DS-C9396T-48ETK9 – 48x32G FC Ports – 48x32G SW Optics – Exhaust SAN Switch
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DS-C9396T-48ETK9 Description
DS-C9396T-48ETK9 is a Cisco MDS 9396T 32G Fibre Channel SAN switch bundle for 48-port storage fabric access, ordered with 48 active ports, 48 Cisco 32G shortwave optics, two fans, two PSUs, and port-side exhaust airflow.
The main purchasing split is airflow and starting port count. DS-C9396T-48ITK9 keeps the same 48 active ports and 48 shortwave optics but uses port-side intake airflow, while DS-C9396T-96ETK9 keeps exhaust airflow and ships with 96 active ports plus 96 optics.
Quote review should match the rack cooling direction, 32G shortwave multimode fiber plan, Cisco MDS NX-OS 8.3(1) or later, Cisco DCNM 11(0) or later, and any 16-port activation plan for growth beyond the first 48 active ports.
Quick Specs
|
Parameter |
Specification |
|---|---|
|
Product ID |
DS-C9396T-48ETK9 |
|
Product family |
Cisco MDS 9396T |
|
Product type |
32G Fibre Channel SAN switch bundle |
|
Order configuration |
48 active ports, 48 x 32G SW optics, 2 fans, 2 PSUs, port-side exhaust |
|
Active ports at order |
48 Fibre Channel ports |
|
Maximum Fibre Channel ports |
96 SFP+ Fibre Channel ports |
|
Port speed |
4/8/16/32 Gbps autosensing |
|
Included FC optics |
48 x Cisco 32G Fibre Channel shortwave optics |
|
Airflow direction |
Port-side exhaust |
|
Port expansion path |
16-port activation increments to 64, 80, and 96 ports |
|
Power supplies |
2 x 1200W AC/HVAC/HVDC bidirectional PSUs |
|
Minimum NX-OS release |
Cisco MDS NX-OS 8.3(1) or later |
|
Form factor |
2RU rack-mountable switch |
Product Performance
Key Features
DS-C9396T-48ETK9 combines a 48-port active base, 48 Cisco 32G SW optics, two fans, and two PSUs with port-side exhaust airflow. That makes airflow direction a required BOM check, not a cosmetic chassis option.
The MDS 9396T hardware has 96 SFP+ Fibre Channel ports, and Cisco lists 16-port activation increments from the 48-port base to 64, 80, and 96 ports. Buyers can stage capacity without changing the switch family.
The bundle includes Cisco 32G shortwave Fibre Channel optics. Cable planning should align to dual-LC multimode fiber rather than assuming longwave optics or copper media.
Cisco documents six 16-port groups and buffer-credit behavior tied to each group. That matters when storage architects map host, array, and inter-switch links across the first 48 active ports.
The platform uses hot-swappable dual redundant power supplies and hot-swappable fan modules. For this exhaust-airflow PID, spare fan planning should stay aligned with DS-C96S-FAN-E.
Cisco lists MDS NX-OS 8.3(1) or later and Cisco DCNM 11(0) or later for the platform. Existing fabrics should be checked against those versions before the switch is added to the order.
Application Scenarios
DS-C9396T-48ETK9 fits SAN refresh projects that need 48 active 32G Fibre Channel ports with Cisco shortwave optics included on the initial hardware line.
Use this PID when the data center cooling standard requires airflow back to front toward the port side. If the rack standard uses intake airflow at the port side, the 48ITK9 bundle is the documented same-port alternative.
The SKU works for designs that start at 48 active ports but may later add 16-port activations. If all 96 ports are needed at deployment, the 96ETK9 exhaust bundle is the direct comparison point.
Product Comparison
|
Parameter |
DS-C9396T-48ETK9 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Product family |
MDS 9396T |
MDS 9396T |
MDS 9396T |
MDS 9396T |
|
Product type |
32G FC switch bundle |
32G FC switch bundle |
32G FC switch bundle |
32G FC switch bundle |
|
Active ports at order |
48 |
48 |
96 |
96 |
|
Included FC optics |
48 x 32G SW |
48 x 32G SW |
96 x 32G SW |
96 x 32G SW |
|
Airflow direction |
Port-side exhaust |
Port-side intake |
Port-side exhaust |
Port-side intake |
|
Fan modules |
2 fans |
2 fans |
2 fans |
2 fans |
|
Power supplies |
2 PSUs |
2 PSUs |
2 PSUs |
2 PSUs |
|
Maximum Fibre Channel ports |
96 SFP+ ports |
96 SFP+ ports |
96 SFP+ ports |
96 SFP+ ports |
|
Port activation path |
16-port upgrades to 96 |
16-port upgrades to 96 |
Full 96-port order |
Full 96-port order |
|
Minimum NX-OS release |
MDS NX-OS 8.3(1) or later |
MDS NX-OS 8.3(1) or later |
MDS NX-OS 8.3(1) or later |
MDS NX-OS 8.3(1) or later |
- In a DS-C9396T-48ETK9 vs DS-C9396T-48ITK9 comparison, both are 48-port 32G SW optic bundles; the documented difference is port-side exhaust airflow versus port-side intake airflow.
- The DS-C9396T-48ETK9 vs DS-C9396T-96ETK9 difference is active-port and optic count, because both use port-side exhaust airflow but 96ETK9 ships with 96 active ports and 96 optics.
- For DS-C9396T-48ETK9 vs DS-C9396T-96ITK9, the comparison changes both starting port count and airflow direction.
- Which model to order should follow the documented first-day port count and rack airflow direction before optional 16-port activation planning is added.
Selection Guide
1. Choose the 48-port exhaust bundle for staged SAN growth
Select DS-C9396T-48ETK9 when the approved SAN design starts with 48 active 32G Fibre Channel ports and the rack requires port-side exhaust airflow.
2. Keep the airflow variant tied to the rack standard
Use DS-C9396T-48ITK9 instead only when the same 48-port shortwave bundle must use port-side intake airflow.
3. Move to the 96-port exhaust bundle for full first-day activation
Choose DS-C9396T-96ETK9 when the BOM already requires 96 active ports, 96 included 32G SW optics, and port-side exhaust airflow on the first order.
4. Verify expansion and software before purchasing add-ons
Confirm whether M9396T-PL16T activations are part of the growth plan, and check MDS NX-OS 8.3(1) or later plus Cisco DCNM 11(0) or later for the target fabric.
Ordering Checklist
|
Order Gate |
Required Match |
Procurement Risk |
|---|---|---|
|
PID and bundle |
DS-C9396T-48ETK9 with 48 active FC ports and 48 x 32G SW optics |
Keeps the line from drifting to an intake-airflow PID or a full 96-port bundle |
|
Rack airflow |
Port-side exhaust airflow with the exhaust fan direction |
Matches the documented cooling path before spare fan modules are selected |
|
Expansion licensing |
M9396T-PL16T only when growth from 48 ports to 64, 80, or 96 ports is planned |
Aligns future active-port count with both port licenses and optics |
|
Optical cabling |
Dual-LC 850 nm multimode fiber for the included 32G SW optics |
Avoids accidental longwave fiber assumptions in the cable list |
|
Software floor |
Cisco MDS NX-OS 8.3(1) or later and Cisco DCNM 11(0) or later |
Checks the management and fabric release baseline before deployment |
|
Power accessories |
Two 1200W PSUs and the correct regional power cords |
Keeps site-power items aligned with the chassis power design |
Optional Add-ons
|
Model |
Description |
|---|---|
|
M9396T-PL16T |
MDS 9396T 16-port activation license with 16 x 32G SW optics |
|
DS-C96S-FAN-E= |
Cisco MDS 9396T fan module spare for port-side exhaust airflow |
|
DS-CAC-1200W= |
AC PSU bidirectional airflow spare listed for MDS 9396T |
|
DS-SFP-FC32G-SW= |
Cisco 32G Fibre Channel SW SFP+ optic spare with LC connector |
|
DS-9396T-KIT-CSCO |
MDS 9396T accessory kit for Cisco |
Front View
|
1 |
LEM slot 1 |
3 |
LEM slot 3 |
|
2 |
LEM slot 2 |
|
1 |
Serial console port |
5 |
USB port |
|
2 |
System status LED |
6 |
Ethernet management ports (2) |
|
3 |
Power supply status LED |
7 |
Base Fibre Channel ports |
|
4 |
Fan status LED |
8 |
Airflow Grill |
Rear View
|
1 |
Power supply unit fan |
5 |
Power supply units (2) |
|
2 |
Power supply unit handle |
6 |
Chassis fan modules (2) |
|
3 |
Power receptacle |
7 |
Fan module locking screw |
|
4 |
Power supply unit locking latch |
|
1 |
Power supply unit slot 1 |
3 |
Chassis fan module slot 2 |
|
2 |
Chassis fan module slot 1 |
4 |
Power supply unit slot 2 |
Specifications
Packaging weight and dimensions included:| Weight | 21.97 kg |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 82 × 65 × 20 cm |
| Parameter | Specification | Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product ID | DS-C9396T-48ETK9 | Brand | Cisco |
| Product family | Cisco MDS 9396T | Product type | 32G Fibre Channel SAN switch bundle |
| Order configuration | 48 active ports, 48 x 32G SW optics, 2 fans, 2 PSUs, and port-side exhaust airflow | Form factor | 2RU rack-mountable fixed switch |
| Dimensions | 3.39 x 17.42 x 22.28 in. (8.61 x 44.25 x 56.59 cm) | Weight | 41.62 lb (18.88 kg) |
| Fibre Channel ports | 96 SFP+ hardware ports | Active ports at order | 48 active Fibre Channel ports |
| Port expansion path | 16-port upgrades to 64, 80, and 96 active ports | Included FC optics | 48 x Cisco 32G Fibre Channel shortwave optics |
| 32G SW optic product ID | DS-SFP-FC32G-SW | 32G SW connector | Dual LC connector |
| 32G SW wavelength and fiber type | 850 nm multimode fiber | 32G SW 32G cable distance | 65 ft (20 m) on OM2, 230 ft (70 m) on OM3, and 328 ft (100 m) on OM4 or OM5 |
| Port speed | 4/8/16/32 Gbps autosensing with 32 Gbps dedicated bandwidth per port | Aggregate bandwidth | 3 Tbps end-to-end full duplex |
| Port group architecture | Six 16-port port groups | Buffer credits | Up to 8300 per 16-port group and up to 8270 for a single port in the group |
| Port channel | Up to 16 load-balanced physical links in one port channel | Fibre Channel port types | E, F, and B standard port types; SD, ST, NP, and TE enhanced port types |
| Advanced functions | VSAN, NPV, IVR, Port Channel with multipath load balancing, and flow-based and zone-based QoS | Fabric services | Name server, RSCN, login services, Fabric Configuration Server, broadcast, and in-order delivery |
| Management Ethernet ports | Two out-of-band Ethernet management ports | Programming interfaces | Scriptable CLI, Cisco DCNM web services API, NX-API REST interfaces, onboard Python interpreter, Embedded Event Manager, and Cisco NX-OS scheduler |
| Minimum NX-OS release | Cisco MDS NX-OS 8.3(1) or later | Minimum Cisco DCNM release | Cisco DCNM 11(0) or later |
| Fan modules | 2 hot-swappable fan modules | Fan direction for this PID | Port-side exhaust airflow with DS-C96S-FAN-E fan modules |
| Power supplies | 2 hot-swappable 1200W AC/HVAC/HVDC bidirectional airflow power supplies | Power redundancy | 1+1 power grid redundancy |
| AC input voltage | 90V to 305V | DC input voltage | 192V to 400V |
| Nominal input frequency | 50 to 60 Hz | Typical power with 48 x 32G optics | 330W under Cisco’s typical 48-optic condition |
| Airflow rate | Maximum 255 CFM and nominal 110 CFM at 25C | Operating temperature | 32 to 104F (0 to 40C) |
| Nonoperating temperature | -40 to 158F (-40 to 70C) | Operating relative humidity | 10 to 90 percent noncondensing |
| Nonoperating relative humidity | 10 to 95 percent noncondensing | Operating altitude | -197 to 6500 ft (-60 to 2000 m) |
Get More Information
Need pricing, stock, or shipping details for the DS-C9396T-48ETK9 ? Layer23-Switch can help you check current availability, lead time, and delivery options for this. Send us the part number, quantity, and destination country via live chat or email sales@layer23-switch.com for a fast quotation.
Quality Certifications
Customer Reviews
Questions & Answers
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Which exhaust-side optic bundle defines DS-C9396T-48ETK9?
-
Which airflow direction does DS-C9396T-48ETK9 use?
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Which optic bundle separates DS-C9396T-48ETK9 from DS-C9396T-48EK9?
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Does DS-C9396T-48ETK9 activate all 96 ports?
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Why do SAN teams compare DS-C9396T-48ETK9 with 9148T switches?
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What licensing review belongs with DS-C9396T-48ETK9?
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Can DS-C9396T-48ETK9 support slow-drain troubleshooting?
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Which rack or scale plan points away from DS-C9396T-48ETK9?
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