The Cisco N5K-C5596UP-FA Nexus 5596UP Unified Fabric Switch is a high-performance data center networking platform designed for enterprise data centers, cloud infrastructure, server virtualization, storage networking, and high-speed network aggregation. Featuring 48 unified ports and three expansion slots, the switch provides scalable connectivity for converged LAN and SAN environments.
The 48 unified ports support flexible configurations for 1/10 Gigabit Ethernet, native Fibre Channel, and Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE), enabling organizations to consolidate data and storage traffic on a common networking platform. This Unified Fabric architecture helps simplify data center infrastructure while providing the flexibility required for evolving server, storage, and application environments.
Delivering up to 1.92 Tbps of switching capacity, the Cisco Nexus 5596UP provides wire-speed, ultra-low-latency performance for bandwidth-intensive and latency-sensitive workloads. Its three expansion slots support compatible Cisco Nexus 5500 Series expansion modules, allowing organizations to increase port density and add network capabilities as infrastructure requirements grow.
Powered by Cisco NX-OS, the N5K-C5596UP-FA supports advanced data center networking capabilities including Virtual PortChannel (vPC), PortChannel, LACP, VLANs, Data Center Bridging, lossless Ethernet, advanced QoS, and secure network management. Layer 3 routing capabilities are also available with compatible expansion modules, software, and configurations.
The switch supports Cisco Nexus 2000 Series Fabric Extenders, providing scalable server access connectivity and simplified management for high-density data center environments. Its front-to-back airflow is designed for compatible data center cooling architectures, while redundant hot-swappable power supplies and fan modules help improve system availability and simplify maintenance.
Housed in a 2U rack-mountable form factor, the Cisco N5K-C5596UP-FA Nexus 5596UP 48-Port Unified Fabric Switch combines Ethernet and storage networking with high performance, modular scalability, and enterprise-grade reliability.
Ideal for enterprise data centers, cloud computing, server virtualization, storage networking, Top-of-Rack deployments, and high-speed network aggregation, the Cisco N5K-C5596UP-FA delivers a flexible and scalable Unified Fabric solution for modern data center infrastructure.
Product Specifications – Cisco N5K-C5596UP-FA Nexus 5596UP 48-Port Unified Fabric Data Center Switch with Front-to-Back Airflow
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| Specification |
Details |
| Product Name |
Cisco N5K-C5596UP-FA Nexus 5596UP Unified Fabric Switch |
| Manufacturer |
Cisco Systems |
| Part Number |
N5K-C5596UP-FA |
| Product Series |
Cisco Nexus 5000 Series |
| Product Family |
Cisco Nexus 5596UP |
| Product Type |
Managed Unified Fabric Data Center Switch |
| Fixed Port Configuration |
48 × Unified Ports |
| Unified Port Speed |
1/10 Gigabit Ethernet and Fibre Channel Speeds |
| Ethernet Support |
1 Gigabit Ethernet and 10 Gigabit Ethernet |
| Fibre Channel Support |
Native Fibre Channel |
| FCoE Support |
Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) |
| Interface Type |
Unified SFP/SFP+ Based Ports |
| Unified Port Functionality |
Configurable for Ethernet or Fibre Channel Connectivity |
| Expansion Slots |
3 |
| Expansion Module Support |
Supports Compatible Cisco Nexus 5500 Series Expansion Modules |
| Maximum Port Density |
Dependent on Installed Expansion Modules |
| Switching Capacity |
Up to 1.92 Tbps |
| Forwarding Performance |
Wire-Speed, Low-Latency Switching |
| Latency |
Ultra-Low-Latency Architecture |
| Layer Support |
Layer 2; Layer 3 with Compatible Expansion Module and Software |
| Operating System |
Cisco NX-OS |
| Unified Fabric Support |
Yes |
| Data Center Bridging |
Supported |
| Lossless Ethernet |
Supported |
| VLAN Support |
Yes |
| IPv4 Support |
Supported |
| IPv6 Support |
Supported |
| Layer 3 Routing |
Supported with Compatible Layer 3 Module and Software |
| Routing Protocols |
Platform, Module and NX-OS Release Dependent |
| Fibre Channel Switching |
Supported |
| SAN Connectivity |
Supported |
| FCoE Bridging |
Supported |
| Virtual PortChannel (vPC) |
Supported |
| Link Aggregation |
PortChannel / LACP Support |
| Quality of Service (QoS) |
Advanced Data Center QoS |
| Jumbo Frames |
Supported |
| Security Features |
ACLs, Port Security and Secure Management Features |
| Network Virtualization |
Supports Data Center Virtualization Features |
| Fabric Extender Support |
Cisco Nexus 2000 Series Fabric Extender Support |
| Management |
CLI, SNMP and Cisco NX-OS Management Tools |
| Automation & Programmability |
Cisco NX-OS Management and Automation Capabilities |
| High Availability |
Redundant Power Supplies and Fan Modules |
| Power Supply |
Redundant Hot-Swappable Power Supply Support |
| Cooling |
Redundant Hot-Swappable Fan Modules |
| Airflow |
Front-to-Back |
| Hot-Swappable Components |
Power Supplies, Fan Modules and Supported Expansion Modules |
| Form Factor |
2U Rack-Mountable |
| Rack Space |
2 Rack Units (2RU) |
| Deployment Type |
Top-of-Rack, End-of-Row and Data Center Aggregation |
| Application |
Data, Storage and Unified Fabric Networking |
| Reliability |
Enterprise and Data Center Grade |
| Condition |
Refurbished |
| Use Cases |
Enterprise Data Centers, Cloud Infrastructure, Server Virtualization, Storage Networking, Top-of-Rack Deployments, High-Speed Network Aggregation |
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FAQs
Q1. How many ports does the N5K-C5596UP-FA provide?
It includes 48 unified ports supporting 1/10 Gigabit Ethernet, Fibre Channel, and Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE).
Q2. Does this switch support expansion modules?
Yes. It includes three expansion slots that allow additional Ethernet, Fibre Channel, or unified fabric connectivity.
Q3. Which operating system does the switch use?
The Nexus 5596UP runs Cisco NX-OS, providing advanced Layer 2 and Layer 3 networking features.
Q4. Is this switch suitable for virtualization and cloud environments?
Yes. It is optimized for virtualized data centers, cloud infrastructure, and unified fabric deployments requiring high bandwidth and low latency.
Q5. What makes the Nexus 5596UP a unified fabric switch?
Its unified ports can be configured for Ethernet, Fibre Channel, or FCoE, allowing both LAN and SAN traffic to run on a single switching platform.
