1,950∗∗(851,950** (85% below Cisco’s 1,950∗∗(8513,000 MSRP), including:
- Lifetime Warranty: Covers PSUs and fan modules (N5K-C5596-FAN).
- Tested Compatibility: Validated with Cisco SFP-10G-SR and QLogic 8G FC transceivers.
- Immediate Availability: Pre-configured with NX-OS 5.2(1)N1(1) for plug-and-play SAN convergence.
FAQs: Critical Implementation Insights
Q: Can Unified Ports switch between FC and Ethernet dynamically?
A: No – port mode changes require reboots, making predefined zoning essential.
Q: Does it support 25G/100G upgrades?
A: No – the N5K series is limited to 10G/40G; consider Nexus 9000 for 25G/100G.
Q: What’s the end-of-support timeline?
A: Cisco retired the N5K line in 2020, but refurbished units remain viable through 2025 with ITmall.sale’s firmware archives.
For enterprises modernizing legacy SAN/NAS environments, the N5K-C5596UP remains a cost-efficient bridge to unified fabric. Explore certified inventory at ITmall.sale’s Cisco Nexus portfolio to streamline data center convergence without costly overhauls.