Description
Product Overview
The 94Y5353 IBM-Cisco Nexus B22 Fabric Extender is a device that is designed to enhance the capabilities of Flex System. The Flex System is an integrated system that combines computing, storage, and networking resources into a single chassis. The B22 Fabric Extender is a networking device that allows the Flex System to connect to the Cisco Nexus family of switches, which provides high-performance and reliable networking for enterprise data centers. In this article, we will provide a detailed explanation of the 94Y5353 IBM-Cisco Nexus B22 Fabric Extender and its features.
Specification of Fabric Extender
A Fabric Extender is a device that extends the capabilities of a Fabric Interconnect. A Fabric Interconnect is a networking device that connects servers and storage devices in a data center. The Fabric Interconnect provides a centralized point of control for the data center’s network infrastructure. A Fabric Extender, on the other hand, provides additional connectivity to servers and storage devices that are not directly connected to the Fabric Interconnect. Fabric Extenders are typically deployed in data center environments where there is a need for high-performance and scalable networking.
Features
The 94Y5353 IBM-Cisco Nexus B22 Fabric Extender provides the following features:
- High-Performance Networking: The B22 Fabric Extender provides high-performance networking for the Flex System. It supports 10 Gigabit Ethernet and Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) connectivity. This allows for high-speed data transfer between servers and storage devices.
- Scalable: The B22 Fabric Extender is a scalable device that can support up to eight Fabric Extenders per Cisco Nexus 5000 series switch. This allows for the expansion of the Flex System without the need for additional switches.
- Easy to Deploy: The B22 Fabric Extender is easy to deploy and configure. It can be installed into the Flex System chassis and connected to the Cisco Nexus 5000 series switch with a single cable.
- Flexible: The B22 Fabric Extender is a flexible device that can support a variety of deployment scenarios. It can be used in a top-of-rack (ToR) configuration, a middle-of-row (MoR) configuration, or an end-of-row (EoR) configuration.
- Energy-Efficient: The B22 Fabric Extender is an energy-efficient device that uses less power than traditional networking devices. This helps to reduce the overall energy consumption of the data center.
Benefits
The 94Y5353 IBM-Cisco Nexus B22 Fabric Extender provides the following benefits:
- Enhanced Network Performance: The B22 Fabric Extender provides high-performance networking for the Flex System. This allows for faster data transfer between servers and storage devices, which improves overall network performance.
- Scalability: The B22 Fabric Extender is a scalable device that allows for the expansion of the Flex System without the need for additional switches. This helps to reduce the overall cost of the data center.
- Reduced Complexity: The B22 Fabric Extender simplifies the management of the data center’s network infrastructure. It provides a centralized point of control for the Flex System’s networking resources.
- Energy-Efficiency: The B22 Fabric Extender uses less power than traditional networking devices. This helps to reduce the overall energy consumption of the data center, which can lead to cost savings.
- High Availability: The B22 Fabric Extender provides high availability for the Flex System’s networking resources. It supports hot-swappable modules and redundant power supplies, which helps to ensure that the network remains up and running at all times.
General Information about the IBM 94Y5353
- Manufacturer: IBM
- Manufacturer Part Number: 94Y5353
- Product Type: Expansion Module
Internal Ports
- Fourteen Internal Full-Duplex Auto-Sensing 1/10 Gigabit Ethernet Ports.
External Ports
- Eight Ports For 10 Gb Ethernet Sfp+ Transceivers.
Scalability And Performance
- Wire-Speed Forwarding Of Traffic With Aggregated Throughput Of 400 Gbps.
- Static And Etherchannel Link Aggregation, Up To 80 Gb (160 Gb Full-Duplex) Of Total Fabric Uplink Bandwidth Per Module.
- Support For Jumbo Frames (Up To 9,216 Bytes).
- Portchannel On Server Ports.





