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N55-M160L3
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Cisco N55-M160L3 Nexus 5500 Layer 3 Expansion Module
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Name:
N55-M160L3
- Description:
- Cisco N55-M160L3 Nexus 5500 Layer 3 Expansion Module
- Rating:
Added to cart 28 times recently
- Availability:
Ready to Ship
- Brand:
- Cisco
- GTIN:
- 0720917540924
- Condition:
Certified Refurbished
Professionally inspected, bench-tested, and firmware-verified, with configurations wiped. Restored to full working order and backed by our warranty.
- Warranty:
- 90
- Price:
$315.00
Quantity:
1
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Internal Routing Hardware for Existing Data Centers
N55-M160L3 is an internal Layer 3 expansion module, not a standalone Ethernet switch. The Cisco Nexus 5596 Layer 3 Expansion Module supplies routing hardware for discontinued Nexus 5596UP and Nexus 5596T chassis rather than adding access ports or uplink cages. Existing chassis interfaces carry the routed traffic. This Nexus 5500 component is an original-revision replacement for installed data center equipment; the host chassis provides the network connections and system management. Match the complete module PID and host model when specifying a replacement.
N55-M160L3 price for new stock is $6,930.00. N55-M160L3 refurb price is $315.00. N55-M160L3 is in stock and available for next-day dispatch. (terms applied)
Request bulk order quote for N55-M160L3 for additional pricing. Browse the full Cisco Nexus 5500 Switches series or explore all Cisco products.
Technical Details
160 Gbps of Layer 3 forwarding is shared across the host chassis's I/O ports, so routed traffic must be sized against the module's shared processing capability. 240 Mpps is the corresponding Layer 3 forwarding rate, not the host's separate Layer 2 performance. N55-M160L3 supplies routing processing rather than additional Ethernet interfaces. Hardware installation and software activation are separate steps: the host must have the appropriate routing license installed before the routing functions are available.
Ordering
N55-M160L3 is offered new sealed or certified refurbished; refurbished modules are inspected and bench-tested for power-on, POST and clean boot. Specify condition and quantity on the PO: ORM warranties are up to a 3-year extended term for new units and up to 1 year for certified refurbished units, with 30-day returns on every condition, terms apply. Cisco's original 1-year limited hardware warranty no longer provides coverage; Cisco service ended April 30, 2022. Enterprise and volume POs are accepted, with Net-30 for government, RMA with advance replacement, and regional stock/RMA across the UK, EU, US and MEA.
Key Specs
| Key Specs | Key Spec Values |
|---|---|
License Tier | Layer 3 Base; manual host installation required. |
Port Configuration | Internal routing module; no external data ports. |
Lifecycle Status | Cisco support ended April 30, 2022. |
Replacement PID | N55-M160L3-V2 discontinued; no current module successor. |
N55-M160L3 Specifications
- Manufacturer Part Number
- N55-M160L3
- Brand
- Cisco
- Series
- Nexus 5500
- Use Case
- Data Center
- Management Type
- Managed
- Layer
- Layer 3
- RJ-45 Access Port Count
- 0
- Power Input
- Host chassis
- Switching Capacity
- 160 Gbps
- Forwarding Rate
- 240 Mpps
- IPv4 Route Scale
- 8000 Routes
- Form Factor
- Modular
- Cisco Warranty
- Ended April 30, 2022.
Best For
Original Revision Sparing
When an installed chassis needs an original-revision routing spare, the 8000-host and 4000-multicast-route limits distinguish this hardware from later revisions. Match the failed module's complete PID to the replacement line item, and record the required hardware revision before issuing the PO.
Planned Maintenance Staging
When a maintenance team plans a module change, the host must be powered down before insertion or removal. A running chassis is not an installation option for this hardware. Include shutdown, physical replacement and post-boot verification in the maintenance plan before ordering.
Not Suitable If
Insertion without a chassis shutdown
N55-M160L3 is not hot-swappable; insertion or removal requires powering down the host chassis. Schedule an outage rather than an online module replacement.
Current Cisco service eligibility
Cisco support ended April 30, 2022. The discontinued successor N55-M160L3-V2 also reached end of support, on May 31, 2024, with no current module successor.
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Product Comparison Table 
| N55-M160L3 |  N5K-C5548UP-FA |  N55-M16P |  N55-M16UP |  N5K-C5596UP-FA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | Modular | Rack-Mount 1U | Modular | Modular | Rack-Mount 2U |
| Manufacturer Part Number | N55-M160L3 | N5K-C5548UP-FA | N55-M16P | N55-M16UP | N5K-C5596UP-FA |
Compliance & Warranty
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Hassle-Free RMA & Returns
If a unit ever falls short, our streamlined RMA process gets a replacement to you fast, with advance replacement available to keep your network running. No jargon, no runaround.
Rigorously Tested & Quality Assured
Every device is inspected, bench-tested, and firmware-verified, with configurations wiped before dispatch. Additional testing can be arranged to confirm full working condition on request.
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Questions & Answers
What does part number N55-M160L3 identify?
N55-M160L3 identifies the original Nexus 5596 Layer 3 expansion module, not a complete switch. The full part number identifies routing hardware for an existing chassis. Use the exact PID when requesting an original-revision replacement rather than interpreting the digits as an Ethernet port count.
How is N55-M160L3 managed?
N55-M160L3 is managed through the host's Cisco NX-OS environment, using console, SSHv2 or Telnet CLI access. Additional management paths include SNMP, XML NETCONF, Cisco DCNM, Cisco Fabric Manager and CiscoWorks LMS. These are host-level tools, not independent management interfaces on the module.
Is N55-M160L3 discontinued?
N55-M160L3 is discontinued: sales ended April 30, 2017, and Cisco support ended April 30, 2022. The discontinued successor N55-M160L3-V2 reached its last support date on May 31, 2024. That successor has no current module replacement, so changing revisions does not restore Cisco service eligibility.
What conditions and warranties does ORM offer for N55-M160L3?
ORM offers N55-M160L3 new sealed or certified refurbished, with up to a 3-year extended warranty for new units and up to 1 year for certified refurbished units. Returns are 30 days for either condition; terms apply. Cisco's original 1-year limited hardware warranty no longer provides coverage; Cisco service ended April 30, 2022.
Which licensing paths apply to N55-M160L3?
N55-M160L3 uses chassis-level Layer 3 Base licensing, N55-BAS1K9, with N55-LAN1K9 for Layer 3 Enterprise. Individual licenses or Cisco ONE suites cover software purchasing. The included base license requires manual installation; confirm the existing host's entitlement before adding the routing module.
Which switches accept the Nexus 5596 Layer 3 Expansion Module?
The Nexus 5596 Layer 3 Expansion Module fits the discontinued Nexus 5596UP and Nexus 5596T switches. The module installs inside a compatible host rather than operating as a separate switch. Confirm the chassis model and existing module revision when specifying replacement hardware for an installed system.
Can N55-M160L3 be replaced while the switch is running?
No, N55-M160L3 cannot be inserted or removed while the host switch is running. Power down the chassis before either operation. The routing module differs from expansion cards that permit online replacement, so the host shutdown must be included in the maintenance plan.
What forwarding performance does the Nexus 5596 Layer 3 Expansion Module provide?
The Nexus 5596 Layer 3 Expansion Module provides 160 Gbps and 240 Mpps of Layer 3 forwarding, shared across the host's I/O ports. Those figures describe routing processing rather than additional interfaces. Size routed traffic against that shared capability, separately from the host's Layer 2 switching capacity.
What is the difference between N55-M160L3 and N55-M160L3-V2?
N55-M160L3 supports 8000 host entries and 4000 multicast routes; N55-M160L3-V2 increases those limits to 16000 and 8000 with compatible software. Both are discontinued, with no current module successor. The original matches original-revision spares; the later revision addresses higher table requirements in legacy installations.
How many Layer 3 expansion modules can a Nexus 5596 chassis use?
A Nexus 5596 chassis supports one Layer 3 expansion module per system. Additional expansion positions do not permit multiple routing modules to be combined for greater routing capacity. For a replacement order, distinguish the single installed routing module from the host's other expansion cards.