N2K-C2348UPQ Cisco Nexus 2000, 10GE UP FEX - 48x1/10GE SFP+, 6x40G QSFP
Cisco N2K-C2348UPQ Nexus 2348UPQ 10G Fabric Extender
Unified Port Fabric Expansion for High-Density 10G Ethernet and Fibre Channel
The Cisco Nexus N2K-C2348UPQ is a high-performance Nexus 2000 Series Fabric Extender (FEX) engineered for unified, low-latency data center architectures. Designed to operate as a remote line card for a parent Cisco Nexus switch, this FEX centralizes management and policy enforcement while enabling a scalable Top-of-Rack (ToR) deployment model that reduces cabling complexity and operational overhead.
Equipped with 48 Unified SFP+ ports, the N2K-C2348UPQ offers unmatched flexibility by allowing each port to be configured independently for 1G/10G Ethernet, FCoE, or native 2/4/8G Fibre Channel. This makes it an ideal solution for converged LAN and SAN environments, supporting both server and storage connectivity on the same hardware platform.
For upstream connectivity, six 40G QSFP+ uplinks deliver up to 240 Gbps of fabric bandwidth, ensuring low oversubscription and high throughput to parent Nexus switches in large-scale deployments. With cut-through switching, a 32 MB shared buffer, and full Data Center Bridging (DCB) support, the N2K-C2348UPQ provides ultra-low latency and lossless Ethernet, making it well-suited for virtualization, high-performance computing (HPC), and latency-sensitive workloads.
Built for enterprise-grade reliability, the Cisco Nexus N2K-C2348UPQ includes hot-swappable redundant power supplies and fan modules, along with flexible airflow options. Fully managed through supported Nexus 5000, 7000, and 9000 Series switches from Cisco Systems, it is a powerful and future-ready choice for modern data centers adopting unified fabric designs.
Product Specifications – Cisco Nexus N2K-C2348UPQ
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| Specification Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Product Name | Cisco Nexus N2K-C2348UPQ |
| Manufacturer | Cisco Systems |
| Product Series | Cisco Nexus 2000 Series |
| Category | Fabric Extender (FEX) |
| Model / Part Number | N2K-C2348UPQ |
| Product Description | High-performance Fabric Extender for unified data center architectures, delivering flexible Ethernet and Fibre Channel connectivity while simplifying management through parent Nexus switches |
| Device Role | Remote line card managed by a parent Nexus switch |
| Host Interfaces (Downlinks) | 48 × Unified Ports (1G/10G Ethernet, FCoE, or Native Fibre Channel) |
| Host Port Type | SFP+ Unified Ports |
| Fibre Channel Support | Native FC at 2G / 4G / 8G |
| Fabric Interfaces (Uplinks) | 6 × 40G QSFP+ |
| Total Fabric Bandwidth | Up to 240 Gbps |
| Forwarding Mode | Cut-through switching (ultra-low latency) |
| Packet Buffer | 32 MB shared buffer |
| Latency Characteristics | Optimized for ultra-low latency workloads |
| Unified Port Technology | Each port configurable independently for Ethernet or Native Fibre Channel |
| Data Center Bridging (DCB) | Supported (lossless Ethernet for FCoE and converged traffic) |
| Airflow Options | Port-side Intake or Port-side Exhaust |
| Power Supplies | Dual redundant, hot-swappable AC or DC power supplies |
| Cooling | Redundant hot-swappable fan modules |
| Resiliency Features | Centralized control plane, redundant power and cooling |
| Form Factor | 1RU rack-mountable |
| Management Model | Managed entirely through parent Nexus switch |
| Supported Parent Switches | Cisco Nexus 5000, 7000, and 9000 Series |
| Deployment Architecture | Top-of-Rack (ToR) with centralized aggregation management |
| Typical Use Cases | Unified LAN/SAN deployments, FCoE environments, HPC and low-latency data centers |
| Key Advantage | Hardware consolidation with flexible Ethernet and Fibre Channel on every port |
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FAQs:
Q1. What is the benefit of "Unified Ports" on the N2K-C2348UPQ?
Unified Ports allow you to transition between Ethernet and Native Fibre Channel without changing hardware. You can configure ports for server connectivity (10G) or direct storage attachment (8G FC) via software.
Q2. Does this FEX require a separate software license?
No. The FEX is managed by the parent Nexus switch. All software features and licensing are typically handled by the parent switch (e.g., Nexus 9300 or 5600).
Q3. Can I use the 40G ports to connect to servers?
No. The 6 x 40G QSFP+ ports are dedicated "Fabric Interfaces" meant specifically for uplinking to the parent switch.
Q4. Does this model support 1G SFP transceivers?
Yes, the 48 SFP+ host ports are backward compatible and can support 1G SFP transceivers in addition to 10G SFP+ and 8G FC optics.
Q5. Is the N2K-C2348UPQ compatible with Cisco ACI?
Yes, when connected to an ACI-capable parent Nexus 9000 switch, this FEX can be integrated into a Cisco ACI leaf-and-spine fabric.
