Cisco N2K-C2232TM-10GE 32 Ports Fabric Extender Expansion Refurbished

The N2K-C2232TM-10GE is a network device designed to expand and enhance networking capabilities. It offers 32 ports for 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GBase-T) connections along with 8 additional ports for 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GE) modules. This module is a part of the Nexus 2000 Series, specifically the 2232TM model, and it is intended to be mounted on a rack for convenient installation and use. In this detailed explanation, we will delve into the features, benefits, applications, and technical specifications of the N2K-C2232TM-10GE, catering to both technical and non-technical audiences alike.

10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GbE) is a high-speed networking technology that provides data transfer rates of up to 10 gigabits per second (Gbps). It operates over twisted-pair copper cabling, commonly referred to as 10GBase-T. This technology offers significantly faster data transmission compared to traditional Gigabit Ethernet, making it ideal for demanding applications such as data centers, cloud computing, high-performance computing (HPC), and virtualization.

The N2K-C2232TM-10GE boasts several key features that make it a valuable addition to any network infrastructure:

• 32 Ports for 10GBase-T: The module provides 32 ports that support 10 Gigabit Ethernet over twisted-pair copper cabling, allowing for high-speed connectivity to various devices within the network.
• 8x10GE Module Support: In addition to the 32 10GBase-T ports, the module also accommodates 8 additional ports for 10 Gigabit Ethernet modules, offering flexibility and scalability in network expansion.
• Compatibility with SFP+ Modules: The 8x10GE module requires Small Form-Factor Pluggable Plus (SFP+) modules for connectivity, enabling the use of fiber-optic cables for long-distance connections or specialized networking requirements.
• Rack-Mountable Design: The N2K-C2232TM-10GE is designed to be mounted on a standard network rack, facilitating easy installation and organization of networking equipment within data centers or server rooms.
• Fabric Extender Expansion Module: As part of the Nexus 2000 Series, this module serves as a fabric extender, allowing for the expansion of the network fabric and enhancing overall network performance and scalability.

The N2K-C2232TM-10GE offers several benefits to organizations seeking to optimize their network infrastructure:

With support for 10 Gigabit Ethernet, the module delivers high-speed data transfer capabilities, reducing latency and improving overall network performance.

The combination of 32 10GBase-T ports and 8x10GE module support enables organizations to scale their network infrastructure according to evolving business needs, accommodating growing numbers of devices and increasing data loads.

By supporting both 10GBase-T and SFP+ modules, the module offers flexibility in network connectivity options, allowing organizations to choose the most suitable connection type for their specific requirements.

The N2K-C2232TM-10GE provides a cost-effective solution for deploying high-speed networking capabilities, offering a balance between performance and affordability compared to other networking technologies.

As part of the Nexus series, the module integrates seamlessly with Cisco's networking infrastructure, providing centralized management and configuration through Cisco's management software, which simplifies network administration tasks.

The N2K-C2232TM-10GE finds applications in various networking environments, including:

• Data Centers: In data center environments, the module can be used to connect servers, storage devices, and networking equipment, facilitating high-speed data transfer and ensuring seamless communication between critical infrastructure components.
• Enterprise Networks: Within enterprise networks, the module enables organizations to deploy high-speed connectivity for office workstations, printers, and other networked devices, enhancing productivity and collaboration among employees.
• Cloud Computing: In cloud computing environments, the module supports the networking requirements of virtualized servers and storage systems, enabling efficient resource allocation and management across virtualized infrastructure.
• High-Performance Computing (HPC): For HPC applications such as scientific research and computational modeling, the module provides the necessary bandwidth and low latency for processing large volumes of data and complex calculations.
• Virtualization: In virtualized environments, the module facilitates network connectivity for virtual machines (VMs) and virtual network functions (VNFs), ensuring optimal performance and reliability for virtualized workloads.

The N2K-C2232TM-10GE Cisco Nexus Series 2232TM Expansion Module provides a range of features that can help maximize network performance and scalability. Here are some of the key features:

• High-Speed Connectivity: The N2K-C2232TM-10GE expansion module provides high-speed connectivity with support for up to 10 Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) connections per port. This enables faster data transfer rates and can help reduce network congestion, improving overall network performance.
• Virtual Port Channels (vPCs): The N2K-C2232TM-10GE expansion module supports Virtual Port Channels (vPCs), which enable administrators to bundle multiple physical connections into a single logical connection, providing increased bandwidth and redundancy. This can help improve network performance and scalability, while also providing a more resilient network architecture.
• Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP): The N2K-C2232TM-10GE expansion module supports LACP, which enables administrators to group multiple physical connections to create a single logical connection. This can help maximize network performance by increasing bandwidth and providing redundancy.
• Quality of Service (QoS): The N2K-C2232TM-10GE expansion module supports Quality of Service (QoS) features, which enable administrators to prioritize network traffic based on application type, user group, or other factors. This can help ensure that critical applications receive the necessary bandwidth and network resources, while also preventing non-critical traffic from causing network congestion.
• Scalability: The N2K-C2232TM-10GE expansion module is designed for scalability, with support for up to 32 10GbE connections per module. This enables network administrators to easily add additional capacity as their network grows, without requiring major hardware upgrades or changes.

By offering these performance and scalability features, the N2K-C2232TM-10GE Cisco Nexus Series 2232TM Expansion Module can help organizations maximize the performance and scalability of their networks. Network administrators can take advantage of these features to build high-performance networks that can easily scale to meet the needs of their organization.

Software Compatibility

The N2K-C2232TM-10GE Cisco Nexus Series 2232TM Expansion Module is compatible with a range of software platforms, including:

• Cisco NX-OS: The N2K-C2232TM-10GE expansion module is fully compatible with Cisco NX-OS, which is the operating system used by Cisco Nexus switches and fabric extenders. This enables administrators to easily integrate the expansion module into their existing Cisco Nexus network infrastructure.
• Cisco Data Center Network Manager (DCNM): The N2K-C2232TM-10GE expansion module is also compatible with Cisco Data Center Network Manager (DCNM), which is a network management tool that enables administrators to manage their entire data center network from a single console. DCNM provides a range of features, including automated provisioning, network visualization, and policy-based management.
• Cisco Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI): The N2K-C2232TM-10GE expansion module is also compatible with Cisco Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI), which is a software-defined networking (SDN) solution that provides policy-based automation and orchestration of network resources. ACI enables administrators to deploy and manage applications across multiple data center locations while ensuring consistent policy enforcement and security.
• Cisco Virtual Machine Fabric Extender (VM-FEX): The N2K-C2232TM-10GE expansion module is compatible with Cisco Virtual Machine Fabric Extender (VM-FEX), which is a technology that enables virtual machines to directly access physical network resources. VM-FEX provides increased network performance and scalability for virtualized environments and enables administrators to more easily manage and secure virtualized network resources.

Security and Access Control Features

The N2K-C2232TM-10GE Cisco Nexus Series 2232TM Expansion Module provides a range of security and access control features, including:

• Secure management: The expansion module supports secure management protocols such as SSH and SNMPv3, which provide secure access to the device's management interface.
• Role-based access control: The expansion module supports role-based access control (RBAC), which enables administrators to assign specific privileges to individual users or groups. This ensures that users only have access to the features and functions they need to perform their tasks.
• Secure boot: The expansion module supports secure boot, which ensures that the device boots only from a trusted software image. This helps to prevent unauthorized access and protects against malicious attacks.
• Port security: The expansion module supports port security, which enables administrators to restrict access to a specific port based on the MAC address of the attached device. This helps to prevent unauthorized devices from connecting to the network.
• Network segmentation: The expansion module supports network segmentation, which enables administrators to divide the network into smaller, isolated segments. This helps to prevent the spread of network-based threats and limits the impact of security breaches.
• Access control lists: The expansion module supports access control lists (ACLs), which enable administrators to control access to specific network resources based on IP addresses, protocols, and other criteria. This helps to prevent unauthorized access and ensures that network traffic is properly managed and secured.

• Manufacturer: Cisco
• Part Number or SKU# N2K-C2232TM-10GE
• Product Line: Nexus
• Product Series 2000
• Product Name: Nexus 2000 Series Fabric Extender
• Product Type: Expansion Module

• 10GBASE-T Fabric Extender
• 32x1/10GBase-T + 8x10GE Module (req SFP+)
• Form Factor: Rack-mountable
• Ports Qty: 32 Ports
• Cabling Type: Ethernet 100base-tx, Ethernet 1000base-t
• Auxiliary Ports: 8 X Sfp+ (uplink)
• Data Link Protocol: Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet

• 2 x AC PS
• 1 x Fan Module (Standard Airflow)

Finally, the N2K-C2232TM-10GE is a versatile and high-performance networking module that offers 32 ports for 10GBase-T connections, along with support for 8 additional 10 Gigabit Ethernet modules. Its rack-mountable design, scalability, and compatibility with SFP+ modules make it suitable for a wide range of applications, including data centers, enterprise networks, cloud computing, HPC, and virtualization. With its robust features, the N2K-C2232TM-10GE provides organizations with the flexibility, performance, and reliability needed to meet the demands of modern networking environments.