Description
The Cisco N5K-C5596T is a high-performance, compact 2RU switch designed for data center environments that demand low latency and high throughput. Built as part of the Nexus 5000 Series, this switch offers 48 fixed 10GBase-T Ethernet ports and three expansion module slots, allowing for flexible connectivity options including additional 10 Gigabit Ethernet, Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE), or 40 Gigabit Ethernet uplinks. Its front-to-back airflow design supports hot-aisle/cold-aisle data center cooling strategies, and dual redundant, hot-swappable power supplies ensure operational reliability. The chassis is constructed with enterprise-grade materials, making it suitable for long-term deployment in demanding network infrastructures.
Powered by the NX-OS operating system, the N5K-C5596T supports Layer 2 and Layer 3 switching, virtualization technologies like Cisco Adapter FEX and VM-FEX, and advanced network features such as QoS, ACLs, and multicast. With a switching capacity of up to 1.28 Tbps and support for up to 960 Mpps, it delivers robust performance for high-density server aggregation. Used models often come with pre-installed expansion modules, such as the N55-M16UP or N55-M8P8FP, adding versatility to legacy and modern network deployments. Ideal for organizations scaling their infrastructure on a budget, this switch provides enterprise-level capabilities at a fraction of the cost when purchased refurbished.