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Cisco FabricPath: Cisco FabricPath is a set of multipath Ethernet technologies that combine the reliability
and scalability benefits of Layer 3 routing with the flexibility of Layer 2 networks, enabling IT to build
massively scalable data centers. Cisco FabricPath offers a topology-based Layer 2 routing mechanism that
provides an equal-cost multipath (ECMP) forwarding model. Cisco FabricPath implements an enhancement
that solves the MAC address table scalability problem characteristic of switched Layer 2 networks.
Furthermore, Cisco FabricPath supports vPC+, a technology similar to vPC that allows redundant
interconnection of the existing Ethernet infrastructure to Cisco FabricPath without using Spanning Tree
Protocol. Benefits introduced by the Cisco FabricPath technology include:
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Operational simplicity: Cisco FabricPath embeds an autodiscovery mechanism that does not require any
additional platform configuration. By offering Layer 2 connectivity, the “VLAN anywhere” characteristic
simplifies provisioning and offers workload flexibility across the network.
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High resiliency and performance: Because Cisco FabricPath is a Layer 2 routed protocol; it offers
stability, scalability, and optimized resiliency along with network failure containment.
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Massively scalable fabric: By building a forwarding model on 16-way ECMP routing, Cisco FabricPath
helps prevent bandwidth bottlenecks and allows organizations to add capacity dynamically, without
network disruption.
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FabricPath Multi-Topology support for two distinct topologies that provide VLAN localization and reuse in
the network.
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Cisco TrustSec
®
security: As part of the Cisco TrustSec security suite, Nexus 5000 series will be able to
participate in CTS authentication to ACS server and download ACS policy. Security group access control
lists (SGACLs), a new paradigm in network access control, are based on security group tags instead of IP
addresses, enabling implementation of policies that are more concise and easier to manage because of
their topology independence.
Cisco NX-OX Software Packaging for Cisco Nexus 5000 Series
The software packaging for the Cisco Nexus 5000 Series offers flexibility and a comprehensive feature set while
being consistent with Cisco Nexus access switches. The default system software has a comprehensive Layer 2
feature set with comprehensive security and management features. To enable Layer 3 IP unicast and multicast
routing functions, additional licenses need to be installed.
Table 5 lists the software packaging and licensing available.
Table 5.
Software Packaging and Licensing
License
Chassis Based or
Port Based
Part Number
Supported Features and Platforms
Cisco Nexus 5548 FCoE NPV
License
Chassis
N5548-FNPV-SSK9
FCoE NPV features supported on Cisco Nexus 5548
Cisco Nexus 5596 FCoE NPV
License
Chassis
N5596-FNPV-SSK9
FCoE NPV features supported on Cisco Nexus 5596
Cisco Nexus 5500 Storage
Protocols Services License,
8 Ports
Port
N55-8P-SSK9
Fibre Channel and FCoE and FCoE NPV features supported
on any 8 ports of Cisco Nexus 5548 and 5596
Cisco Nexus 5500 Storage
Protocols Services License,
48 Ports
Port
N55-48P-SSK9
Fibre Channel and FCoE and FCoE NPV features supported
on any 48 ports of Cisco Nexus 5548 and 5596
Cisco Nexus 5500 Layer 3 Base
Software License
Chassis
N55-BAS1K9
Static routing, RIPv2, OSPFv2, EIGRP stub, HSRP, VRRP,
IGMPv2 and v3, PIMv2 (sparse mode), routed ACL, and uRPF;
OSPF scalability is limited to 256 dynamically learned routes
