DS-X9448-768K9 MDS 9700 48 Port 16GBPS Fibre Channel Switch Module
Cisco DS-X9448-768K9 MDS 9700 48-Port 16Gbps Fibre Channel Module
High-Density, Non-Blocking SAN Connectivity for Enterprise Storage Networks
The Cisco DS-X9448-768K9 is a high-performance 48-port 16-Gbps Fibre Channel switching module engineered for the Cisco MDS 9700 Series Multilayer Directors, delivering non-blocking, line-rate performance for enterprise-class Storage Area Networks (SANs). With an aggregate bandwidth of 768 Gbps per module, this director-class line card is designed to meet the demanding requirements of virtualized data centers, cloud storage environments, and mission-critical enterprise storage fabrics.
Each of the 48 ports supports autosensing 2/4/8/16 Gbps Fibre Channel speeds, enabling seamless integration with legacy infrastructure while providing a high-speed upgrade path. Advanced hardware-based forwarding ensures predictable performance, while Virtual Output Queuing (VOQ) eliminates head-of-line blocking to maintain consistent throughput across all workloads.
Built for scalability, the DS-X9448-768K9 enables up to 768 Fibre Channel ports in a fully populated MDS 9718 chassis, supporting large-scale SAN consolidation. Integrated diagnostics such as Cisco GOLD, Fibre channel ping, and traceroute simplify troubleshooting and enhance operational efficiency. The module also supports enterprise SAN features including VSANs, Inter-VSAN Routing (IVR), intelligent zoning, and secure fabric services, ensuring segmentation, security, and traffic optimization.
Designed for high availability, this hot-swappable module allows maintenance and upgrades without downtime, making it ideal for environments where storage availability is critical.
Product Specifications – Cisco DS-X9448-768K9 Fibre Channel Switching Module
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| Specification Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Product Name | Cisco DS-X9448-768K9 Fibre Channel Switching Module |
| Manufacturer | Cisco Systems |
| Part Number | DS-X9448-768K9 |
| Device Type | 16Gb Fibre Channel Switching Module |
| Designed For | Cisco MDS 9700 Series Multilayer Directors |
| Chassis Compatibility | Cisco MDS 9706, MDS 9710, MDS 9718 |
| Port Density | 48 × Fibre Channel ports |
| Interface Type | SFP+ (Small Form-factor Pluggable Plus) |
| Supported Port Speeds | Auto-sensing 2 / 4 / 8 / 16 Gbps |
| Aggregate Bandwidth | 768 Gbps full-duplex per module |
| Forwarding Mode | Non-blocking, line-rate hardware forwarding |
| Buffer Credits | 500 per port (up to 4096 per port group) |
| Maximum Ports per Chassis | Up to 768 ports (MDS 9718 fully populated) |
| Traffic Management | Virtual Output Queuing (VOQ) to prevent head-of-line blocking |
| Diagnostics & Monitoring | Cisco GOLD, Fibre Channel Ping, Traceroute, port diagnostics |
| SAN Services Support | VSANs, IVR (Inter-VSAN Routing), zoning, fabric security |
| Security Features | Hardware-based zoning enforcement and secure fabric services |
| High Availability | Hot-swappable module; supports director-class redundancy |
| Scalability Model | Pay-as-you-grow port activation and SAN expansion |
| Forwarding Engine | Dedicated hardware-based switching ASIC |
| Performance Architecture | Line-rate throughput on all ports simultaneously |
| Protocol Support | Fibre Channel (FC), FCP, FC-SP security extensions |
| Management | Cisco DCNM, CLI, SNMP, syslog, Fabric Manager |
| Typical Use Cases | Enterprise SANs, storage consolidation, virtualization fabrics, mission-critical storage networks |
| Environmental & Power | Powered and cooled by the MDS 9700 chassis |
| Hot-Swappable | Yes |
| Compliance & Standards | Fibre Channel standards compliant; enterprise SAN interoperability |
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FAQs:
Q1. Is this module compatible with the older MDS 9500 series chassis?
No. The DS-X9448-768K9 is designed exclusively for the MDS 9700 Series Directors and will not fit or function in the MDS 9500 series.
Q2. Does this module support 32Gbps Fibre Channel?
No. This specific module is rated for 16Gbps. If 32Gbps performance is required, you would need the DS-X9648-1536K9 module and the corresponding 32G-capable optics.
Q3. Are the SFP+ transceivers included with the module?
No. Transceivers (short-range or long-range) must be purchased separately. This module supports Cisco MDS 16-Gbps and 8-Gbps Fibre Channel SFP+ optics.
Q4. What is the benefit of the high buffer-to-buffer credit count?
High buffer credits allow the module to maintain line-rate performance over longer distances or in high-congestion environments by preventing the loss of frames during transmission.
Q5. Does this module support FCoE?
No. This is a dedicated Fibre Channel module. For FCoE support in an MDS 9700 chassis, a specialized FCoE module (like the DS-X9848-480K9) is required.
