DS-C9396S-48EK9 Cisco MDS 9396S 48-port 16G Multilayer Fabric Switch
DS-C9396S-48EK9 Cisco MDS 9396S 48-Port 16G Fibre Channel Fabric Switch
High-Density, Scalable 16G Fibre Channel Switching for Enterprise SAN Environments
Cisco DS-C9396S-48EK9 MDS 9396S 96-Port Fibre Channel Switch
The Cisco DS-C9396S-48EK9 (MDS 9396S) is a high-performance, enterprise-class Fibre Channel switch built to deliver scalability, ultra-low latency, and high throughput for modern SAN (Storage Area Network) environments. With 48 active 16-Gbps ports, expandable to 96 ports through license upgrades, this switch is ideal for data centers, mission-critical applications, and high-density storage networks.
Designed with 1.5 Tbps switching bandwidth and a line-rate non-blocking architecture, the MDS 9396S ensures consistent performance even under heavy workloads. Its ultra-low latency (< 1 μs) and support for up to 32,000 logins and 4,095 VSANs make it a future-ready solution for organizations scaling their storage infrastructure.
The switch integrates seamlessly with the Cisco NX-OS operating system, offering advanced features such as VSANs, Inter-VSAN Routing (IVR), QoS, zoning, intelligent diagnostics, and flow monitoring tools. With redundant, hot-swappable power supplies and fan trays, the Cisco DS-C9396S ensures high availability and nonstop operations.
Whether used in enterprise SANs, cloud environments, or service provider deployments, the Cisco DS-C9396S provides unmatched scalability, reliability, and efficiency for storage networking.
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Product Specifications: Cisco DS-C9396S-48EK9 – MDS 9396S Fibre Channel Switch
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| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Model Number | DS-C9396S-48EK9 |
| Description | Cisco MDS 9396S high-performance, 96-port Fibre Channel switch with 48 active 16-Gbps ports (expandable to 96 via licensing). Designed for scalable, enterprise-class storage networks with ultra-low latency and high throughput. |
| Form Factor | 2RU rack-mountable |
| Switching Capacity | Up to 1.5 Tbps total switching bandwidth |
| Forwarding Performance | Line-rate non-blocking architecture |
| Active Ports | 48 x 16-Gbps Fibre Channel SFP+ ports (expandable to 96) |
| Port Speed Support | Auto-negotiation for 2/4/8/16 Gbps |
| Scalability | Supports up to 96 line-rate ports with license upgrades |
| Latency | < 1 μs port-to-port |
| Performance Limits | Up to 32,000 active Fibre Channel logins; Up to 4095 concurrent VSANs |
| Supervisor & Management Ports | 2 x Supervisor ports, 1 x USB port, 1 x Console port |
| Feature Set & Capabilities | Layer 2 fabric services, VSAN support, Inter-VSAN Routing (IVR), advanced traffic engineering with QoS and zoning, intelligent diagnostics, flow monitoring tools |
| Operating System | Cisco NX-OS for SAN environments |
| Management Tools | Cisco DCNM (Data Center Network Manager), NX-OS CLI, SNMPv3, Syslog, Secure FTP, Telnet, SSH, HTTPS, RADIUS/TACACS+, RBAC (Role-Based Access Control) |
| Power Supply | Redundant, hot-swappable power supplies |
| Cooling | Redundant, hot-swappable fan trays |
| Power Consumption | ~250–400W depending on configuration |
| Operating Temperature | 0°C to 40°C (32°F to 104°F) |
| Compatibility | Works with Cisco MDS 9000 Series switches and directors, compatible with 16G/8G/4G Fibre Channel transceivers, interoperates with leading SAN storage platforms and FC HBAs |
| Additional Highlights | High availability design with redundancy, support for enterprise SAN scalability, optimized for mission-critical workloads |
FAQs for DS-C9396S-48EK9:
How many ports does the Cisco MDS 9396S support?
It comes with 48 active 16G Fibre Channel ports and can scale up to 96 ports using Cisco port activation licenses.
Is the switch backward compatible with 8G or 4G FC devices?
Yes, each port supports auto-negotiation and can connect to devices operating at 2G, 4G, 8G, or 16G speeds.
Can this switch be managed through Cisco DCNM?
Yes, Cisco Data Center Network Manager (DCNM) provides centralized management, monitoring, and provisioning for MDS 9000 Series switches.
Does it support Virtual SANs (VSANs)?
Absolutely. The MDS 9396S supports up to 4095 VSANs and includes features like IVR for inter-VSAN routing.
Is the DS-C9396S-48EK9 suitable for large SAN environments?
Yes, its high density, scalability to 96 ports, and intelligent SAN features make it ideal for large enterprise SANs requiring performance and reliability.
