N5K-C5548UPM-B-S48 Cisco Nexus 5548UP Storage Solutions Bundle

Cisco N5K-C5548UPM-B-S48 48 Ports Managed Switch Overview

The Cisco N5K-C5548UPM-B-S48 is a high-performance managed switch designed for enterprise and data center storage networks. It features 48 SFP+ ports and advanced management capabilities, providing robust connectivity and seamless network operations.

Key Product Details

• Manufacturer: Cisco
• SKU / Part Number: N5K-C5548UPM-B-S48
• Device Type: Managed Switch
• Port Count: 48 SFP+ ports
• Form Factor: 1U rack-mountable

Technical Specifications

Network Interfaces & Connectivity

• 48 SFP+ high-speed ports for 10 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity
• 1 x 1000Base-T RJ-45 management port
• 1 x Console management port for direct configuration
• Included Transceivers: 8x Cisco MDS 9000 Family Fibre Channel SFP+ (2/4/8-Gbps)

Performance & Capacity

• Forwarding throughput up to 960 Gbps
• Supports MAC Address Table of 32K entries
• Jumbo frame support up to 9216 bytes for large data transfers

Advanced Management & Security Features

Remote Management

• Supports SNMP v1, v2, v3, RMON, Telnet, SSH-2, and CLI for efficient network monitoring
• Remote authentication through RADIUS, TACACS+, MS-CHAP, and secure SSH2 sessions
• AES encryption for secure communications

Traffic Control & Layer 2 Switching

• Advanced ARP and VLAN support for flexible network segmentation
• Multiple Spanning Tree Protocol (MSTP) for redundancy and loop prevention
• Weighted Round Robin (WRR) queuing for optimized traffic prioritization
• Storm control to manage broadcast, multicast, and unicast traffic efficiently
• Access Control Lists (ACL) and DHCP snooping for network security enforcement
• Quality of Service (QoS) capabilities to prioritize critical network traffic

Scalability & Expansion

• Single expansion slot for additional modules or upgrades
• Redundant power support with 1+1 configuration for maximum uptime

Environmental & Operational Parameters

• Operating temperature up to 104°F
• Humidity tolerance: 5 – 95% non-condensing
• Storage temperature range: -40°F to 158°F
• Internal hot-plug power supply with dual units installed
• Voltage compatibility: AC 120/230 V, 50/60 Hz
• Power consumption: 600 Watts during operation

Cisco N5K-C5548UPM-B-S48 Nexus 5548UP

The Cisco N5K-C5548UPM-B-S48 Nexus 5548UP Storage Solutions Bundle is a high-performance, enterprise-grade managed switch designed to optimize data center networking and storage solutions. With 48 SFP+ ports, this switch is specifically engineered to provide unparalleled bandwidth, scalability, and reliability for mission-critical applications. Its robust architecture ensures seamless integration into existing Cisco Nexus environments while delivering advanced Layer 2 and Layer 3 features that facilitate data center automation and efficient traffic management.

High-Density 48 SFP+ Ports for Storage Networking

The Nexus 5548UPM-B-S48 is equipped with 48 SFP+ ports, making it ideal for high-density storage area network (SAN) configurations. Each SFP+ port supports 10 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity, enabling rapid data transfer rates for storage-intensive applications. This density allows organizations to consolidate server-to-storage connections efficiently, reducing the overall footprint of networking hardware in the data center while maintaining high availability and low latency performance.

Unified Port Capabilities

One of the key advantages of the Nexus 5548UPM-B-S48 is its unified port design, which allows administrators to configure each port for either Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) or standard Ethernet traffic. This flexibility simplifies SAN and LAN convergence, streamlines cabling, and reduces operational complexity. By consolidating multiple network types onto a single infrastructure, organizations can lower capital expenditures and simplify management tasks without compromising performance or reliability.

Enhanced Bandwidth for Storage-Intensive Applications

The 48 SFP+ ports of the Nexus 5548UPM-B-S48 support high-bandwidth applications such as virtualization, backup, disaster recovery, and big data analytics. With multi-gigabit throughput and low-latency switching, this solution ensures that storage and server workloads operate efficiently, minimizing bottlenecks and improving overall data center responsiveness. The high-performance architecture also supports data center bridging (DCB) and priority flow control (PFC), which are critical for lossless Ethernet transport in storage networks.

Advanced Management Features

The Cisco Nexus 5548UPM-B-S48 offers a wide array of management features designed to simplify operations and maximize uptime. With Cisco’s NX-OS software, administrators can leverage a consistent, programmable operating system that supports advanced automation, monitoring, and troubleshooting capabilities. Key management functionalities include virtual device contexts (VDCs), quality of service (QoS) policies, and extensive telemetry for real-time performance monitoring.

Virtual Device Contexts (VDCs) for Resource Segmentation

VDCs allow multiple logical switches to operate independently within a single physical chassis. This feature is essential for large enterprises and cloud service providers that need to segment resources securely for different tenants, departments, or applications. By creating separate logical partitions, organizations can isolate network traffic, apply specific policies, and ensure that critical workloads receive dedicated resources, enhancing security and operational efficiency.

Comprehensive Quality of Service (QoS)

Quality of Service is a crucial component in storage networking, where predictable performance is essential for applications such as database management and virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI). The Nexus 5548UPM-B-S48 provides robust QoS features that prioritize storage traffic over less critical data, ensuring low-latency access and high reliability. Administrators can configure hierarchical QoS policies, rate limiting, and traffic shaping to optimize network utilization and avoid congestion during peak workloads.

Layer 2 and Layer 3 Capabilities

Designed as a versatile data center switch, the Nexus 5548UPM-B-S48 supports both Layer 2 and Layer 3 protocols, enabling seamless integration into complex network topologies. Layer 2 features include VLAN segmentation, spanning tree protocol (STP), and virtual port channels (vPCs) for link redundancy and load balancing. Layer 3 routing capabilities, such as OSPF, BGP, and static routing, allow for efficient inter-VLAN communication and multi-site connectivity.

Virtual Port Channels (vPC) for High Availability

vPC technology provides redundant, loop-free paths across the network by allowing multiple physical switches to appear as a single logical device. This capability enhances resilience and load balancing while preventing network outages caused by single points of failure. By implementing vPCs, organizations can achieve uninterrupted access to storage and compute resources, maintaining consistent performance even during maintenance or hardware failures.

Scalable Layer 3 Routing

The Nexus 5548UPM-B-S48 is equipped with advanced Layer 3 routing features that support both static and dynamic protocols. Enterprises can leverage OSPF and BGP for scalable network architectures, ensuring optimal path selection and efficient traffic distribution across the data center. These capabilities are particularly important for multi-site storage deployments and hybrid cloud environments, where efficient routing and minimal latency are critical for business continuity.

Storage Networking Optimization

The Nexus 5548UPM-B-S48 excels in storage networking by offering features specifically designed to enhance SAN performance. It supports Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE), allowing organizations to converge SAN and LAN traffic onto a single Ethernet fabric. This consolidation reduces cabling complexity, lowers operational costs, and simplifies network management. Additionally, the switch’s lossless Ethernet capabilities ensure reliable storage communication, preventing packet loss and maintaining consistent application performance.

Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE)

FCoE is a critical protocol for data center environments where storage and network convergence is desired. By encapsulating Fibre Channel frames over Ethernet, the Nexus 5548UPM-B-S48 enables a unified fabric that supports both IP-based and storage traffic. This approach minimizes infrastructure requirements, streamlines operations, and supports high-speed, low-latency communication for storage-intensive applications. FCoE also facilitates integration with existing SAN environments, enabling gradual migration to converged networking architectures.

Data Center Bridging (DCB) for Lossless Ethernet

DCB is a suite of Ethernet enhancements that ensure lossless transport of storage traffic over Ethernet networks. The Nexus 5548UPM-B-S48 fully supports DCB features such as priority flow control (PFC), enhanced transmission selection (ETS), and congestion notification (CN). These technologies prevent packet loss, maintain high throughput, and guarantee predictable latency, which is essential for SAN and mission-critical workloads. DCB allows organizations to deploy converged networks without sacrificing reliability or performance.

Integration with Cisco Ecosystem

The Nexus 5548UPM-B-S48 is part of the Cisco Nexus family, ensuring seamless compatibility with other Cisco networking and storage solutions. Its integration capabilities include support for Cisco UCS servers, MDS storage switches, and ACI (Application Centric Infrastructure) for policy-driven automation. This compatibility allows organizations to build cohesive, high-performance data center environments with consistent management and operational efficiency.

Cisco UCS Integration

When paired with Cisco UCS servers, the Nexus 5548UPM-B-S48 delivers optimized connectivity for virtualized workloads and storage access. UCS integration allows administrators to leverage unified management tools, automate provisioning, and enforce consistent policies across compute, network, and storage resources. This synergy improves operational efficiency, reduces configuration errors, and accelerates deployment timelines for enterprise applications.

Application-Centric Infrastructure (ACI) Support

The switch is ACI-ready, meaning it can participate in Cisco’s policy-driven network architecture for data centers. ACI enables automated provisioning, network segmentation, and dynamic workload placement based on business requirements. By using ACI, organizations can achieve a highly flexible, software-defined network that adapts to changing storage and compute needs while maintaining security, compliance, and high availability.

Security Features

Security is a fundamental aspect of data center networking, and the Nexus 5548UPM-B-S48 provides multiple layers of protection to safeguard sensitive data. The switch supports access control lists (ACLs), role-based access control (RBAC), and port security to prevent unauthorized access and mitigate threats. Additionally, it integrates with Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) for centralized authentication, authorization, and policy enforcement, ensuring secure connectivity across the network.

Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)

RBAC allows administrators to define granular permissions based on user roles. This feature ensures that only authorized personnel can configure, monitor, or manage specific aspects of the switch. RBAC enhances operational security, reduces the risk of misconfigurations, and provides detailed audit trails for compliance purposes, making it suitable for regulated industries and enterprise data centers.

Network Access Control and ACLs

Access control lists provide an additional layer of security by filtering traffic based on IP addresses, protocols, and ports. Combined with network access control mechanisms, ACLs help enforce security policies at the edge and core of the network. The Nexus 5548UPM-B-S48 supports flexible ACL configurations that allow organizations to segment traffic, protect sensitive storage environments, and prevent unauthorized access to critical resources.

Scalability and Future-Proofing

The Cisco Nexus 5548UPM-B-S48 is built to accommodate growing data center demands. Its modular design, high port density, and support for advanced protocols ensure that organizations can scale their network infrastructure without costly overhauls. The switch also supports future upgrades in software and hardware, making it a long-term investment for enterprise storage and networking needs.

Modular Uplink Options

The switch provides flexible uplink options for connecting to core routers, aggregation layers, or additional Nexus switches. These uplinks support various speeds and interfaces, allowing for seamless expansion and integration with evolving network topologies. By providing modular uplink capabilities, the Nexus 5548UPM-B-S48 ensures future-proof connectivity for growing storage and compute requirements.

Software Upgrades and Enhancements

Running Cisco NX-OS, the Nexus 5548UPM-B-S48 supports software upgrades that add new features, improve performance, and enhance security. Administrators can leverage in-service software upgrades (ISSU) to apply updates without downtime, maintaining continuous operation of critical storage and network workloads. This capability is essential for enterprises requiring high availability and minimal service interruptions.

Energy Efficiency and Operational Cost Savings

In addition to performance and scalability, the Nexus 5548UPM-B-S48 is designed for energy efficiency. Its low-power architecture, efficient cooling systems, and support for energy-aware management practices reduce operational costs while minimizing the environmental footprint. By optimizing power consumption, organizations can achieve cost-effective operations without compromising network reliability or performance.

Optimized Cooling Design

The switch incorporates advanced cooling technologies that direct airflow efficiently through the chassis. This design reduces the need for additional cooling infrastructure, lowers energy usage, and extends the lifespan of components. Optimized cooling is particularly important in dense data center environments where heat management is critical for equipment reliability.

Power Efficiency Features

Features such as variable-speed fans, power redundancy, and energy-aware Ethernet interfaces contribute to the overall energy efficiency of the Nexus 5548UPM-B-S48. These capabilities enable organizations to maintain high-performance networking while reducing electricity costs and environmental impact, aligning with green IT initiatives and corporate sustainability goals.