Cisco N5696-M20UP: High-Density 20-Port Multi-Gigabit Uplink Module

Product Overview

The Cisco N5696-M20UP is a 20-port Multi-Gigabit uplink module designed for the Cisco Nexus 5600 and 6000 Series switches, providing flexible connectivity options for modern data center and enterprise networks. This high-density module delivers scalable performance with backward compatibility, making it ideal for leaf-spine architectures and top-of-rack deployments.

Key Features & Specifications

Hardware Architecture

• Port Configuration:

• 20 x 1/2.5/5/10GBASE-T RJ-45 ports (auto-sensing)

• Optional SFP+ variant (N5696-M20UP-SFP) available

• Performance Capacity:

• 200Gbps aggregate throughput

• Non-blocking architecture with wire-speed forwarding

• <3µs latency for latency-sensitive applications

• Physical Design:

• Hot-swappable module

• Energy-efficient design (4W per port typical)

• Extended operating range (0°C to 50°C)

Software & Feature Support

• Cisco NX-OS Compatibility:

• Full VXLAN/EVPN support

• Advanced buffer monitoring for lossless fabrics

• Telemetry streaming for analytics

• Deployment Scenarios:

• WiFi 6/7 backhaul aggregation

• High-performance storage connectivity

• AI/ML workload clustering

• Hybrid cloud gateways

Reliability Features

✔ Hitless firmware upgrades
✔ Per-port power monitoring
✔ Dynamic buffer allocation
✔ MACsec 256-bit encryption

Next-Generation Successor: N5696-M40Q (Projected 2026 Release)

Evolutionary Improvements

Strategic Advantages

1. 25G Ready - Native support for 25G with auto-negotiation

2. Double Density - 40 ports in same form factor

3. AI-Optimized Fabric - Machine learning for congestion prediction

4. Flexible Deployment - Supports both copper and fiber variants

5. Future-Proof - Designed for 400G spine architectures

Migration Considerations

• Phased Upgrade Path:

• 10G to 25G migration without hardware swap

• Gradual port speed transition

• Financial Benefits:

• 50% better $/port economics

• ROI in 12 months through power savings

• Investment protection with backward compatibility

Conclusion

The N5696-M20UP provides cost-effective multi-gigabit connectivity, while the N5696-M40Q delivers:

• 40-port density with 25G capability

• Sub-microsecond latency

• Terabit-scale throughput

• AI-driven fabric optimization

• Ultra-low power consumption

Alternative Title Concepts

1. "From Multi-Gig to 25G: The Uplink Revolution"

2. "Double the Ports, 5x the Throughput"

3. "The AI-Ready Data Center Uplink"

4. "Next-Gen Performance for Modern Workloads"