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Cisco N5K-C5696Q-RF Nexus 5696Q Switch Chassis - 8 Expansion Slots - Layer 3 - 4U Rack-Mountable - Refurbished
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Product Features
Technical Overview
This chassis delivers a flexible architecture with eight expansion slots dedicated to line cards, allowing network architects to customize port density, interface types, and feature sets. Layer 3 support enables IP routing, VLAN routing, and dynamic routing protocols for efficient traffic management.
The integrated power supply system ensures stable voltage delivery to all chassis components. Manageability features provide granular control over configuration, monitoring, and troubleshooting through industry-standard protocols and interfaces.
Relevant factors for this section include Port/Expansion Slot Details, Total Number of Expansion Slots, Expansion Slot Type. When those points are considered together, they give buyers a clearer picture of how the product is equipped, how it fits into deployment, and what kind of day-to-day role it is meant to support.
A strong technical summary explains how the product's interfaces, hardware profile, and operating characteristics work together in real deployment. Buyers often need this context to confirm compatibility with existing devices, expected performance in daily use, and whether installation will be straightforward for IT staff or end users.
Key Product Advantages
The Nexus 5696Q chassis offers significant advantages for network expansion and future-proofing. Its modular design allows incremental investment in line cards as port or feature requirements grow, protecting capital while maintaining architectural consistency.
Scalable Port Architecture
Eight line card slots enable flexible port expansion with various Ethernet, fiber, or converged network adapters to match evolving connectivity needs.
- Customizable port density
- Mixed interface support
- Future-ready slot capacity
Enterprise-Grade Management
Full manageability provides centralized control over switching policies, quality of service, security features, and network monitoring.
- Granular configuration control
- Comprehensive monitoring
- Policy-based management
Rack-Optimized Deployment
The 4U form factor fits standard 19-inch racks while providing ample internal space for power supplies and cooling systems.
- Standard rack compatibility
- Efficient space utilization
- Professional cable management
Deployment / Use Cases
This chassis is ideal for core switching layers in medium to large enterprise networks, data center aggregation points, and service provider edge deployments. Its expansion capacity supports gradual network growth without chassis replacement.
Typical implementations include building network cores with high port density, creating resilient switching fabrics with redundant line cards, and deploying feature-rich switching for virtualized environments or cloud connectivity.
Relevant factors for this section include Port/Expansion Slot Details, Total Number of Expansion Slots, Expansion Slot Type. When those points are considered together, they give buyers a clearer picture of how the product is equipped, how it fits into deployment, and what kind of day-to-day role it is meant to support.
Data Center Core Switching
Serve as the foundational switching platform for data center networks, providing high throughput and low latency between server racks, storage arrays, and uplinks.
Enterprise Network Backbone
Deploy as the central switching chassis in campus or large office networks, aggregating traffic from access switches and distributing it to core services.
Physical Profile
The chassis measures 6.97 inches in height, 17.30 inches in width, and 30 inches in depth, fitting standard 19-inch rack enclosures. The rack-mountable design includes appropriate mounting hardware for secure installation in data center racks or network closets.
The 4U height provides sufficient internal volume for six power supplies and four fan modules, ensuring adequate power delivery and thermal management for fully loaded configurations.
- Width
- 17.30" (439.42 mm)
- Depth
- 30" (762 mm)
- Height
- 6.97" (177.04 mm)
Highlights
- Eight expansion slots for line card flexibility
- Layer 3 switching support for advanced routing
- 4U rack-mountable form factor
- Modular chassis architecture
- Fully manageable with enterprise features
- Refurbished condition with testing
- 1-year limited warranty coverage
- RoHS compliant for environmental safety
- Integrated power supply system
- Data center optimized design
Specifications
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Cisco Systems, Inc |
| Manufacturer Part Number | N5K-C5696Q-RF |
| Brand Name | Cisco |
| Product Line | Nexus |
| Product Series | 5000 |
| Product Model | 5696Q |
| Product Name | Nexus 5696Q Chassis 6PS,4 FAN VxLAN |
| Product Condition | Refurbished |
| Product Type | Switch Chassis |
| Interfaces/Ports | |
| Port/Expansion Slot Details | 8 x Expansion Slot |
| I/O Expansions | |
| Total Number of Expansion Slots | 8 |
| Expansion Slot Type | Line Card |
| Network & Communication | |
| Layer Supported | 3 |
| Management & Protocols | |
| Manageable | Yes |
| Power Description | |
| Power Source | Power Supply |
| Physical Characteristics | |
| Compatible Rack Unit | 4U |
| Form Factor | Rack-mountable |
| Height | 6.97" (177.04 mm) |
| Width | 17.30" (439.42 mm) |
| Depth | 30" (762 mm) |
| Miscellaneous | |
| Environmentally Friendly | Yes |
| Environmental Compliance | Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) |
| Warranty | |
| Limited Warranty | 1 Year |
FAQ
What does the 8 expansion slots support in this chassis?
The eight expansion slots accept Cisco Nexus line cards, which provide actual network ports. These slots allow you to add various port types and densities—such as 1GbE, 10GbE, 40GbE, or fiber ports—to customize the switch for your specific connectivity requirements. This modular approach lets you scale port count and capabilities without replacing the entire chassis.
What is Layer 3 support in this switch chassis?
Layer 3 support means the chassis can house line cards that perform IP routing at the network layer. This enables advanced features like inter-VLAN routing, dynamic routing protocols (OSPF, BGP), and policy-based routing. Layer 3 capability is essential for segmenting networks, improving traffic efficiency, and building scalable enterprise or data center networks beyond basic Layer 2 switching.
How many rack units does this chassis occupy?
The chassis occupies 4 rack units (4U) in a standard 19-inch rack. This height provides sufficient internal space for power supplies, fan modules, and line cards while maintaining a compact footprint. The rack-mountable design includes standard mounting hardware for secure installation in data center or network closet racks.
What does refurbished condition mean for this product?
Refurbished condition indicates the chassis has been professionally inspected, tested, and restored to full working order. It may show minor cosmetic signs of previous use but functions according to original specifications. Refurbished products offer reliable performance at a lower cost than new units and include a 1-year limited warranty for added assurance.
What management capabilities does this chassis offer?
The chassis supports full manageability through industry-standard protocols like SNMP, CLI, and web interfaces. This allows network administrators to configure switching parameters, monitor performance, set quality of service policies, implement security features, and troubleshoot issues. Manageability is essential for maintaining network reliability, security, and performance in enterprise environments.
What warranty comes with this refurbished chassis?
The chassis includes a 1-year limited warranty that covers defects in materials and workmanship. This warranty provides assurance that the product will function as specified during the coverage period. For refurbished items, the warranty typically applies from the date of purchase and may include repair or replacement options for qualified issues.
| Qty | Price | Available |
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