cisco Nexus 5500 Nexus 5548UP
The Cisco Nexus 5548UP is a 1U unified port datacenter switch featuring 32 universal ports and one expansion slot. Delivering unified I/O capabilities, every SFP+ port on the 5548UP can be individually configured as 1G/10GbE Ethernet, FCoE, or native 8G/4G/2G Fibre Channel, allowing organizations to consolidate IP LAN and storage SAN infrastructure onto a single switch.
Specifications
| Brand | cisco |
|---|---|
| Family | Nexus 5500 |
| Form factor | 1U fixed switch |
| Released | Apr 2011 |
| End of sale | May 2017 |
| End of support | May 2022 |
| Universal ports | 32 fixed Unified Ports (1G/10GbE SFP+ or 8G/4G/2G Fibre Channel) |
| Expansion slot | 1 slot supporting up to 16 additional unified ports or Layer 3 daughter card |
| Total ports | Up to 48 universal ports in 1U |
| Switching capacity | 960 Gbps / 714 Mpps |
| Storage features | Native FC switch, FC forwarder (FCF), N-Port Virtualizer (NPV), FCoE |
Generations
- Previous generation: cisco Nexus 5500 Nexus 5548P
- Next generation: cisco Nexus 5600 Nexus 5672UP
Works together
How the cisco Nexus 5500 Nexus 5548UP connects to servers, storage and the network: 1 way, with the parts and products on each path.
Fibre Channel SAN
Match the speed: 16Gb and 32Gb FC HBAs, switches and array ports work together, and each generation also runs one or two speeds below its own (a 32Gb port runs at 16Gb and 8Gb).
Servers
Dell PowerEdge R430 1U rack
Dell PowerEdge R530 2U rack
Dell PowerEdge R630 1U rack
Dell PowerEdge R730 2U rack
Dell PowerEdge R730xd 2U rack
HPE ProLiant DL120 Gen9 1U rack
Adapters for the server
540-BBUU Dell Emulex LPe31002 Dual Port 16Gb Fibre Channel Host Bus Adapter
540-BBUV Dell QLogic 2692 Dual Port 16Gb Fibre Channel Host Bus Adapter
540-BCMS Dell QLogic 2770 Single Port 32Gb Fibre Channel PCIe Adapter
540-BCMT Dell QLogic 2772 Dual Port 32Gb Fibre Channel PCIe Adapter
Storage
HPE MSA 2040 2U rack enterprise SAN
HPE StoreEver MSL2024 Tape Library 2U rack tape library
Dell PowerStore 7000T 2U rack
HPE MSA 1040 2U rack entry SAN
Dell Unity XT Unity 300 2U rack
Dell Unity XT Unity 400 2U rack
Optics
DS-SFP-FC16G-SW Cisco 16Gbps Fibre Channel Shortwave SFP+ Transceiver
DS-SFP-FC32G-SW Cisco 32Gbps Fibre Channel Shortwave SFP28 Transceiver
57-1000262-01 Brocade 16Gb Shortwave SFP+ Optical Transceiver
Plan and size it
- Draw this setup in the topology planner mrplanb.com
- Add up rack power and space rack-density.com
- Virtualization storage Ledger: scored storage platforms mrplanb.com
- SAN transport and NVMe over FC for backup mrplanb.com
Check compatibility with Cisco
Before you buy, confirm the exact configuration against the vendor's own lists: firmware levels, operating systems, adapters and optics that Cisco has tested with the cisco Nexus 5500 Nexus 5548UP.
- Compatibility Cisco UCS Hardware Compatibility List
- Compatibility Cisco Optics-to-Device Compatibility Matrix
- Support Cisco Support and Downloads
Equivalent models from other brands
FAQ
What is a Cisco Unified Port on the 5548UP?
A Unified Port can run as a 10GbE Ethernet port or be software-configured as a native Fibre Channel SAN port connected to storage arrays or SAN fabrics.
Can the 5548UP connect directly to Brocade or MDS Fibre Channel fabrics?
Yes, operating in NPV (N-Port Virtualizer) mode, it connects transparently into upstream Brocade or Cisco MDS SAN fabrics without consuming domain IDs.
Buying or selling Nexus 5548UP?
New, refurbished or used. Tell us the quantity and condition and we connect you with a vetted reseller in your region, usually within one working day.
Sources
- Cisco Nexus 5548UP Product Documentation, checked 2026-10-27
- Cisco Nexus 5548UP Data Sheet and Technical Specifications, checked 2026-10-27