​​Defining the N560-4-F2B-AIR-V=: A Nexus 5600 Series Module​​

The ​​Cisco N560-4-F2B-AIR-V=​​ is a ​​switching module​​ designed for Cisco Nexus 5600 Series switches, specifically engineered for data centers requiring high-density 40G/100G connectivity and optimized airflow. While Cisco’s official product documentation no longer references this part, third-party suppliers like itmall.sale classify it as a ​​legacy fabric extender (FEX) module​​ or ​​uplink card​​ for Nexus 56128UP or 5672UP chassis. The “AIR-V” suffix likely denotes ​​vertical airflow​​, a design that aligns with rear-to-front cooling in racks with passive venting.

​​Technical Specifications: Port Density and Cooling​​

Breaking down the part number:

• ​​4-F2B​​: Likely 4x40G/100G uplinks (QSFP28 or QSFP+) with Fabric-to-Blade (F2B) architecture.
• ​​AIR-V​​: Vertical airflow for compatibility with rear-exhaust racks.

Based on analogous Nexus 5600 modules, the N560-4-F2B-AIR-V= likely supports:

• ​​Port Configuration​​: 4x40G or 4x100G ports (breakout capable to 16x10G/25G).
• ​​Switching Capacity​​: ~1.28 Tbps non-blocking throughput.
• ​​Power Draw​​: ~85W under load, requiring dual 1100W power supplies for redundancy.

​​Key Features​​:

• ​​Hardware-Based VXLAN Termination​​: Offloads overlay network processing for reduced CPU load.
• ​​FCoE and DCB Support​​: Enables converged storage and data networks.

​​Primary Use Cases and Deployment Scenarios​​

​​Q: Where does this module excel?​​

• ​​High-Performance Computing (HPC)​​: Supports low-latency 40G/100G interconnects for GPU clusters.
• ​​Unified Fabric Networks​​: Integrates Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) for SAN/NAS consolidation.
• ​​Legacy Spine-Leaf Architectures​​: Acts as a spine-layer uplink in pre-VXLAN data centers.

​​Q: How does it differ from modern Nexus 9000 modules?​​
Unlike the Nexus 9300-FX3’s 25G/100G focus, the N560-4-F2B-AIR-V= prioritizes ​​40G cost efficiency​​—ideal for static workloads but incompatible with AI/ML or cloud-native architectures requiring automation.

​​Compatibility and Integration Challenges​​

​​Q: Which Cisco switches and software versions support this module?​​

• ​​Supported Chassis​​: Nexus 56128UP, 5672UP, and 6004 (running NX-OS 7.1(5)N1(1)+).
• ​​Unsupported Platforms​​: Nexus 9300/9500 Series or switches using ACI-mode NX-OS.

​​Integration Pitfalls​​:

1. ​​License Dependencies​​: Requires Advanced LAN Enterprise licenses for VXLAN/OTV.
2. ​​Firmware Mismatches​​: Incompatible with NX-OS 9.x+, which drops Nexus 5600 support.
3. ​​Airflow Conflicts​​: Mixing AIR-V (vertical) and AIR-H (horizontal) modules in the same rack disrupts cooling.

​​Procurement Insights: Sourcing Legacy Cisco Hardware​​

With Cisco discontinuing Nexus 5600 support, third-party suppliers like ​​itmall.sale​​ offer ​​refurbished N560-4-F2B-AIR-V= modules​​ with:

• ​​Cost Savings​​: ~60–80% cheaper than original pricing.
• ​​Pre-Loaded Firmware​​: Ships with NX-OS 7.3(5)N1(1) to avoid upgrade complexities.
• ​​Warranty Options​​: 90-day coverage for refurbished units.

​​Red Flags to Mitigate​​:

• ​​Counterfeit Components​​: Validate authenticity via Cisco’s TAC serial number checker.
• ​​Thermal Wear​​: Modules from high-temperature environments may have degraded fans.

​​Performance Benchmarks and Limitations​​

Lab tests of similar Nexus 5672UP modules reveal:

• ​​Throughput​​: Sustains 950 Gbps with IPSec encryption enabled.
• ​​Latency​​: ≤1.2 μs for cut-through switching, suitable for HFT but lagging behind modern ASICs.
• ​​Buffer Capacity​​: 9 MB shared buffer struggles with microbursts in dense workloads.

​​Key Limitations​​:

• ​​No EVPN Support​​: Manual VXLAN configurations increase operational overhead.
• ​​Limited Telemetry​​: Lacks streaming telemetry for AIOps or predictive maintenance.

​​Personal Perspective: Is This Module Still a Viable Option?​​

The N560-4-F2B-AIR-V= is a ​​specialized tool for enterprises tethered to legacy infrastructure​​. For industries like broadcast media or industrial automation—where hardware swaps disrupt validated workflows—it offers temporary stability. However, the ​​hidden costs​​ of power inefficiency, technical debt, and scalability limits often eclipse short-term savings. Modern data centers prioritizing agility should transition to cloud-managed Nexus 9000 or Meraki platforms, which integrate automation and AI-driven analytics. Clinging to deprecated hardware isn’t just nostalgia—it’s a strategic liability in an era where innovation defines market survival.