Cisco Nexus 5548UP vs 93180YC-FX
The 93180YC-FX is the modern Cloud Scale replacement for the end-of-life 5548UP: it jumps from 32x 10G ports to 48x 25G ports, adds 40/100G QSFP uplinks, sub-microsecond latency, wire-rate MACsec, and runs NX-OS or ACI. If you are still on a 5548UP, this is the upgrade.
Cisco Nexus 5548UP
1RU 10GbE unified-port switch with 32x 1/10G SFP+ ports and one expansion slot, up to 960 Gbps and FCoE/FC.
- 32x 1/10GbE SFP+ unified ports plus one expansion module slot
- Up to 960 Gbps throughput; ports do Ethernet, FCoE, or 8/4/2/1G FC
- Classic FEX aggregation parent for Nexus 2000
- End-of-sale and end-of-life; no 25G or 40/100G path
Cisco Nexus 93180YC-FX
1RU Cloud Scale leaf with 48x 1/10/25G SFP28 ports and 6x 40/100G QSFP28 uplinks, MACsec, and NX-OS or ACI.
- 48x 1/10/25G SFP28 ports plus 6x 40/100G QSFP28 uplinks
- 3.6 Tbps throughput with sub-microsecond latency
- Wire-rate MACsec on all ports, 40 MB Cloud Scale buffer
- Runs NX-OS or ACI; downlinks support 16/32G FC for FCoE/FC
Cisco Nexus 5548UP vs Cisco Nexus 93180YC-FX: spec comparison
| Spec | Cisco Nexus 5548UP | Cisco Nexus 93180YC-FX |
|---|---|---|
| Form factor | 1RU | 1RU |
| Data ports | 32x 1/10G SFP+ | 48x 1/10/25G SFP28 |
| Uplinks | Via expansion module (10G/40G) | 6x 40/100G QSFP28 |
| Switching throughput | Up to 960 Gbps | 3.6 Tbps |
| Per-port top speed | 10 Gbps | 25 Gbps (uplink 100 Gbps) |
| Latency | Approx. 1 microsecond (cut-through) | Under 1 microsecond |
| MACsec encryption | No | Wire-rate MACsec on all ports |
| Storage / FC | Unified ports, 8/4/2/1G native FC, FCoE | 16/32G FC on downlinks, FCoE |
| Shared buffer | Standard 5500 buffer | 40 MB Cloud Scale |
| Software | NX-OS | NX-OS or ACI |
| Lifecycle status | End-of-sale / end-of-life | Current shipping switch |
Choose Cisco Nexus 5548UP if
Keep the 5548UP only to sustain a legacy FCoE or FEX-aggregation row short-term where re-architecting is not yet funded. It cannot reach 25G or 100G and is past end-of-life.
Choose Cisco Nexus 93180YC-FX if
Choose the 93180YC-FX for any refresh or new leaf: 25G server access, 100G uplinks, MACsec encryption, and the option to run ACI fabric mode, with 16/32G FC if you still need storage on the same box.
Verdict
Migrate to the 93180YC-FX. It replaces 10G access with 48 ports of 25G, adds 100G uplinks and line-rate MACsec, and runs NX-OS or ACI, while the 5548UP is end-of-life at 10G. Retain a 5548UP only as a short bridge for an existing FCoE deployment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the replacement for the Cisco Nexus 5548UP?
For modern leaf and access roles, the Cisco Nexus 93180YC-FX (N9K-C93180YC-FX) is the typical replacement, moving from 10G to 25G access with 100G uplinks and MACsec.
Is the Nexus 5548UP end of life?
Yes. The 5548UP and the Nexus 5500 platform have reached end-of-sale and end-of-life, so Cisco directs new designs to the Nexus 9300 Cloud Scale switches.
Can the 93180YC-FX still do Fibre Channel and FCoE?
Yes. Its 48 downlinks can run as 16/32G Fibre Channel ports and the switch supports FCoE, so storage workloads from a 5548UP can be carried forward.
Does the 93180YC-FX support ACI?
Yes. The 93180YC-FX runs in either standalone NX-OS mode or as an ACI leaf, which the 5548UP never supported.
More Nexus comparisons
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