Configuring Virtual Port Channels

Supported vPC Topologies

Host interface—An Ethernet interface for server or host connectivity. These ports are 1-Gigabit Ethernet interfaces or 10-Gigabit Ethernet interfaces, depending on the fabric extender model.

EtherChannel host interface—An EtherChannel downlink connection from the Fabric Extender host interface to a server port.

Note An EtherChannel host interface consists of only one host interface and can be configured either as a Link Aggregation Control Protocol (LACP) or non-LACP EtherChannel.

Supported vPC Topologies

Cisco Nexus 5000 Series Switch vPC Topology

You can connect a pair of Cisco Nexus 5000 Series switches or a pair of Cisco Nexus 5500 Series switches in a vPC directly to another switch or to a server. vPC peer switches must be of the same type, for example, you can connect a pair of Nexus 5000 series switches or a pair of Nexus 5500 Series switches but you cannot connect a Nexus 5000 Series switch to a Nexus 5500 Series switch in a vPC topology. Up to 8 interfaces could be connected to each Cisco Nexus 5000 Series switch providing 16 interfaces bundled for the vPC pair. The topology that is shown in the following figure provides the vPC functionality to dual connected switches or servers with 10-Gigabit or 1-Gigabit Ethernet uplink interfaces.

Figure 6: Switch-to-Switch vPC Topology

Note The first 8 ports on the Cisco Nexus 5010 switch and the first 16 ports on the Cisco Nexus 5020 switch are switchable 1-Gigabit and 10-Gigabit ports. You can enable vPC functionality on these ports in 1-Gigabit mode.

The switch connected to the pair of Cisco Nexus 5000 Series switches can be any standards-based Ethernet switch. Common environments to use this configuration include Blade Chassis with dual switches connected to the pair of Cisco Nexus 5000 Series switches through vPC or Unified Computing Systems connected to the pair of Cisco Nexus 5000 Series switches.

 

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Cisco Systems N5KC5596TFA manual Supported vPC Topologies, Cisco Nexus 5000 Series Switch vPC Topology

N5KC5596TFA specifications

The Cisco Systems N5KC5596TFA is a high-performance data center switch designed specifically for modern architectures requiring low-latency, high-bandwidth connectivity. As part of the Nexus 5000 series, the N5KC5596TFA addresses the needs of virtualized environments, cloud computing, and highly dynamic workloads, making it an essential choice for enterprises and service providers.

One of the standout features of the N5KC5596TFA is its impressive port density. The switch offers 48 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GbE) ports and 4 40 Gigabit Ethernet (40GbE) uplinks, providing flexibility to connect a variety of devices and ensuring high throughput across the network. This port configuration is ideal for connecting multiple servers and storage devices, making it perfect for environments with significant data traffic.

The switch supports a range of advanced technologies such as Virtual Extensible LAN (VXLAN) for improving scalability and multi-tenancy in data center networks. VXLAN encapsulates Layer 2 Ethernet frames within Layer 4 UDP packets, allowing for a larger address space and effective overlay networking, which is crucial for cloud deployments.

Another notable aspect of the N5KC5596TFA is its support for Data Center Bridging (DCB), which enhances the reliability and performance of Ethernet networks. DCB features like Priority Flow Control (PFC) and Enhanced Transmission Selection (ETS) help to minimize data loss and ensure Quality of Service (QoS) for various types of traffic, including storage and regular data, which is critical in a converged infrastructure.

Security is also a priority with the N5KC5596TFA, as it comes equipped with features such as Access Control Lists (ACLs) and port security, helping to safeguard the network from unauthorized access and potential threats.

In terms of management, the switch offers integration with Cisco's Data Center Network Manager (DCNM), providing tools for monitoring, management, and automation, which simplifies operational tasks. Additionally, it supports Cisco's Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI), enabling a more comprehensive and application-focused approach to networking.

Overall, the Cisco Systems N5KC5596TFA is engineered for organizations looking to build robust, highly efficient, and secure data center environments. Its combination of high density, versatile connectivity options, and advanced networking technologies makes it a powerful solution for meeting the demands of today’s enterprise workloads.