Today's data centers are increasingly filled with dense rack-mount & blade servers that host powerful multicore processors. The rapid increase in in-rack computing density & the increasing use of virtualization software combine to accelerate the demand for 10 Gigabit Ethernet & consolidated I/O: applications for which the Cisco Nexus 5000 series switches are an excellent match. With low latency, front-to-back cooling, & rear-facing data ports, the Cisco Nexus 5000 series is designed for a broad range of physical, virtual, storage access, & high-performance computing environments, thus giving customers the flexibility to meet & scale their data center requirements in a gradual manner & at a pace that aligns with their business objectives.