Cisco Nexus 5548P Datasheet page 11

Consistent management for Cisco products is provided through the consistency of both the Cisco NX-OS
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Software and Cisco MDS 9000 Software management models and tools. The switch platform's network
features can be managed using the Cisco command-line interface (CLI), and the Fibre Channel and FCoE
features can be managed through the Cisco Fabric Manager suite. Cisco Data Center Network Manager
(DCNM) also supports the Cisco Nexus 5500 platform. The capability to manage Ethernet and FCoE
features independently with existing Cisco tools preserves existing management models, best practices,
and investments in staff training.
In addition, Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) MIBs, XML, and the Cisco CLI are made
available to customers for switch management through third-party and custom-developed tools. The switch
platform uses Cisco NX-OS for superior operating efficiency, pervasive security, and continuous operation
even through software upgrades.
Software manageability and serviceability features include Smart Call Home and automated parameter
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exchange (through DCBX). Security is enhanced through role-based access control (RBAC); support for
authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA), remote TACACS+, and RADIUS servers; and Secure
Shell (SSH) access.
Applications
The Cisco Nexus 5500 platform supports a number of application scenarios, making the switches a versatile data
center option:
As access-layer switches, they can be used purely as 1 and 10 Gigabit Ethernet switches, consolidating
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10 Gigabit Ethernet connections into a smaller number of server connections trunked to the aggregation
layer.
In conjunction with the Cisco Nexus 2248TP GE Ethernet Fabric Extender, the Cisco Nexus 5500 platform
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can be used as a high-density 1 Gigabit Ethernet switching system, consolidating more than 900 Gigabit
Ethernet connections in a single management plane.
In conjunction with the Cisco Nexus 2232PP 10GE Fabric Extender, the Cisco Nexus 5500 platform can be
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used as a high-density 10 Gigabit Ethernet switching system, consolidating more than 600 10 Gigabit
Ethernet connections in a single management plane.
As a rack-level I/O consolidation platform, the switches carry Ethernet traffic from servers to the
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aggregation layer, and carry Fibre Channel traffic to existing Fibre Channel SANs.
As a crucial element in data center I/O consolidation, the switches enable I/O consolidation at the access
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layer and provide interoperability between the Cisco Nexus 5500 platform and other standards-based
products.
The capability of the Cisco Nexus 5500 platform to function in all these capacities helps protect investment in the
data center with a deployment model in which additional features can be enabled as they are needed.
Gigabit Ethernet and 10 Gigabit Ethernet Access-Layer Switch
The Cisco Nexus 5500 platform is designed with the density, performance, front-to-back or back-to-front cooling,
and rear data-port configuration that make it well suited for aggregating a large number of 10 Gigabit Ethernet
links either from servers or from other access-layer switches. The switch port density allows each switch to
support a single rack or neighboring racks using the SFP+ direct-attach 10 Gigabit copper cabling option. The
Cisco Nexus 5500 platform can also be purchased with only the Ethernet capabilities enabled, allowing IT
departments to deploy them in parallel with existing Fibre Channel SANs.
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