DS-C9148S-12PK9 – 12x16G FC Ports – 48-Port 1RU Platform – MDS SAN Switch
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DS-C9148S-12PK9 Description
DS-C9148S-12PK9 is a Cisco MDS 9148S 16G Fibre Channel SAN switch for compact storage-area-network fabrics that need a 1RU fixed switch with 12 enabled Fibre Channel ports at initial deployment. The platform provides 48 fixed Fibre Channel ports with 2, 4, 8, and 16 Gbps autosensing operation, 16 Gbps dedicated bandwidth per port, Cisco MDS 9000 NX-OS 6.2(9) or later support, and a dual 300W AC power-supply configuration with back-to-front airflow toward the port side.
Quick Specs
|
Parameter |
Specification |
|---|---|
|
Product ID |
DS-C9148S-12PK9 |
|
Product type |
16G Fibre Channel SAN switch |
|
Order configuration |
12 enabled ports on a 48-port fixed switch |
|
Active ports at order |
12 Fibre Channel ports |
|
Maximum Fibre Channel ports |
48 Fibre Channel ports |
|
Fibre Channel speed support |
2, 4, 8, and 16 Gbps autosensing |
|
Dedicated bandwidth per port |
16 Gbps |
|
Port activation license |
Cisco MDS 9148S 12-port On-Demand Activation |
|
Included FC optics |
Optics not included in this base PID |
|
Form factor |
1RU fixed switch |
|
Power supply configuration |
Two 300W AC power supplies per switch |
|
Airflow direction |
Back to front, toward ports |
Product Performance
Key Features
Cisco lists DS-C9148S-12PK9 as the MDS 9148S switch with 12 enabled ports. Keep that base-port count visible when comparing it with 48-port orders or optic-included bundles.
The hardware is a 48-port 16G Fibre Channel switch even when this PID is ordered with 12 ports active. That distinction matters when procurement wants a small starting point without changing the switch family later.
The M9148S-PL12 license enables 12 additional Fibre Channel ports. Growth planning should count host, storage, and ISL links before the bill of materials moves from 12 to 24, 36, or 48 active ports.
The Cisco ordering table separates DS-C9148S-12PK9 from DS-C9148S-D12PSK9 and DS-C9148S-D12P8K9 optic bundles. Buyers should add the correct Cisco 16G or 8G FC optics only when the cabling plan calls for them.
Cisco specifies dual redundant hot-swappable power supplies and a hot-swappable fan tray for the MDS 9148S. The rack plan should also match the documented back-to-front airflow direction.
The platform runs Cisco MDS 9000 NX-OS software and is managed through the MDS CLI or Cisco Prime DCNM. Confirm the supported release before staging the switch into an existing fabric.
Application Scenarios
DS-C9148S-12PK9 suits a compact SAN edge or rack-level fabric where 12 active ports cover the first host, storage, and inter-switch links without buying a full 48-port enabled order.
The SKU is useful when the hardware standard should remain MDS 9148S but the active-port count will be licensed in steps. Procurement can start with the base order and add M9148S-PL12 licenses as the port map grows.
Deployed where the switch and optic lines stay separate on the bill of materials, with transceivers sourced as their own line items instead of a factory-bundled optic package.
Product Comparison
|
Parameter |
DS-C9148S-12PK9 |
DS-C9148S-48PK9 |
DS-C9148S-D12PSK9 |
DS-C9148S-D12P8K9 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Product type |
16G Fibre Channel SAN switch |
16G Fibre Channel SAN switch |
16G Fibre Channel SAN switch bundle |
16G Fibre Channel SAN switch bundle |
|
Active ports at order |
12 enabled ports |
48 enabled ports |
12 enabled ports |
12 enabled ports |
|
Maximum Fibre Channel ports |
48 ports |
48 ports |
48 ports |
48 ports |
|
Fibre Channel speed support |
2, 4, 8, and 16 Gbps |
2, 4, 8, and 16 Gbps |
2, 4, 8, and 16 Gbps |
2, 4, 8, and 16 Gbps |
|
Included FC optics |
Optics not included in base PID |
Optics not included in base PID |
12 x 16G SW SFP+ |
12 x 8G SW SFP+ |
|
Port activation path |
M9148S-PL12 adds 12 ports |
Already 48 enabled |
M9148S-PL12 adds 12 ports |
M9148S-PL12 adds 12 ports |
|
Form factor |
1RU fixed switch |
1RU fixed switch |
1RU fixed switch |
1RU fixed switch |
|
Minimum software release |
MDS NX-OS 6.2(9) or later |
MDS NX-OS 6.2(9) or later |
MDS NX-OS 6.2(9) or later |
MDS NX-OS 6.2(9) or later |
|
Airflow direction |
Back to front, toward ports |
Back to front, toward ports |
Back to front, toward ports |
Back to front, toward ports |
- In a DS-C9148S-12PK9 vs DS-C9148S-48PK9 comparison, the key difference is active-port count at order: DS-C9148S-12PK9 starts with 12 enabled ports and DS-C9148S-48PK9 ships with 48 enabled ports.
- The DS-C9148S-12PK9 vs DS-C9148S-D12PSK9 difference is the optical package because both start with 12 enabled ports, but DS-C9148S-D12PSK9 includes 12 x Cisco 16G SW SFP+ optics.
- For DS-C9148S-12PK9 vs DS-C9148S-D12P8K9, the comparison is also an optics decision: the base DS-C9148S-12PK9 does not bundle optics and DS-C9148S-D12P8K9 includes 12 x Cisco 8G SW SFP+ optics.
- Buyers deciding which model to choose should match the first active-port count and optic bundle to the SAN bill of materials before adding port activation licenses.
Selection Guide
1. Start with the active-port requirement
Choose DS-C9148S-12PK9 when the initial fabric needs 12 active FC ports and a documented path to 48 total ports. Move to DS-C9148S-48PK9 only when the first order must activate the full switch.
2. Keep optics as a separate decision
Select this base SKU when optics are ordered as separate line items or already available in the deployment plan. Use DS-C9148S-D12PSK9 or DS-C9148S-D12P8K9 when Cisco SW optics need to be included with the switch order.
3. Plan 12-port growth blocks
Add M9148S-PL12 licenses only after the port schedule shows that 12 active links are no longer enough. The growth increments should map to 24, 36, or 48 enabled ports.
4. Verify software and fabric fit
Confirm MDS NX-OS 6.2(9) or later for the platform and review any optional Enterprise Package or DCNM Advanced requirement before approving the switch and license mix.
Ordering Checklist
|
Check Item |
What to Confirm |
Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
|
Exact switch PID |
DS-C9148S-12PK9 |
Separates the 12-port base switch from 48-port and optic-included bundles |
|
First active-port count |
12 enabled Fibre Channel ports |
Prevents overbuying a full 48-port order or undercounting host, storage, and ISL links |
|
Optic plan |
Separate Cisco FC optics or a D12P optic bundle |
Avoids assuming DS-C9148S-12PK9 includes SW SFP+ optics |
|
Software baseline |
Cisco MDS 9000 NX-OS 6.2(9) or later |
Confirms the operations team can support the MDS 9148S release requirement |
|
Power and cooling |
Two 300W AC power supplies, C15/C16 power connection, and back-to-front airflow |
Aligns rack power, cord region, and cooling direction with the switch hardware |
|
Optional MDS features |
Enterprise Package or DCNM Advanced license requirement |
Separates hardware activation from advanced fabric, security, and management licensing |
Optional Add-ons
|
Model |
Description |
|---|---|
|
M9148S-PL12 |
Cisco MDS 9148S 12-port On-Demand Activation license for port growth |
|
M9148S-PL12= |
Spare 12-port On-Demand Activation license for MDS 9148S |
|
M9148S-DPL12PSG |
12-port activation license bundled with 12 x 16G SW SFP+ optics |
|
M9148S-DPL12P8G |
12-port activation license bundled with 12 x 8G SW SFP+ optics |
|
Cisco MDS 4/8/16-Gbps Fibre Channel SW SFP+ LC optic | |
|
Cisco MDS 2/4/8-Gbps Fibre Channel SW SFP+ LC optic | |
|
DS-C48S-300AC= |
Cisco MDS 9148S AC power supply spare |
|
DS-C48S-FAN= |
Cisco MDS 9148S fan tray spare |
|
M9100ENT1K9 |
Cisco MDS Enterprise Package for one MDS 9100 Series switch |
|
DCNM-SAN-M91-K9 |
Cisco Prime DCNM for SAN Advanced Edition for MDS 9100 |
Specifications
| Parameter | Specification | Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product ID | DS-C9148S-12PK9 | Product compatibility | Cisco MDS 9000 Family |
| Product type | 16G Fibre Channel SAN switch | Order configuration | MDS 9148S switch with 12 enabled ports |
| Form factor | 1RU fixed switch | Rack mounting | Standard 19-inch EIA rack |
| Fibre Channel ports | 48 fixed 16G Fibre Channel ports | Active ports at order | 12 enabled Fibre Channel ports |
| Maximum Fibre Channel ports | 48 enabled Fibre Channel ports | Port activation license | M9148S-PL12 12-port On-Demand Activation license |
| Fibre Channel speed support | 2, 4, 8, and 16 Gbps autosensing | Dedicated bandwidth per port | 16 Gbps |
| Buffer credits | Up to 256 per group of 4 ports | Default buffer credits per port | 64 buffer credits per port |
| Maximum buffer credits for one port | 253 buffer credits within the port group | PortChannel support | Up to 16 physical links |
| Supported standard FC port types | E, F, and FL | Supported enhanced FC port types | SD, ST, and TE |
| FC-NVMe protocol listing | FC-NVMe listed in Cisco protocol specifications | Management Ethernet port | Out-of-band 10/100/1000 Ethernet port |
| Console and USB ports | RS-232 serial console port and USB | Management applications | Cisco MDS 9000 Family CLI and Cisco Prime DCNM |
| Minimum software release | Cisco MDS 9000 NX-OS Software Release 6.2(9) or later | Optional Enterprise license | Cisco MDS 9000 Family Enterprise Package |
| Power supplies | Two 300W AC power supplies per switch | Power connector | Notched C15 socket connector to C16 plug on power supply |
| AC input voltage | 100 to 240V AC with 10 percent range | AC input frequency | 50 to 60 Hz nominal |
| Fan tray | Hot-swappable fan tray with integrated temperature and power management | Airflow direction | Back to front, toward ports |
| System airflow rate | 200 linear feet per minute through system fan assembly | Recommended vent clearance | 2.5 in. air space at chassis vents and 6 in. horizontal chassis separation |
| Dimensions | 1.72 x 17.16 x 16.34 in. (4.37 x 43.59 x 41.50 cm) | Fully configured weight | 19.84 lb (9 kg) |
| Operating temperature | 32 to 104F (0 to 40C) | Storage temperature | -40 to 158F (-40 to 70C) |
| Operating relative humidity | 10 to 90 percent noncondensing | Storage relative humidity | 10 to 95 percent noncondensing |
| Operating altitude | -197 to 6500 ft (-60 to 2000 m) | Supported Cisco optic families | Cisco MDS pluggable transceivers documented separately by Cisco |
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Questions & Answers
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What is DS-C9148S-12PK9 used for?
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How many ports are enabled on DS-C9148S-12PK9?
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What Fibre Channel speed does DS-C9148S-12PK9 support?
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How is DS-C9148S-12PK9 different from MDS 9148T SKUs?
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Does DS-C9148S-12PK9 ship fully licensed for 48 ports?
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What optics planning matters for DS-C9148S-12PK9?
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Is DS-C9148S-12PK9 appropriate for new 32G SAN designs?
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What lifecycle check matters for DS-C9148S-12PK9?
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