Nexus 5000 & Fiber Channel

mnordhoff · ‎09-18-2008

Does anyone know if the Nexus 5000 will support native fiber channel today? It is my understanding that an expansion module is needed but it doesn't look like that expansion module is orderable today. Does anyone have a good, up-to-date reference that itemizes exactly what the Nexus platforms (5000 & 7000) will do today? It really seems like both platforms are really just high-speed L2 switches today.

Thanks in advance!

colin.mcnamara · ‎09-18-2008

You can, though depending on the current release some of the port type support is being added as we speak.

The real power of the 5000 comes to bear when you use the fibre channel expansion modules to connect a storage array into your data center ethernet fabric.

The 5000 then will create a virtual N port that you connect to with FCOE over the high speed data center ethernet fabric.

bhedlund · ‎11-06-2008

Yes, absolutely, the Nexus 5000 can be populated with native FC interfaces today.

You have the option of a 4+4 module (4 ports 10GE and 4 ports 4G FC) or you can also get an 8 port 4G FC module.

You can use the FC ports on the Nexus 5000 to connect to an upstream FC fabric.

While future lincards for Nexus 7000 will support FCoE transport, there are no plans to have native FC ports in the Nexus 7000 at this time.

Cheers,

Brad

mnordhoff · ‎11-07-2008

Thanks for the feedback Brad. I'll try & take a look at the Product Configurator today and see if that expansion module is orderable. I knew it was on the roadmap but it just wasn't orderable. Thanks again...

-MN

bhedlund · ‎11-07-2008

Chances are you will still not see the FC modules in the Configuration Tool, but they are orderable. If you search by product number using "N5K" as the search query you will see the FC module.

If you are adding FC modules to a Nexus 5000 you will also need to purchase the Storage Protocols license, which also is not in the Configuration Tool yet, but if you search by product number with "N5020" you will see it.

Cheers,

Brad

cdusio · ‎12-19-2008

You cannot order the fiber channel module for the 5k unless you are a storage reseller like NetApp or EMC. We had to get a one off from Cisco to be able to sell it and it does NOT appear in the config tool even though it's orderable.