Description
Features and Benefits
The N6K-C6004-M12Q is an expansion module for the Cisco Nexus 6004 switch. It provides additional 40 Gigabit Ethernet ports to the switch, increasing its capacity and flexibility in data center environments. Here are some of its key features and benefits:
- High-speed connectivity: The module supports up to 12 ports of 40 Gigabit Ethernet, which can be used for high-speed connectivity to servers, storage devices, or other network switches.
- Low-latency performance: The N6K-C6004-M12Q module is designed for low-latency performance, which is important for demanding applications such as high-frequency trading or real-time video streaming.
- Flexible deployment: The module is hot-swappable, which means it can be inserted or removed without interrupting the switch’s operation. This makes it easy to add or remove capacity as needed.
- Energy-efficient design: The module is designed to be energy-efficient, with features such as low-power ASICs and fan modules that automatically adjust their speed based on temperature and power usage.
- Scalable architecture: The Cisco Nexus 6004 switch and its expansion modules are designed to be highly scalable, supporting up to 96 ports of 40 Gigabit Ethernet in a single chassis. This makes it easy to expand your network as your business grows.
- Advanced management features: The module is managed using Cisco’s NX-OS operating system, which provides advanced features such as virtual PortChannel (vPC) and FabricPath for improved performance and resiliency.
Installation and Configuration
The N6K-C6004-M12Q is an expansion module for the Cisco Nexus 6004 switch. It provides 12 ports of 40 Gigabit Ethernet (40GbE) connectivity using Quad Small Form-factor Pluggable (QSFP) interfaces. Here are the steps to install and configure the module:
Installation:
- Power off the Nexus 6004 switch.
- Insert the expansion module into the designated slot on the switch.
- Tighten the captive screws to secure the module in place.
- Connect the QSFP interfaces of the module to the desired devices using appropriate cables.
- Power on the Nexus 6004 switch.
Configuration:
- Access the Nexus 6004 switch using the command-line interface (CLI) or a graphical user interface (GUI) such as Cisco Data Center Network Manager (DCNM).
- Verify that the expansion module is recognized by the switch by issuing the “show module” command.
- Configure the interfaces on the expansion module using the “interface” command. For example, to configure interface Ethernet1/1/1 on the expansion module, issue the command “interface Ethernet1/1/1”.
- Configure the necessary parameters for the interface, such as speed, duplex, VLAN, and IP address.
- Save the configuration changes to the running configuration using the “copy running-config startup-config” command.
Use Cases and Applications
The N6K-C6004-M12Q is an expansion module designed for use with the Cisco Nexus 6004 switch. This module provides additional connectivity options for the switch and can be used in a variety of different network environments.
The main use case for the N6K-C6004-M12Q is to add 12 40-Gigabit Ethernet (40GbE) ports to the Cisco Nexus 6004 switch. These ports can be used to connect to other switches or devices in a high-speed data center network. Additionally, the module supports breakout cables, which allow each 40GbE port to be split into four 10GbE ports, providing additional flexibility in network design.
Some of the applications that may benefit from the N6K-C6004-M12Q expansion module include:
- High-performance computing (HPC): HPC clusters often require high-speed, low-latency networking to handle the large amounts of data being processed. The N6K-C6004-M12Q can provide the necessary connectivity between nodes in an HPC cluster.
- Cloud computing: Cloud environments require scalable, high-bandwidth networking to support virtual machines and applications running on multiple servers. The N6K-C6004-M12Q can be used to connect multiple servers together, providing the necessary network capacity for cloud workloads.
- Big data analytics: Big data workloads require high-speed networking to move large amounts of data between storage and processing nodes. The N6K-C6004-M12Q can be used to provide this connectivity, allowing big data analytics applications to run efficiently.
- High-frequency trading (HFT): HFT environments require ultra-low latency networking to support high-speed trading algorithms. The N6K-C6004-M12Q can be used to provide the necessary connectivity between trading servers and other network devices.
General Information
- Manufacturer: Cisco Systems, Inc
- Manufacturer Part Number: N6K-C6004-M12Q
- Brand Name: Cisco
- Product Name: Nexus 6004 Module 12Q 40GE Ethernet/FCoE
- Product Type: Expansion Module
Technical Information
- Application/Usage: Optical Network
- Application/Usage: Data Networking
I/O Expansions
- Expansion Slots: 12 x SFP (mini-GBIC)/SFP+
Miscellaneous:
- Compatibility- Cisco Nexus 6004 Switches





