Nexus 5000 operating as a standalone FibreChannel Switch

[KEVIN DELANEY]

Hi Everyone,

Does anyone know if the Nexus 5000 can operate as a standalone FibreChannel Switch? Meaning I don't want to run NPV on it and connect it up to a MDS or another type of FibreChannel switch. I'm looking to create a "Pod" like scenario. Where a couple Servers and a Storage Array would hook into the 5K on a F_Ports and login to it's local FLOGI DB and be able to use zoning, and have the traffic switched right off of the 5K, etc. etc? I know the 5K is not a full blown fibre channel switch as it does have some limitations but again I'm thinking of a "Pod" like scenario.

If the above scenario wont work for some reason using FC can we achieve this using FCoE with CNAs on the Servers & Storage Array?

Lastly, how many FC Domain IDs can the 5K have?

Sorry for the basic questions. I'm new to SAN Switching at this point.

Thanks everyone!

[Jeremy Waldrop · Accepted solution]

Yes, it runs the same FC switching NX-OS code as an MDS switch.

You connect FC HBAs, SAN ports or FCoE CNAs to Nexus.

You will need the storage license though.

Nexus 5010 supports up to 8 4G FC ports or 6 8G FC ports with the expansion module

Nexus 5020 supports up to 16 4G FC ports or 12 8G FC ports with the expansion module

Nexus 5548UP supports up to 32 4/8G FC ports without the expansion module

Nexus 5548UP supports up to 48 4/8G FC ports with the expansion module

Nexus 5596UP supports up to 48 4/8G FC ports without the expansion module

Nexus 5596UP supports up to 96 4/8G FC ports with the expansion module

[KEVIN DELANEY]

Huh..Thanks for your answer. After doing a little research it looks like you can even manage a 5K with the Cisco MDS Fabric Manager.

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/switches/datacenter/nexus5000/sw/configuration/guide/fm/FabricManager.html

Thanks very much!