N2K-C2348UPQ-10GE Cisco Nexus 2000, 10GE UP FEX - 48x1/10GE SFP+, 6x40G QSFP
Cisco N2K-C2348UPQ-10GE Nexus 2348UPQ 10G Fabric Extender
High-Density Unified Port FEX for 10G Fiber and Fibre Channel Connectivity
The Cisco Nexus N2K-C2348UPQ-10GE is a high-density Fabric Extender (FEX) built for unified, scalable data center environments that demand both Ethernet and Fibre Channel connectivity. Designed to operate as a remote line card for a parent Nexus switch, it centralizes control and policy while enabling a flexible Top-of-Rack (ToR) architecture that reduces cabling complexity and operational overhead.
Featuring 48 Unified SFP+ ports, the N2K-C2348UPQ-10GE allows each port to be configured for 1G/10G Ethernet, FCoE, or native 2/4/8G Fibre Channel, delivering exceptional flexibility for mixed server and storage workloads. This unified port design helps consolidate infrastructure, simplify hardware planning, and support seamless convergence of LAN and SAN traffic.
For upstream connectivity, six 40G QSFP+ uplinks provide up to 240 Gbps of aggregate bandwidth, ensuring low oversubscription and smooth traffic flow to the parent Nexus switch. With cut-through switching, a 32 MB shared buffer, and Data Center Bridging (DCB) support, the FEX delivers ultra-low latency and lossless Ethernet, ideal for latency-sensitive and storage-heavy applications.
Engineered for reliability and efficiency, the Cisco Nexus N2K-C2348UPQ-10GE includes hot-swappable redundant power supplies and fans, reversible airflow options, and optimized power consumption for high-density racks. Fully managed by supported Cisco Nexus 5000, 6000, 7000, and 9000 Series switches from Cisco Systems, it is an excellent choice for enterprises modernizing their data center fabric with unified networking.
Product Specifications – Cisco Nexus N2K-C2348UPQ-10GE
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| Specification Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Product Name | Cisco Nexus N2K-C2348UPQ-10GE |
| Manufacturer | Cisco Systems |
| Product Series | Cisco Nexus 2000 Series |
| Category | Fabric Extender (FEX) |
| Model / Part Number | N2K-C2348UPQ-10GE |
| Product Description | High-density, unified Fabric Extender providing flexible Ethernet and Fibre Channel connectivity for modern data centers, managed centrally by a parent Nexus switch |
| Device Role | Remote line card for 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+ ports |
| Maximum Uplink Bandwidth | Up to 240 Gbps |
| Forwarding Mode | Cut-through switching (ultra-low latency) |
| Packet Buffer | 32 MB shared buffer |
| Latency | Low-latency architecture optimized for data center workloads |
| Unified Port Technology | Each host port configurable for Ethernet or Native Fibre Channel |
| Data Center Bridging (DCB) | Supported (lossless Ethernet for FCoE traffic) |
| Airflow Options | Port-side Intake or Port-side Exhaust |
| Power Supplies | Dual redundant, hot-swappable AC or DC PSUs |
| Cooling | Redundant hot-swappable fan modules |
| Energy Efficiency | Optimized power and cooling for high-density deployments |
| Form Factor | 1RU rack-mountable |
| Management Model | Managed exclusively through parent Nexus switch |
| Supported Parent Switches | Cisco Nexus 5000, 6000, 7000, and 9000 Series |
| Deployment Architecture | Top-of-Rack (ToR) with centralized aggregation management |
| Resiliency Features | No local control plane, centralized policies, redundant power and cooling |
| Typical Use Cases | Unified Ethernet and SAN connectivity, FCoE deployments, scalable data center fabrics |
| Key Advantage | Hardware consolidation with flexible Ethernet and Fibre Channel on every port |
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FAQs:
Q1. What is a "Unified Port" (UP) on the Nexus 2348UPQ?
A Unified Port is highly flexible; it can be configured to operate as a standard 1/10G Ethernet port, a Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) port, or a native 2/4/8G Fibre Channel port.
Q2. Can the 40G QSFP+ fabric ports be used as host ports?
No. The 40G QSFP+ ports are strictly "Fabric Interfaces" used to connect the FEX to the parent Nexus switch. They cannot be used to connect servers or storage devices directly.
Q3. Does this FEX require its own software or OS?
No. The Nexus 2348UPQ does not run its own local software. It downloads its configuration and firmware directly from the parent Nexus switch upon connection.
Q4. Can I use copper SFP+ cables (DAC) with this model?
Yes. The SFP+ ports support Direct Attach Copper (DAC) cables, Active Optical Cables (AOC), and standard SFP+ transceivers (SR/LR) for maximum cabling flexibility.
Q5. How many parent switches can one FEX connect to?
For redundancy, the Nexus 2348UPQ can be connected to two parent switches using Virtual Port Channel (vPC) or "straight-through" to a single switch, depending on your high-availability design.
