The Cisco N55-D160L3-V2 Layer 3 Daughter Card is a high-performance expansion module designed to enhance the routing capabilities of Cisco Nexus 5548UP and Nexus 5548P Series switches. Delivering up to 160 Gbps of hardware-based Layer 3 forwarding, this field-upgradable module enables wire-speed IP routing for enterprise data centers, cloud infrastructure, and virtualized network environments.
Designed for organizations that require advanced Layer 3 functionality without replacing existing hardware, the N55-D160L3-V2 transforms compatible Cisco Nexus 5548 switches into powerful routing platforms. Its hardware-based forwarding architecture delivers low-latency packet processing while maintaining consistent performance for bandwidth-intensive applications and mission-critical workloads.
Running on Cisco NX-OS, the daughter card supports comprehensive Layer 3 networking features including IPv4 and IPv6 routing, OSPF, BGP, EIGRP, RIP, IS-IS, PIM, VRF, Equal-Cost Multipath (ECMP), multicast routing, and Virtual PortChannel (vPC), depending on the installed software version and license. These capabilities provide the flexibility required to build scalable and resilient enterprise and cloud networks.
The module also supports advanced data center technologies such as Cisco FabricPath, Data Center Bridging (DCB), Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE), hardware-based Access Control Lists (ACLs), Quality of Service (QoS), and jumbo frames, enabling seamless integration into converged data center infrastructures.
Its field-upgradable plug-in design allows organizations to expand Layer 3 services without replacing the switch, protecting existing infrastructure investments while simplifying network upgrades. The module integrates directly with the host switch, utilizing its power and cooling systems for efficient deployment and operation.
Ideal for enterprise data centers, Layer 3 routing, cloud infrastructure, virtualized environments, network aggregation, and high-speed traffic forwarding, the Cisco N55-D160L3-V2 Layer 3 Daughter Card delivers scalable routing performance, advanced IP services, and enterprise-class reliability for Cisco Nexus 5548 Series switches.
Product Specifications - Cisco N55-D160L3-V2 Layer 3 Daughter Card for Nexus 5548 Series Switches
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| Specification |
Details |
| Product Name |
Cisco N55-D160L3-V2 Layer 3 Daughter Card |
| Manufacturer |
Cisco Systems |
| Part Number |
N55-D160L3-V2 |
| Product Series |
Cisco Nexus 5000 Series |
| Compatible Platform |
Cisco Nexus 5548UP and Nexus 5548P Series Switches |
| Product Type |
Layer 3 Daughter Card |
| Module Type |
Plug-in Daughter Card |
| Primary Function |
Layer 3 Routing Expansion Module |
| Forwarding Capacity |
Up to 160 Gbps |
| Routing Performance |
Wire-Speed Layer 3 Packet Forwarding |
| Architecture |
Hardware-Based Layer 3 Routing Engine |
| Layer Support |
Layer 2 and Layer 3 |
| IPv4 Routing |
Supported |
| IPv6 Routing |
Supported |
| Static Routing |
Supported |
| Dynamic Routing Protocols |
OSPF, BGP, EIGRP, RIP, PIM and IS-IS (Cisco NX-OS Feature and License Dependent) |
| Multicast Routing |
Supported |
| VRF Support |
Supported |
| Equal-Cost Multipath (ECMP) |
Supported |
| Virtual PortChannel (vPC) |
Supported |
| VXLAN Support |
Platform and NX-OS Version Dependent |
| Quality of Service (QoS) |
Hardware-Based QoS and Traffic Prioritization |
| Access Control Lists (ACLs) |
Hardware-Based ACL Processing |
| Jumbo Frame Support |
Supported |
| Cisco Fabric Services |
Supported |
| Cisco FabricPath |
Supported (Platform and Software Dependent) |
| Data Center Bridging (DCB) |
Supported |
| Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) |
Supported Through Compatible Nexus Platforms |
| Operating System |
Cisco NX-OS |
| Installation Type |
Field-Upgradable Plug-in Daughter Card |
| Hot-Swappable |
Installation Requires Planned Maintenance |
| Management |
Managed Through Cisco NX-OS |
| Power Source |
Powered by the Host Switch |
| Cooling |
Chassis-Based Cooling |
| Form Factor |
Internal Daughter Card |
| Reliability |
Enterprise-Class Data Center Grade |
| Deployment Type |
Enterprise Data Centers, Cloud Infrastructure and Virtualized Networks |
| Application |
High-Speed Layer 3 Routing and Data Center Aggregation |
| Condition |
Refurbished |
| Use Cases |
Data Center Networking, Enterprise Layer 3 Routing, Cloud Infrastructure, Network Infrastructure Upgrades, High-Speed Traffic Forwarding, Virtualized Environments |
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FAQs
Q1. Which switches are compatible with the N55-D160L3-V2?
The daughter card is designed specifically for Cisco Nexus 5548 Series switches.
Q2. What is the forwarding capacity of the N55-D160L3-V2?
It delivers up to 160 Gbps of Layer 3 forwarding performance for high-speed network traffic.
Q3. Can this daughter card be installed after the switch is deployed?
Yes. It is field-upgradable, allowing Layer 3 functionality to be added without replacing the existing switch.
Q4. What is the primary purpose of the N55-D160L3-V2?
It adds advanced Layer 3 routing capabilities and high-performance IP forwarding to compatible Cisco Nexus 5548 switches.
Q5. What environments is the N55-D160L3-V2 best suited for?
It is ideal for enterprise data centers, cloud infrastructure, virtualization platforms, and high-performance network deployments requiring scalable Layer 3 services.
