For anyone working with modern data center networking, understanding the capabilities and specifications of the equipment is paramount. The Cisco Nexus 2000 Datasheet is a crucial document that provides this essential information. It serves as a comprehensive guide, detailing the features, performance metrics, and deployment options for the Cisco Nexus 2000 Series Fabric Extenders, a cornerstone of many scalable and efficient network architectures.
What is the Cisco Nexus 2000 Datasheet and How is it Used?
The Cisco Nexus 2000 Datasheet is essentially a technical blueprint for the Nexus 2000 Series. It’s a detailed document that outlines everything a network administrator, architect, or procurement specialist needs to know before selecting and implementing these devices. Think of it as a product manual but specifically focused on the technical specifications. It tells you about the physical aspects, the networking protocols supported, the performance capabilities, and the environmental requirements. This information is critical for making informed decisions about network design and ensuring compatibility with existing infrastructure.
The primary use of the Cisco Nexus 2000 Datasheet is to facilitate informed decision-making. When planning a network upgrade or building a new data center, engineers will consult the datasheet to:
- Compare different Nexus 2000 models (e.g., N2K-C2232TM-E, N2K-C2248PQ-10GE) to find the best fit for their specific needs.
- Understand the supported port speeds and densities (e.g., 10/40 Gigabit Ethernet).
- Verify compatibility with their chosen Nexus fabric interconnects (e.g., Nexus 5000 or 6000 series).
- Assess power consumption and cooling requirements for rack planning.
- Identify supported features like Virtual PortChannels (vPCs) and Quality of Service (QoS).
Without this document, choosing the right hardware would be a shot in the dark, potentially leading to performance bottlenecks, compatibility issues, and wasted investment. The datasheet provides the concrete data needed to build a reliable and high-performing network.
Here's a glimpse of what you'd typically find within a Cisco Nexus 2000 Datasheet:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Form Factor | Rack units (e.g., 1RU) and physical dimensions. |
| Port Types | Uplink ports (QSFP+) and downlink ports (SFP+, SFP). |
| Switching Capacity | Forwarding rate in millions of packets per second (Mpps). |
| Latency | Packet delay for network traffic. |
| Power Supply | Redundancy options and power consumption. |
The datasheets also often include information on the supported Cisco NX-OS software features, crucial for understanding the full operational capabilities of the Nexus 2000 Series. This level of detail is indispensable for ensuring a successful network deployment .
To make the most informed decisions about your data center network and to fully grasp the capabilities of the Cisco Nexus 2000 Series, please refer to the detailed specifications and information provided in the Cisco Nexus 2000 Datasheet.