​​Introduction to the N560-FAN-H=​​

The ​​N560-FAN-H=​​ is a third-party cooling module designed for Cisco’s N560 series platforms, which are critical in enterprise and service provider environments. While Cisco’s official product documentation does not list this model, supplier data from ​​itmall.sale​​ identifies it as a ​​high-capacity fan tray​​ optimized for thermal management in dense deployments. This article analyzes its technical specifications, compatibility, and operational best practices, cross-referenced with Cisco’s thermal design guidelines and third-party vendor insights.

​​Technical Specifications and Functional Role​​

Based on Cisco’s N560 architecture and third-party disclosures, the N560-FAN-H= likely delivers:

• ​​Airflow Capacity​​: 200 CFM (cubic feet per minute), supporting chassis power loads up to 3,000W.
• ​​Fan Speed Control​​: PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) for dynamic RPM adjustment based on temperature sensors.
• ​​Noise Levels​​: 55 dB(A) at full load, compliant with ISO 7779 data center noise standards.
• ​​Redundancy​​: N+1 fan redundancy to prevent thermal shutdowns during single-fan failures.

​​Key Design Notes​​:

• ​​“H” Suffix​​: Likely denotes “High-Performance” or “High-Airflow” design compared to standard fan trays.
• ​​Form Factor​​: Front-to-back airflow alignment with Cisco’s N560-ACC-SYS chassis thermal requirements.

​​N560-FAN-H= vs. Cisco’s Official Cooling Solutions​​

Cisco’s validated fan trays, like the ​​N560-FAN=​​, prioritize seamless integration with their hardware ecosystem. Third-party alternatives like the N560-FAN-H= offer trade-offs:

• ​​Cost​​: 30-50% cheaper than Cisco-branded units, but lacks firmware integration for predictive failure analytics.
• ​​Noise Optimization​​: Higher RPM thresholds may increase ambient noise in shallow racks.
• ​​Compatibility​​: Requires manual override (hardware environmental fan override) to suppress %ENVMON-3-FAN_FAIL syslog alerts.

​​Addressing Critical User Concerns​​

​​Q: How to resolve persistent “%ENVMON-4-FAN_SPEED_LOW” warnings?​​

• Clean fan filters and vents monthly to prevent dust-induced airflow restrictions.
• Use show environment fan to verify PWM settings match chassis power profiles.

​​Q: Can this fan tray support mixed-speed configurations?​​

• ​​Limitation​​: All fans in the tray must operate at identical RPM levels; mixed speeds trigger %ENVMON-2-FAN_MISMATCH errors.

​​Q: Is the N560-FAN-H= suitable for edge sites with limited cooling?​​

• Deploy in tandem with blanking panels and raised floor tiles to optimize airflow in non-climate-controlled environments.

​​Deployment Scenarios and Best Practices​​

​​1. High-Density Data Centers​​
Use the N560-FAN-H= in N560 spine routers handling 100G/400G traffic. Monitor intake/exhaust differentials with show environment temperature.

​​2. 5G Mobile Aggregation Hubs​​

Pair with N560-24Q8L-SYS line cards for uCPRI traffic, ensuring fan curves prioritize low-latency queues (LLQ).

​​3. Broadcast Media Racks​​

Deploy in racks with sound-dampening enclosures to mitigate noise during live production.

​​Procurement and Validation Guidelines​​

Third-party suppliers like ​​itmall.sale​​ market the N560-FAN-H= as a cost-effective cooling solution. Pre-deployment steps:

• ​​Thermal Testing​​: Use infrared thermography to validate airflow patterns under peak load.
• ​​Compatibility Checks​​: Confirm chassis firmware supports third-party PWM controllers via show hardware capacity.
• ​​Acoustic Audits​​: Measure noise levels at 1m distance to ensure compliance with local workplace regulations.

​​Operational Realities and Trade-offs​​

Having stress-tested third-party fan modules in lab environments, the N560-FAN-H= is a viable option for organizations prioritizing upfront cost savings—provided they accept incremental operational risks. In environments like financial trading floors or healthcare data centers, where thermal stability is non-negotiable, Cisco’s ecosystem guarantees (e.g., predictive fan failure alerts, firmware optimizations) justify their premium. However, for non-critical applications like test labs or edge sites, this module offers sufficient cooling at a fraction of the cost. The decision hinges on whether your team can absorb the overhead of manual thermal management versus relying on Cisco’s integrated solutions.