DS-C9124V-8EK9 – 8x64G FC Ports – 24-Port 1RU Chassis – Exhaust SAN Switch
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DS-C9124V-8EK9 Description
DS-C9124V-8EK9 is a Cisco MDS 9124V 64G Fibre Channel SAN switch for storage access at the server edge, ordered as the port-side-exhaust base configuration with 8 active ports on a 24-port 1RU chassis. It provides 64-Gbps dedicated bandwidth per Fibre Channel port with 8/16/32/64-Gbps autosensing, 1.5 Tbps aggregate end-to-end full-duplex bandwidth, four fan trays, and two 500W AC power supplies in the exhaust airflow variant, making it a compact MDS 9000 Family switch for SAN designs that need initial 8-port activation with expansion headroom across the 24-port chassis.
Quick Specs
|
Parameter |
Specification |
|---|---|
|
Product ID |
DS-C9124V-8EK9 |
|
Product type |
64G Fibre Channel SAN switch |
|
Form factor |
1RU fixed-switch form factor |
|
Fibre Channel ports |
24 SFP+ ports on the chassis |
|
Active ports at order |
8 active ports |
|
Fibre Channel speed support |
8, 16, 32, and 64 Gbps autosensing |
|
Dedicated bandwidth per port |
64 Gbps |
|
Aggregate bandwidth |
1.5 Tbps end-to-end full duplex |
|
Port group |
1 port group of 24 ports |
|
Minimum NX-OS release |
Cisco MDS 9000 NX-OS Release 9.3(1) or later |
|
Fan modules |
4 fan trays |
|
Airflow direction |
Port-side exhaust |
|
Port activation license |
M9124V-PL8 8-port upgrade license |
Product Performance
Key Features
DS-C9124V-8EK9 gives SAN teams a 24-port MDS 9124V chassis in a 1RU form factor, with 8 active ports available from the base order and a 64G FC upgrade path for host or storage links.
This ordering option keeps the optic list under a separate compatibility review. Buyers can pair the switch with Cisco-listed 64G, 32G, or 16G FC optics according to the target fabric and cable distance.
The M9124V-PL8 license lets teams expand beyond the initial 8 active ports without replacing the switch, which helps when SAN growth is staged across storage arrays, HBAs, or rack phases.
The E airflow variant uses port-side exhaust, so the fan tray, PSU, and rack cooling plan should be checked against the intended hot-aisle and cold-aisle design before purchase.
The switch supports Cisco MDS fabric functions such as VSANs, NPV, IVR, port channels, zoning, telemetry, diagnostics, and NX-API management under the required Cisco MDS NX-OS release.
Cisco lists hot-swappable fan trays, dual redundant power supplies, and hot-swappable SFP+ optics for the MDS 9124V, which helps simplify receiving, sparing, and maintenance planning.
Application Scenarios
DS-C9124V-8EK9 covers first-phase SAN builds with 8 active 64G Fibre Channel ports for hosts, storage arrays, or inter-switch links. The 24-port chassis leaves room to add ports later without moving to a larger switch immediately.
This base hardware SKU keeps optics under a separate engineering compatibility and distance check. It separates the switch order from 64G shortwave, 64G longwave, 32G shortwave, or 32G longwave optic choices.
Use the exhaust variant when the rack airflow plan expects air to move toward the ports. Procurement should keep fan tray, PSU, and spare-part airflow direction aligned so replacement items do not conflict with the installed switch.
Product Comparison
|
Parameter |
DS-C9124V-8EK9 |
DS-C9124V-8PEVK9 |
DS-C9124V-24PEVK9 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Form factor |
1RU fixed switch |
1RU fixed switch |
1RU fixed switch |
1RU fixed switch |
|
Fibre Channel ports |
24 SFP+ ports |
24 SFP+ ports |
24 SFP+ ports |
24 SFP+ ports |
|
Active ports at order |
8 |
8 |
8 |
24 |
|
Fibre Channel speed support |
64 Gbps |
64 Gbps |
64 Gbps |
64 Gbps |
|
Included FC optics |
No optic bundle in ordering description |
No optic bundle in ordering description |
8 x 64G shortwave optics |
24 x 64G shortwave optics |
|
Fan modules |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
|
Power supplies |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
Airflow direction |
Port-side exhaust |
Port-side intake |
Port-side exhaust |
Port-side exhaust |
|
Expansion module option |
M9124V-PL8 8-port upgrade license |
M9124V-PL8 8-port upgrade license |
M9124V-PL8 8-port upgrade license |
Fully active 24-port order |
|
Minimum NX-OS release |
Cisco MDS NX-OS 9.3(1) or later |
Cisco MDS NX-OS 9.3(1) or later |
Cisco MDS NX-OS 9.3(1) or later |
Cisco MDS NX-OS 9.3(1) or later |
- DS-C9124V-8EK9 is the exhaust airflow variant for orders where the optic list is managed separately.
- Compare DS-C9124V-8IK9 when the same 8-port base switch is needed with port-side intake airflow.
- Compare DS-C9124V-8PEVK9 or DS-C9124V-24PEVK9 when the purchase should include Cisco 64G shortwave optics from the start.
- For staged SAN expansion, confirm whether the project should begin with 8 active ports or move directly to a 24-active-port bundle.
Selection Guide
1. Match the airflow code to the rack plan
The E code in DS-C9124V-8EK9 points to the exhaust airflow order. Keep the switch, spare fan tray, and spare PSU airflow consistent before requesting price or stock, because the intake variant uses a different order line.
2. Check whether optics belong in the switch bundle
If the design already has approved FC optics, DS-C9124V-8EK9 keeps the hardware line clean. If optics should arrive in the same order, compare the PEV or PET bundle variants by 64G or 32G optic requirement.
3. Plan active ports before the purchase order
The chassis has 24 Fibre Channel ports, but this SKU is ordered with 8 active ports. Add M9124V-PL8 licenses when the deployment schedule needs more active ports for hosts, arrays, or inter-switch links.
4. Confirm software and subscription needs
Cisco lists MDS 9000 NX-OS Release 9.3(1) or later for the platform, and MDS Premier or Advantage subscription choices are optional. Validate feature requirements, Smart Account handling, and support terms before quote release.
Ordering Checklist
|
Check Item |
What to Confirm |
Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
|
Exhaust base PID |
DS-C9124V-8EK9 |
Keeps the order away from intake, optic-bundled, spare, and 24-active-port variants |
|
Cooling hardware |
Port-side exhaust switch, fan tray, and PSU |
Aligns the installed chassis and replacement FRUs with the rack airflow plan |
|
Licensed port start |
8 active ports plus M9124V-PL8 only when more ports are scheduled |
Keeps port licensing matched to the actual SAN cutover count |
|
Separate FC media |
Cisco-listed 64G, 32G, or 16G SW/LW optics |
Matches link speed and fiber reach to host, array, and ISL paths |
|
NX-OS floor |
Cisco MDS 9000 NX-OS Release 9.3(1) or later |
Confirms the software baseline before staging the switch |
|
Power connection |
Regional C15 cord or cabinet jumper cord |
Prevents rack installation delay after receiving |
Optional Add-ons
|
Model |
Description |
|---|---|
|
M9124V-PL8 |
MDS 9124V 64G FC switch 8-port upgrade license |
|
DS-CAC-500W-E= |
MDS 9100 500W port-side exhaust PSU spare for MDS 9124V |
|
DS-C32S-FAN-E= |
MDS switch fan tray spare with port-side exhaust airflow for MDS 9124V |
|
DS-9124V-KIT-CSCO(=) |
MDS 9124V accessory kit for Cisco spare |
|
DS-SFP-FC64G-SW=* |
64G Fibre Channel shortwave optic |
|
DS-SFP-FC64G-LW=* |
64G Fibre Channel longwave optic |
|
DS-SFP-FC32G-SW=* |
32G Fibre Channel shortwave optic |
|
DS-SFP-FC32G-LW=* |
32G Fibre Channel longwave optic |
Specifications
| Parameter | Specification | Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product ID | DS-C9124V-8EK9 | Product compatibility | Cisco MDS 9000 Family |
| Product type | 64G Fibre Channel SAN switch | Form factor | 1RU fixed-switch form factor |
| Fibre Channel ports | 24 SFP+ ports base | Active ports at order | 8 active ports |
| Fibre Channel speed support | 8, 16, 32, and 64 Gbps autosensing | Dedicated bandwidth per port | 64 Gbps |
| Aggregate bandwidth | 1.5 Tbps end-to-end full duplex | Port group | 1 port group of 24 ports |
| Buffer credits | Up to 24,000 for a group of 24 ports | Default buffer credits per port | 1000 buffer credits per port |
| Maximum buffer credits for a single port | 16,000 buffer credits in the port group | Port channel support | Up to 24 load-balanced physical links in one port channel |
| Minimum NX-OS release | Cisco MDS 9000 NX-OS Release 9.3(1) or later | Fibre Channel port types | E and F standard port types; SD, ST, NP, and TE enhanced port types |
| NVMe/FC support | NVMe/FC and NVMe/FC-2 standards listed | Management Ethernet ports | mgmt0 10/100/1000BASE-T port |
| Console port | RS-232 serial console port | USB port | USB power-on auto-provision port |
| Programmability | NX-API HTTP/HTTPS interfaces and onboard Python interpreter | Diagnostics | POST, OHMS, SPAN, Fibre Channel traceroute, Fibre Channel ping, port-level statistics, and link diagnostics |
| High availability components | Hot-swappable dual redundant power supplies, fan tray, and SFP+ optics | Fan modules | 4 fan trays in the ordering description |
| Power supplies | 2 power supplies in the ordering description | Default power supply | DS-CAC-500W-E 500W AC port-side exhaust power supply; two supplies in the order configuration |
| AC input voltage | 100 to 240 VAC, 10 percent range | AC input frequency | 50 to 60 Hz nominal |
| Typical power consumption without optics | 94W for 24-port switch in idle status with no optics modules | Typical power consumption with 8 x 64G SW optics | 113W under 50 percent line rate |
| Typical power consumption with 24 x 64G SW optics | 146W under 50 percent line rate | Airflow direction | Back to front toward ports using port-side exhaust fans |
| System airflow rate | 50 CFM through system fan assembly at 77F (25C) | Maximum airflow rate | 100 CFM maximum |
| Dimensions | 1.72 x 17.299 x 18 in. (4.37 x 43.94 x 45.72 cm), excluding PSU and fan-tray handles | Weight | 18.73 lb (8.5 kg) |
| Operating temperature | 32 to 104F (0 to 40C) with port-side exhaust and intake airflow variants | Operating relative humidity | 10 to 90 percent noncondensing |
| Operating altitude | -197 to 6500 ft (-60 to 2000 m) | Advanced functions | VSAN, IVR, NPV, port channel with multipath load balancing, and flow- and zone-based QoS |
| Fabric services | Name server, RSCN, login services, FCS, broadcast, and in-order delivery | Port activation license | M9124V-PL8 8-port upgrade license |
| Supported FC optics | 64G SW, 64G LW, 32G SW, 32G LW, 32G ELW, 16G SW, 16G LW, and 16G ELW optics |
Get More Information
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