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N55-M16UP
Cisco N55-M16UP Nexus 5500 16-Port 10 Gigabit Unified Port E...
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N55-M16UP is a unified port expansion module for Nexus 5500 data center switches, not a standalone switch. Its 16 SFP/SFP+ interfaces support 1/10 Gigabit Ethernet, FCoE or native Fibre Channel at 1G, 2G, 4G or 8G. Ethernet and native Fibre Channel are mutually exclusive on the same physical interface, so the connection plan determines each port's role. The discontinued N55-M16UP-B-FC package adds 16 Fibre Channel transceivers and a 16-port storage license; distinguish that bundle from the base module when matching an existing installation.
N55-M16UP price for new stock is $462.00. N55-M16UP refurb price is $55.59. N55-M16UP is in stock and available for free next-day delivery. (terms applied)
Request bulk order quote for N55-M16UP for additional pricing. Browse the full Cisco Nexus 5500 Switches series or explore all Cisco products.
N55-M16UP operates through the host's NX-OS control plane and does not add Layer 3 routing hardware. Administrators use the chassis CLI through console, SSHv2 or Telnet access; SNMP and XML NETCONF provide additional integration paths. Cisco Fabric Manager, Cisco DCNM and CiscoWorks LMS also support host management. Orange markings identify the unified interfaces, while a status LED, ejector lever and captive screw assist installation checks. Routed operation requires separate routing hardware and the appropriate host licenses rather than this port expansion alone.
Specify N55-M16UP in new sealed or certified refurbished condition, with quantities and included items confirmed on the purchase order. Certified refurbished modules are inspected and bench-tested; every port links at rated speed and optics bay recognition is verified. ORM provides up to a 3-year extended warranty for new units and up to 1 year for certified refurbished units, with 30-day returns on every condition, terms apply; Cisco support ended May 31, 2024. Enterprise and volume POs are accepted, with Net-30 for government, RMA with advance replacement, and regional stock and RMA handling across the UK, EU, US and MEA.
| Key Specs | Key Spec Values |
|---|---|
Operating System | NX-OS through the host chassis |
Port Configuration | 16 unified Ethernet / FCoE / native Fibre Channel interfaces |
Lifecycle Status | Sale ended May 5, 2019 / Support ended May 31, 2024 |
In a large-scale cloud provider rollout, IT architects pre-stage the N55-M16UP module as a hot spare on Nexus 5500 chassis to enable instant activation of 16 high-density 10/40/100 GbE links. This approach minimizes provisioning time during rack population, accelerates service turn-up by 50%, and guarantees consistent port density without new hardware lead times.
A global finance firm deploys the N55-M16UP spare in its core switching layer to replace faulty line cards without network interruption. The unified ports module supports in-place replacement under load, reducing mean time to repair (MTTR) by up to 75% and sustaining 99.999% availability for mission-critical trading applications.
A university IT team leverages the spare N55-M16UP on Nexus 5500 switches to consolidate multiple 10 GbE uplinks into 16 flexible 100 GbE ports. This unified-port strategy cuts cabling complexity by 60%, boosts aggregate bandwidth to 1.6 Tbps per chassis, and streamlines management with a single module upgrade path.
An installed Nexus 5548P or Nexus 5548UP has one expansion slot, so adding connections requires checking the card already fitted in that bay. Treat the module purchase as an expansion-slot decision rather than an additional standalone switch. Confirm slot availability and the existing card's function before the purchase order.
When staging mixed Ethernet and native Fibre Channel connections, port allocation follows a fixed order: Ethernet starts at the first module port, and Fibre Channel starts at the last. Record that allocation before configuration changes, then specify the required interface roles, media quantities and existing storage entitlements on the purchase order.
Standalone switching without a host chassis
N55-M16UP is an expansion module rather than a complete switch. Operation requires a compatible Nexus 5500 host chassis; the module cannot operate as an independent switching appliance.
25G or faster Ethernet connections
Native Ethernet connectivity stops at 10G on these unified interfaces. Requirements for 25G or faster Ethernet links exceed the module's supported interface speeds.
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| Product image | Part Number | Product Title | Price | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | N55-D160L3-V2 | Nexus 5548 Layer 3 Daughter Card, Version 2, Spare | ||
 | N55-M160L3-V2 | Nexus 5596 Layer 3 Expansion Module, Version 2, Spare |
| N55-M16UP | N55-M160L3-V2 | N55-D160L3-V2 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | Modular | PCIe | PCIe |
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New products are backed by up to 3 years of extended warranty, and certified refurbished units by up to 90 days, for dependable protection on every order. The exact term is confirmed on your quote, order confirmation and invoice.
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Reviewed on the 9 June 2023
The Nexus 5500 Unified Ports Module 16p has provided exceptional performance. It supports high-speed connectivity and integrates easily into our growing infrastructure.
Reviewed on the 8 October 2024
This module is fast, reliable, and easy to deploy. The N55-M16UP has significantly improved our network's speed and efficiency.
Reviewed on the 24 September 2017
We rely on the N55-M16UP for efficient data transfer. It's a great module for scaling our infrastructure while maintaining high-performance connectivity.
Reviewed on the 9 May 2026
We installed the N55-M16UP, and it's been a reliable addition. It provides fast, reliable connectivity for all devices.
Reviewed on the 21 July 2021
The N55-M16UP module provides great value. It offers high-speed connectivity, making it ideal for our high-demand network applications.
N55-M16UP identifies a Nexus 5500 16-port Unified Port Expansion Module: N55 identifies the family, M identifies the module, 16 gives the port count, and UP identifies unified ports. The configuration supports Ethernet, FCoE or native Fibre Channel rather than an Ethernet-only interface assignment.
N55-M16UP fits Nexus 5548P, Nexus 5548UP, Nexus 5596UP and Nexus 5596T expansion slots. The host must have an available slot and compatible NX-OS software. Match the installed chassis and software before ordering; a similar-looking expansion bay does not establish compatibility with another switch family.
Yes, N55-M16UP can carry Ethernet/FCoE and native Fibre Channel on different ports, but one physical interface cannot run Ethernet and native Fibre Channel simultaneously. Each unified interface needs a selected role. Plan that allocation before choosing connection media or configuring the host chassis.
A Nexus 5500 unified port module is managed through its host using the NX-OS CLI over console, SSHv2 or Telnet. Other management paths include SNMPv1/v2/v3, XML NETCONF, Cisco Fabric Manager, Cisco DCNM and CiscoWorks LMS. Module configuration belongs to the host rather than an independent management interface.
N55-M16UP uses the host's installed and active FCoE license for storage operation, without an additional module-specific license. Legacy host licensing paths include individual feature licenses and Cisco ONE Foundation or Advanced perpetual suites. A module order does not itself add storage entitlements or create a new subscription requirement.
N55-M16UP is the base module, while N55-M16UP-B-FC packages the module with 16 Fibre Channel transceivers and a 16-port storage license. Both are discontinued, without a direct replacement module. The base part addresses module replacement; the bundle identifies an originally packaged storage configuration.
N55-M16UP provides 16 unified interfaces, whereas N55-M12T provides 12 10GBASE-T Ethernet ports and fits only Nexus 5596T. Both modules are discontinued, without direct replacements. The unified module addresses Ethernet and native Fibre Channel connections; the copper module addresses an existing 10GBASE-T expansion requirement.
N55-M16UP presents 16 individual unified interfaces, while N55-M4Q presents four QSFP interfaces operating only in 4x10G mode. Both are discontinued, without direct replacement modules. The unified module addresses Ethernet and native Fibre Channel allocations; the QSFP module addresses grouped 10G Ethernet connections rather than native 40G links.
N55-M16UP reached end of sale on May 5, 2019, and Cisco support ended May 31, 2024. No direct replacement module is named. Remaining inventory and refurbished purchases retain the original compatibility limits and do not restore manufacturer support or restart the product's lifecycle.
ORM Systems offers N55-M16UP new sealed with up to a 3-year extended warranty or certified refurbished with up to 1 year. Returns are 30 days on every condition, terms apply. Cisco's original 1-year limited hardware warranty no longer provides support, which ended May 31, 2024.
United States
