Cisco Nexus 5696Q Chassis Module 12Q 40GE Ethernet/FCoE

Engineered for high-density data centers and modern fabric architectures, the Cisco Nexus 5696Q Chassis Module delivers scalable 40 Gigabit Ethernet and Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) capabilities in a compact, modular form. Equipped with 12 QSFP+ ports, this module is purpose-built for spine-leaf deployments, storage convergence, and accelerated application workloads. It provides the reliability, performance, and flexibility needed to consolidate Ethernet and storage traffic, simplify cabling, and future-proof your data center as demand grows. Whether you’re modernizing a legacy infrastructure or building a new multi-tenant environment, the Nexus 5696Q is designed to integrate with the Cisco Nexus NX-OS ecosystem, delivering proven virtualization, security, and automation features that streamline operations, improve efficiency, and reduce total cost of ownership.

• High-density 40G uplinks and FCoE ready: The Nexus 5696Q offers 12 QSFP+ ports that support 40GBASE-X Ethernet and Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE). This enables you to consolidate data and storage traffic over a single fabric, reducing cabling complexity and enabling streamlined server-to-storage connectivity in dense data centers.
• Flexible deployment for modern data-center designs: Designed for spine-leaf architectures, the 5696Q supports scalable growth with modular expansion, enabling you to add capacity as workloads expand. Its dense port configuration makes it ideal for aggregation layers, top-of-rabric connectivity, and virtualized environments that demand consistent performance with low latency.
• Robust performance with low latency and deterministic behavior: Built to handle demanding workloads, the 5696Q provides predictable throughput and low jitter, ensuring responsive application delivery, faster VM migration, and stable storage I/O. This reliability is essential for latency-sensitive applications, databases, and multi-tenant clouds.
• Comprehensive management, security, and automation: Seamlessly integrated with Cisco NX-OS and ecosystem tools, the 5696Q supports advanced traffic engineering, policy-based automation, telemetry, and security features. It enables unified management across data center fabrics, simplifies firmware upgrades, and supports programmatic control through APIs for consistent, repeatable operations.
• Energy efficiency, serviceability, and reliability: The module is designed with efficient cooling and modular components to minimize power draw and maximize uptime. Hot-swappable components, proactive health monitoring, and streamlined replacement procedures help maintain service availability with minimal disruption to operations.

Technical Details of Cisco Nexus 5696Q

• Product type: Chassis Module for Cisco Nexus 5696Q series
• Ports: 12 QSFP+ 40GE ports (40GBASE-X), suitable for Ethernet and FCoE traffic
• Expansion: 12 expansion slots to support growth and additional connectivity options
• Fabric and performance: High-density 40G/40GE capable interface; optimized for low latency and consistent throughput
• Management: NX-OS with Cisco management and automation capabilities; compatible with Cisco fabric and virtualization features
• Storage integration: Supports Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) to converge storage and network traffic within the same fabric
• Target deployments: Data centers requiring scalable uplinks, high-bandwidth storage access, and flexible network design

How to install Cisco Nexus 5696Q

• Prepare the chassis: Ensure your data-center chassis is powered down and compatible with the Nexus 5696Q module. Confirm clearance for the module insertion and verify power and cooling specifications align with your environment.
• Seat the module: Insert the 5696Q chassis module into the appropriate expansion slot or frame slot until it is seated securely. Ensure there is no excessive force and that the module latches properly.
• Connect uplinks: Attach 40G QSFP+ cables to the 12 ports, connecting to upstream switches, compute servers, or storage arrays as required by your design. Use breakout cables if your topology requires 4×10G connections from a single QSFP+ port.
• Power up and verify: Restore power and use NX-OS commands to verify module recognition, interface status, and port health. Typical checks include show version, show inventory, and show interface status to confirm all ports are operational.
• Configure for your fabric: Implement VLANs, VRFs, and routing policies as needed. Enable FCoE if storage convergence is part of your design, configure storage connections, and integrate with your management tools for monitoring, automation, and policy enforcement.

Frequently asked questions

• What is the Cisco Nexus 5696Q best suited for? It is designed for data centers requiring high-density 40G Ethernet and FCoE convergence, making it ideal for spine-leaf fabrics, storage-centric workloads, and virtualization-heavy deployments.
• How many 40GE ports does it have? The device features 12 QSFP+ ports that support 40GBASE-X and related 40G Ethernet functionality.
• Does the 5696Q support Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE)? Yes, it is designed to handle FCoE traffic alongside Ethernet to consolidate data and storage networks on a single fabric.
• What software or management platform is required? The module operates within the Cisco NX-OS environment and integrates with Cisco management tools for automation, monitoring, and policy enforcement.
• Can I breakout a QSFP+ port to multiple 10G links? Yes, with appropriate breakout cables and configuration, you can split QSFP+ ports into multiple 10G links as required by your topology.
• Is the module hot-swappable or serviceable without downtime? The Nexus line is designed with serviceability in mind, including hot-swappable components and modular design to minimize downtime during maintenance or upgrades.