Description
Product Information for the Cisco N2K-C2248TP-E 48 Ports Fabric Extender
The Cisco N2K-C2248TP-E is a key component in the Nexus 2000 Series, designed to enhance network connectivity and flexibility. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the details of the N2K-C2248TP-E, focusing on its features, specifications, and the process of hot-swapping modules for efficient network management.
Overview of Cisco Nexus 2000 Series
The Nexus 2000 Series Fabric Extenders play a crucial role in modern data center architectures, providing a scalable and flexible solution for network expansion. These fabric extenders are designed to work seamlessly with Nexus switches, enhancing their capabilities and simplifying network operations.
Key Features of Cisco N2K-C2248TP-E
- Total Number of Network Ports: 48 Ports: The N2K-C2248TP-E boasts 48 network ports, offering a substantial capacity for connecting devices and facilitating data transfer within the network. This high port density is particularly advantageous in environments with numerous connected devices or a need for extensive inter-device communication.
- Hot Swap Module Replacement Capability: One of the standout features of the N2K-C2248TP-E is its hot-swappable module replacement capability. Hot swapping allows for the replacement or addition of modules without disrupting the operation of the entire system. This feature is essential for minimizing downtime and ensuring continuous network availability during maintenance or upgrades.
- Rack-Mountable Design: The N2K-C2248TP-E is designed for easy integration into standard server racks, providing a space-efficient and organized solution for data center deployments. The rack-mountable design ensures that the fabric extender can be seamlessly incorporated into existing infrastructure, optimizing space utilization and promoting efficient cable management.
Understanding the Fabric Extender Architecture
The Nexus 2000 Series Fabric Extenders operate as remote line cards for Nexus switches, extending the reach of the parent switch and enabling the creation of a unified, high-performance network fabric. This architecture offers several benefits, including simplified management, improved scalability, and enhanced flexibility.
- Remote Line Card Functionality: The N2K-C2248TP-E acts as a remote line card for a parent Nexus switch, such as the Nexus 5000 or Nexus 7000 series. This allows for the extension of the switch ports to the fabric extender, effectively increasing the number of available ports without the need for additional switch infrastructure.
- Unified Fabric Architecture: Cisco’s unified fabric architecture is a key concept in the Nexus 2000 Series. It enables the convergence of data and storage networking on a single fabric, simplifying network design and management. The N2K-C2248TP-E contributes to this unified fabric by seamlessly integrating with Nexus switches and supporting both Ethernet and Fibre Channel protocols.
- Scalability and Flexibility: The fabric extender architecture enhances scalability by allowing for the deployment of multiple extenders in a single network. This modular approach enables organizations to scale their network infrastructure based on evolving needs, making it a versatile solution for both small and large-scale deployments.
Use Cases and Applications
The Cisco N2K-C2248TP-E finds applications across various industries and scenarios. Some common use cases include:
- Enterprise Data Centers: Large enterprises with expansive data center infrastructure can benefit from the scalability and high availability features of the N2K-C2248TP-E. Its ability to seamlessly integrate into existing rack configurations makes it an ideal choice for organizations with diverse network requirements.
- Cloud Service Providers: Cloud service providers often require flexible and scalable network solutions to meet the dynamic needs of their clients. The Cisco N2K-C2248TP-E’s fabric extender technology aligns with the requirements of cloud environments, enabling providers to deliver reliable and efficient services.
- High-Performance Computing: Industries relying on high-performance computing, such as research institutions and scientific laboratories, can leverage the enhanced performance capabilities of the N2K-C2248TP-E. Its 48 ports and fabric extender architecture make it suitable for handling large volumes of data and complex computational tasks.
- Virtualized Environments: As virtualization becomes increasingly prevalent in modern IT infrastructures, fabric extenders like the N2K-C2248TP-E play a crucial role in supporting virtualized environments. The extender’s scalability and hot swap module replacement contribute to the adaptability required in virtualized setups.
Benefits of Hot-Swap Module Replacement
The hot-swap module replacement capability of the N2K-C2248TP-E offers several benefits that contribute to the overall efficiency and reliability of the network infrastructure:
- Minimized Downtime: Hot-swapping allows for the replacement of modules without interrupting the operation of the entire system. This minimizes downtime and ensures continuous network availability, even during maintenance activities.
- Enhanced Reliability: The ability to replace modules on the fly contributes to the overall reliability of the network. In the event of a module failure or the need for an upgrade, hot-swapping enables quick and efficient resolution without affecting the entire network.
- Streamlined Maintenance Processes: Hot-swappable modules simplify maintenance processes by eliminating the need for scheduled downtime. This is particularly advantageous in environments where uninterrupted network access is critical.
Technical Specifications
- Performance Metrics: The N2K-C2248TP-E switch is equipped with performance-enhancing features to meet the demands of modern networking environments. It provides high throughput and low-latency connectivity, ensuring that data can flow seamlessly between connected devices.
- Modular Design: The modular design of the N2K-C2248TP-E allows for flexibility in network expansion. Administrators can customize the switch based on their specific requirements by adding or replacing modules as needed. This modularity is valuable in adapting the network infrastructure to evolving business needs.
- Power Efficiency: Cisco places a strong emphasis on energy efficiency in its networking equipment. The N2K-C2248TP-E is designed with power-saving features, contributing to a greener and more sustainable IT infrastructure. This focus on power efficiency is crucial for organizations aiming to reduce their environmental impact and operating costs.
High-Reliability
The Cisco Nexus 2000 series Fabric Extender (FEX) is a device that connects to a parent Cisco Nexus switch and acts as an extension of that switch’s data plane. The N2K-C2248TP-E is a specific model of Nexus 2000 FEX that is rack-mountable and designed for high-reliability environments. It has 48 fixed 1/10 GbE ports and supports both copper and fiber connectivity options. The FEX architecture allows for a simplified network design, with the parent Nexus switch providing centralized management and control while the FEXs handle the access layer connectivity. This helps to reduce the number of devices and cables required, making it easier to manage and scale the network.
Additional Information
The N2K-C2248TP-E is a Cisco Nexus 2000 series Fabric Extender (FEX) that provides 48 fixed 1/10 GbE ports in a rack-mountable form factor. It connects to a parent Cisco Nexus switch and acts as an extension of that switch’s data plane.
It supports both copper and fiber connectivity options and is designed for high-reliability environments, it also supports features such as:
- VXLAN and NVGRE for overlay networks.
- Quality of Service (QoS) for traffic management.
- Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP) for link redundancy.
- Access Control Lists (ACLs) for security.
- Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE) for power savings.
The FEX architecture allows for a simplified network design, with the parent Nexus switch providing centralized management and control while the FEXs handle the access layer connectivity. This helps to reduce the number of devices and cables required, making it easier to manage and scale the network.
This part is designed for use in data centers, enterprise networks, and service provider environments. It can be used as a top-of-rack switch or as an end-of-row switch in larger network deployments.
Additionally, this model can be used with other Nexus 2000 series models that have similar features.
General Information about this Cisco N2K-C2248TP-E
- Manufacturer: Cisco
- Model Number or SKU# N2K-C2248TP-E
- Product Line: Nexus
- Product Series: Nexus 2000
- Product Type: Fabric Extender
- Product Name: Nexus 2000 Fabric Extender
- Device Type: Expansion module
Technical Specifications
- Buffer Size: 32 MB
- Fan Modules: 1
- Network Ports: 48×100/1000Base-T + 4x10GE (requires SFP+)
- Duplex Capability: Full Duplex
- Total Number of Network Ports: 48
- Hot Swap Module Replacement: Yes
- Auto-Negotiation: Yes
- VLAN Support: Yes
- IGMP Snooping: Yes
- Syslog Support: Yes
- Weighted Round Robin (WRR) Queuing: Yes
- IPv6 Support: Yes
- Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) Support: Yes
- Access Control List (ACL) Support: Yes
- Quality of Service (QoS): Yes
- Jumbo Frames Support: Yes
- Choice of Airflow and Power Supply: Yes
- Green Compliant: Yes
- Green Compliance Certificate/Authority: RoHS
- Performance: Hardware forwarding at 1280 Gbps or 952 mpps
Outline, the Cisco N2K-C2248TP-E is a versatile and powerful component of the Nexus 2000 Series, offering high port density, hot-swappable module replacement, and a rack-mountable design. Understanding the features and capabilities of this fabric extender, along with the process of hot-swapping modules, is essential for network administrators and IT professionals working with Cisco’s data center solutions.
By seamlessly integrating with Nexus switches, supporting unified fabric architecture, and providing scalability and flexibility, the N2K-C2248TP-E contributes to the creation of efficient and reliable data center networks. The hot-swap module replacement capability further enhances the extender’s appeal by minimizing downtime and simplifying maintenance processes.
As technology continues to advance, Cisco’s Nexus 2000 Series remains a key player in shaping the future of data center networking, and the N2K-C2248TP-E stands out as a reliable and feature-rich solution for organizations seeking a robust fabric extender for their network infrastructure.
