N5K-C5548UP-B-S32 Cisco Managed Switch - 32 Ports

Cisco N5K-C5548UP-B-S32 32-Port Managed Switch Overview

Discover the high-performance Cisco N5K-C5548UP-B-S32 Nexus switch, designed to deliver robust connectivity and advanced network management for enterprise environments.

Key Product Details

• Manufacturer: Cisco
• Model Number: N5K-C5548UP-B-S32
• Product Type: Managed Network Switch
• Ports: 32 SFP+ for 10 Gigabit Ethernet
• Form Factor: 1U Rack-Mountable

Technical Specifications

Port Configuration & Performance

• 32 SFP+ interfaces supporting 10GbE connections
• Forwarding bandwidth up to 960 Gbps
• MAC address table capacity: 32,000 entries
• Jumbo frame support up to 9216 bytes for high-efficiency data transfers

Management & Security Features

• Remote management via SNMP (v1, v2, v3), RMON, Telnet, SSH-2, and CLI
• Enhanced AES encryption for secure communication
• Authentication support including RADIUS, TACACS+, and MS-CHAP

Advanced Networking Capabilities

Layer 2 Switching & VLAN Support

• Comprehensive Layer 2 switching functionalities
• VLAN implementation for network segmentation and isolation
• Multiple Spanning Tree Protocol (MSTP) for redundancy
• Rapid Per-VLAN Spanning Tree Plus (RPVST+) for fast convergence

Traffic Management & Quality of Service

• QoS prioritization to optimize critical traffic flows
• Weighted Round Robin (WRR) queuing for balanced bandwidth distribution
• Broadcast, multicast, and unicast storm control
• Access Control Lists (ACLs) for granular security and traffic control

Compliance & Standards

• IEEE 802.3, 802.1D, 802.1Q, 802.3x, 802.3ad (LACP), 802.1w, 802.3ae, 802.1s, 802.1p

Memory & Storage

• 8 GB RAM ensuring smooth operations
• 2 GB Flash memory for configuration and firmware storage

Environmental & Operating Conditions

• Operating Temperature: 0°C to 40°C (32°F to 104°F)
• Operating Humidity: 5% to 95% non-condensing
• Storage Temperature: 40°C to 70°C (104°F to 158°F)

Power & Redundancy

• Dual hot-swappable power supplies for uninterrupted operation
• Power consumption: 600 watts during full load
• Supports both 120V and 230V AC input voltages

Reliability & Longevity

• Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF): 98,335 hours
• Engineered for high durability and continuous enterprise usage

Cisco N5K-C5548UP-B-S32 Nexus Managed Switch

The Cisco N5K-C5548UP-B-S32 Nexus 32 Ports Managed Switch represents a high-performance, enterprise-grade network switch designed to deliver exceptional scalability, reliability, and management efficiency. Part of Cisco’s Nexus 5000 Series, this switch is engineered for data center environments where low latency, high throughput, and advanced virtualization capabilities are essential. With 32 managed ports supporting both 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GbE) and Unified Ports, it allows network administrators to consolidate multiple types of traffic, including LAN, SAN, and FCoE, into a single, highly efficient infrastructure.

Key Features of Cisco N5K-C5548UP-B-S32

The Cisco N5K-C5548UP-B-S32 switch boasts a comprehensive set of features that make it a critical component for modern data centers. Its 32 high-speed ports provide the flexibility to handle various network workloads, while its advanced Layer 2 and Layer 3 capabilities ensure efficient routing and switching across the enterprise network. Additionally, it supports Cisco's Virtual Port Channel (vPC) technology, enabling link aggregation across multiple switches for redundancy and optimized load balancing.

High-Density 32-Port Configuration

This switch is configured with 32 unified ports, providing an optimal balance between port density and performance. Each port supports a range of Ethernet speeds, ensuring compatibility with both legacy and modern network devices. The high-density layout reduces rack space requirements while delivering maximum throughput, making it ideal for environments where space optimization is critical.

Unified Port Architecture

With Cisco’s Unified Port technology, the N5K-C5548UP-B-S32 allows administrators to configure each port as Ethernet, Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE), or native Fibre Channel. This versatility simplifies the deployment of converged networks, allowing organizations to reduce the complexity of their cabling infrastructure and minimize operational costs. Unified Ports also support lossless Ethernet, essential for storage traffic and latency-sensitive applications.

Advanced Layer 2 and Layer 3 Functionality

The Cisco Nexus 5548UP provides advanced Layer 2 switching features such as VLAN segmentation, Spanning Tree Protocol (STP), and private VLANs, enhancing network security and segmentation. On the Layer 3 front, it supports routing protocols including OSPF, EIGRP, BGP, and static routing, enabling seamless integration into complex, multi-tier network architectures. The combination of these capabilities ensures efficient packet forwarding and optimal utilization of network resources.

VLAN and Traffic Segmentation

VLAN support on the N5K-C5548UP-B-S32 allows for logical segmentation of network traffic, providing security isolation for sensitive data and improving overall network performance. This switch supports VLAN trunking, which simplifies network management and allows multiple VLANs to traverse a single physical link, reducing cabling complexity and enhancing network efficiency.

Dynamic Routing Support

Dynamic routing protocols on the Cisco Nexus 5548UP ensure that the network can adapt to changes in topology automatically. OSPF and EIGRP provide fast convergence and scalability for medium to large enterprise networks, while BGP support enables inter-domain routing and connectivity with external networks. These capabilities make the N5K-C5548UP-B-S32 suitable for both core and aggregation layer deployments in data center networks.

High Availability and Redundancy

Reliability is a cornerstone of the Cisco Nexus 5548UP design. The switch incorporates redundant power supplies and fan modules to ensure continuous operation even in the event of component failure. Additionally, features such as Virtual Port Channel (vPC) and Multi-Chassis Link Aggregation (MLAG) provide link redundancy and prevent single points of failure, ensuring uninterrupted network availability for mission-critical applications.

Power Supply and Cooling Redundancy

The Cisco N5K-C5548UP-B-S32 is equipped with dual, hot-swappable power supplies and advanced cooling mechanisms. These redundant systems minimize the risk of downtime due to hardware failure or overheating, offering peace of mind for network administrators. The switch’s modular design allows for easy replacement or upgrade of components without disrupting network traffic.

Virtual Port Channel (vPC) Support

vPC technology enables two Nexus switches to appear as a single logical device to connected endpoints, allowing for active-active forwarding and load balancing. This reduces network congestion and ensures high availability. By eliminating Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) blocking in redundant links, vPC improves overall network efficiency and resilience.

Security and Compliance Features

Security is a critical consideration for modern enterprise networks, and the Cisco N5K-C5548UP-B-S32 offers robust security features to protect data and network infrastructure. It supports access control lists (ACLs), port security, and IEEE 802.1X authentication, providing granular control over network access. Additionally, the switch includes capabilities for secure management, such as SSH, SNMPv3, and role-based access control (RBAC).

Access Control and Policy Enforcement

With ACLs, network administrators can define precise policies to control the flow of traffic, blocking unauthorized access and mitigating potential threats. Port security enables the binding of specific MAC addresses to switch ports, preventing unauthorized devices from connecting to the network. Combined with 802.1X authentication, these measures ensure that only authorized users and devices can access sensitive resources.

Secure Management Protocols

The Nexus 5548UP supports encrypted management protocols like SSH and SNMPv3, ensuring that administrative communications are protected from eavesdropping and tampering. Role-based access control allows administrators to assign specific privileges to users, reducing the risk of accidental or malicious configuration changes. These features help maintain a secure and compliant data center environment.

Performance and Scalability

Designed for high-performance data centers, the Cisco N5K-C5548UP-B-S32 delivers low-latency switching and high throughput. Its architecture supports line-rate forwarding across all ports, ensuring that applications such as virtualization, cloud computing, and storage traffic operate without bottlenecks. The switch’s scalability features, including port expansion and fabric extension capabilities, make it suitable for growing enterprise networks.

Low Latency and High Throughput

The Nexus 5548UP is engineered to provide deterministic, low-latency performance, critical for applications like high-frequency trading, video streaming, and storage replication. Its high throughput ensures that multiple traffic types can coexist without congestion, supporting both north-south and east-west data center traffic patterns.

Scalable Network Architecture

With support for fabric extenders and modular stacking, the Cisco N5K-C5548UP-B-S32 can be integrated into larger network topologies, enabling seamless scaling as network demands grow. Administrators can add switches to the existing infrastructure without disrupting operations, providing flexibility for future expansion.

Virtualization and Cloud-Ready Features

The Cisco Nexus 5548UP is optimized for virtualized environments and cloud deployments. It supports features such as Virtual Device Contexts (VDCs) and Cisco FabricPath, allowing multiple logical switches to operate independently on the same physical hardware. This enhances operational efficiency and enables simplified management in multi-tenant environments.

Virtual Device Contexts (VDCs)

VDCs allow administrators to partition a single physical switch into multiple virtual switches, each with its own management and policy settings. This is ideal for service providers or large enterprises that need to isolate traffic between departments or tenants, ensuring security and resource allocation without additional hardware investment.

FabricPath Technology

FabricPath simplifies data center network topology by combining Layer 2 switching with Layer 3 routing capabilities. It allows for multipath forwarding, eliminating Spanning Tree Protocol limitations and increasing bandwidth utilization. This makes the Cisco N5K-C5548UP-B-S32 particularly suitable for cloud-scale environments where agility and resilience are paramount.

Energy Efficiency and Environmental Considerations

The Cisco Nexus 5548UP is designed with energy efficiency in mind, incorporating features that reduce power consumption without compromising performance. It includes advanced cooling systems, energy-efficient power supplies, and intelligent port management to optimize energy use in data center environments. These features contribute to lower operational costs and support corporate sustainability initiatives.

Power Management and Efficiency

Intelligent power management allows administrators to monitor and optimize the energy usage of the switch. Features like Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE) reduce power consumption on idle ports, while fan speed optimization minimizes cooling energy requirements. The result is a high-performance switch that is both cost-effective and environmentally responsible.

Environmental Compliance

The Cisco N5K-C5548UP-B-S32 adheres to industry standards for environmental safety and energy efficiency, including RoHS and ENERGY STAR guidelines. This ensures that the switch not only meets regulatory requirements but also supports an organization’s sustainability goals, reducing the environmental impact of large-scale data center operations.

Deployment Scenarios and Use Cases

The Cisco N5K-C5548UP-B-S32 is ideal for deployment in enterprise data centers, campus core networks, and high-performance computing clusters. Its combination of high port density, advanced Layer 2/3 capabilities, and unified port architecture makes it suitable for a variety of use cases, including server virtualization, storage consolidation, and cloud-ready network environments.

Data Center Core and Aggregation Layer

At the core or aggregation layer of a data center, the N5K-C5548UP-B-S32 delivers high-speed connectivity between access switches and servers, ensuring low-latency and reliable data transport. Its support for vPC and MLAG provides redundancy and load balancing, critical for maintaining uptime in enterprise-grade networks.

Server and Storage Consolidation

By leveraging Unified Port technology, the switch can simultaneously handle LAN and SAN traffic, reducing the need for separate networks and cabling. This convergence simplifies infrastructure, improves efficiency, and reduces operational costs. Enterprises can consolidate server and storage traffic over a single high-performance platform without compromising reliability or performance.

Cloud and Virtualized Environments

The Cisco Nexus 5548UP is optimized for virtualized and cloud-based infrastructures. Its support for VDCs, FabricPath, and automated provisioning tools allows administrators to efficiently manage multi-tenant environments and dynamically allocate network resources. This flexibility is essential for organizations looking to deploy scalable, cloud-ready architectures with minimal operational overhead.