I am often asked what is difference between Nexus 5548P and 5548UP switch? In this post i am going to explain the differences between these two and will also include 5596UP into the discussion.
First of all, all these 3 models are Nexus 5k Switches and basically 5500 series models.
"U" stands for "Unified" ports, so what does that "unified port" mean? Unified means a port is capable of running into either "Ethernet" or "FC" (Fibre Channel).
For those who are not aware of SAN protocols, i would like to inform you that term "Fibre" here does not mean the "Fiber" Media ( ie. copper vs fiber) which people refer in terms of cable, [ please note the difference in spelling, Fibre vs Fiber).
Fibre Channel or FC is a protocol stack in SAN, similar to what TCP/IP is to Networks. SAN switches run on FC protocol standards, not Ethernet or TCP/IP.(Just a highlevel overview)
So coming back to 5500 series models, all ports of 5548UP and 5596UP models of Nexus 5k, can be used in ether Ethernet or FC mode,however, ports on 5548P do not work in FC mode. But the ****important thing to note is that this difference is valid for "In-built fixed" ports only******. That means, both 5548P and 5548UP switch comes with 32-port "in-built"or Fixed ports, plus one expansion module capable of 16 ports.
So, basicaly 5548P support Unified Port (Ethernet or native FC ) on the expansion module only,however, in 5548UP, all ports are unified ports.
5596UP comes with built-in 48 Ports, plus we can use 3 expansion slots for additional ports depending on our requirement.
That was the main difference, other differences are:
- 5548P and UP switch are 1 RU,however, 5596 is 2 RU switch
-Switching capacity of 5548 series are 960Gbps ,however, 5596 is 1.92 Tbps
-5548P only supports front-back airflow,however, 5548UP and 5596 supports both front-back and back-front.
-a Seperate Layer 3 Daughter card can also be ordered/used to get 160 Gbps of Layer 3 routing capability in 5548P and 5548UP switches, however, 5596UP can support L3 routing engine through an Expansion Module.
First of all, all these 3 models are Nexus 5k Switches and basically 5500 series models.
"U" stands for "Unified" ports, so what does that "unified port" mean? Unified means a port is capable of running into either "Ethernet" or "FC" (Fibre Channel).
For those who are not aware of SAN protocols, i would like to inform you that term "Fibre" here does not mean the "Fiber" Media ( ie. copper vs fiber) which people refer in terms of cable, [ please note the difference in spelling, Fibre vs Fiber).
Fibre Channel or FC is a protocol stack in SAN, similar to what TCP/IP is to Networks. SAN switches run on FC protocol standards, not Ethernet or TCP/IP.(Just a highlevel overview)
So coming back to 5500 series models, all ports of 5548UP and 5596UP models of Nexus 5k, can be used in ether Ethernet or FC mode,however, ports on 5548P do not work in FC mode. But the ****important thing to note is that this difference is valid for "In-built fixed" ports only******. That means, both 5548P and 5548UP switch comes with 32-port "in-built"or Fixed ports, plus one expansion module capable of 16 ports.
So, basicaly 5548P support Unified Port (Ethernet or native FC ) on the expansion module only,however, in 5548UP, all ports are unified ports.
5596UP comes with built-in 48 Ports, plus we can use 3 expansion slots for additional ports depending on our requirement.
That was the main difference, other differences are:
- 5548P and UP switch are 1 RU,however, 5596 is 2 RU switch
-Switching capacity of 5548 series are 960Gbps ,however, 5596 is 1.92 Tbps
-5548P only supports front-back airflow,however, 5548UP and 5596 supports both front-back and back-front.
-a Seperate Layer 3 Daughter card can also be ordered/used to get 160 Gbps of Layer 3 routing capability in 5548P and 5548UP switches, however, 5596UP can support L3 routing engine through an Expansion Module.
Excellent...help me a lot. i was exactly looking for this comparision!!
ReplyDeleteGreat really helpful
ReplyDeleteVery good article. But I still can't see a reason for choosing the 5548P, if the UP has more capabilities and costs about the same price.
ReplyDeleteI am not sure if there is any difference in cost but may be 5548p came earlier and then they launched 5548UP later. we need to understand differences for supporting them if they are in the environment as we may end up trying non unified ports to use them as fc.
DeleteVijay,
ReplyDeleteThank you. You have save me from missing a some key points.