DS-C9396T-96ETK9 – 96x32G FC Ports – 96x32G SW Optics – Exhaust SAN Switch
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DS-C9396T-96ETK9 Description
DS-C9396T-96ETK9 is a Cisco MDS 9396T 32G Fibre Channel SAN switch bundle for full-density storage fabrics, ordered with 96 active ports, 96 Cisco 32G shortwave optics, two fan modules, two power supplies, and port-side exhaust airflow.
The closest same-density SKU is DS-C9396T-96ITK9; both ship with 96 active ports and 96 shortwave optics, but 96ETK9 uses exhaust airflow while 96ITK9 uses intake airflow. Compared with DS-C9396T-48ETK9, this SKU removes the staged 48-port starting point and starts at the platform's full active port count.
Quote review should lock the exhaust cooling path, dual-LC multimode cabling for the 32G SW optics, Cisco MDS NX-OS 8.3(1) or later, Cisco DCNM 11(0) or later, and the regional power-cord set before price, stock, warranty, or shipping terms are finalized.
Quick Specs
|
Parameter |
Specification |
|---|---|
|
Product ID |
DS-C9396T-96ETK9 |
|
Product family |
Cisco MDS 9396T |
|
Product type |
32G Fibre Channel SAN switch bundle |
|
Order configuration |
96 active ports, 96 x 32G SW optics, 2 fans, 2 PSUs, port-side exhaust |
|
Active ports at order |
96 Fibre Channel ports |
|
Included FC optics |
96 x Cisco 32G Fibre Channel shortwave optics |
|
Airflow direction |
Port-side exhaust |
|
Port speed |
4/8/16/32 Gbps autosensing |
|
Aggregate bandwidth |
3 Tbps per switch |
|
Port groups |
Six 16-port groups |
|
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-96ETK9 fixes two procurement variables on one line: all 96 ports are active at order, and the chassis uses port-side exhaust cooling. That makes it distinct from intake-airflow SKUs and from 48-port starter bundles.
The bundle includes Cisco 32G Fibre Channel shortwave SFP+ optics for every active port. Fiber planning should therefore start with dual-LC multimode links instead of treating transceivers as a separate future accessory.
Cisco supports 16-port growth from the 48-port base model, but this SKU is already ordered at the 96-port level. Buyers should use activation licenses only for lower starting configurations, not as a required add-on for this full bundle.
The MDS 9396T platform is organized around six 16-port groups. Reviewing host, storage, and inter-switch links by those groups helps keep the documented port architecture visible during BOM approval.
The platform uses two hot-swappable fan modules and two hot-swappable 1200W bidirectional power supplies. For this exhaust SKU, replacement fan planning should stay aligned with the Cisco port-side exhaust fan module.
Cisco lists MDS NX-OS 8.3(1) or later and Cisco DCNM 11(0) or later for the MDS 9396T. Existing fabrics should be checked against those release levels before the switch is ordered.
Application Scenarios
DS-C9396T-96ETK9 fits projects where the approved fabric map already needs all 96 active 32G Fibre Channel ports and Cisco SW optics in the first hardware purchase.
This SKU belongs in rows where hot air exits toward the port side. If the rack plan expects air to enter from the port side, the same full-density optic bundle is documented under DS-C9396T-96ITK9.
The SKU is appropriate when a 48-port starting point would create an unnecessary activation step. If the deployment can start smaller, DS-C9396T-48ETK9 keeps the same exhaust direction with 48 active ports and 48 optics.
Product Comparison
|
Parameter |
DS-C9396T-96ETK9 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
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 |
96 |
96 |
48 |
48 |
|
Included FC optics |
96 x 32G SW |
96 x 32G SW |
48 x 32G SW |
48 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 |
Full 96-port order |
Full 96-port order |
16-port upgrades to 96 |
16-port upgrades to 96 |
|
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-96ETK9 vs DS-C9396T-96ITK9 comparison, both models carry 96 active ports and 96 x 32G SW optics; the documented difference is exhaust airflow versus intake airflow.
- The DS-C9396T-96ETK9 vs DS-C9396T-48ETK9 difference is first-day capacity: both use port-side exhaust airflow, but 96ETK9 ships with 96 active ports while 48ETK9 starts at 48.
- For DS-C9396T-96ETK9 vs DS-C9396T-48ITK9, the comparison changes both the active-port count and the airflow direction shown in the table.
- Which model to choose should be decided from the required active-port count and rack airflow direction, because those are the confirmed differences across the listed MDS 9396T bundles.
Selection Guide
1. Select the full exhaust bundle for day-one 96-port designs
Choose DS-C9396T-96ETK9 when the SAN design requires 96 active 32G Fibre Channel ports, 96 Cisco SW optics, and port-side exhaust cooling on the initial order.
2. Keep the intake model separate from exhaust racks
Select DS-C9396T-96ITK9 only when the same 96-port optic bundle must use port-side intake airflow. Mixing the airflow direction in the quote can create the wrong fan spare plan.
3. Use a 48-port exhaust bundle only for staged activation
Choose DS-C9396T-48ETK9 when the rack still needs exhaust airflow but the fabric can begin with 48 active ports and later grow through Cisco-listed 16-port activation options.
4. Verify optics and release levels before commercial review
Confirm that the multimode fiber plan matches the 32G SW optics and that the target fabric meets Cisco MDS NX-OS 8.3(1) or later plus Cisco DCNM 11(0) or later.
Ordering Checklist
|
Order Gate |
Required Match |
Procurement Risk |
|---|---|---|
|
Exact PID |
DS-C9396T-96ETK9 |
Avoids substitution with the intake full-port PID or a 48-port starter bundle |
|
Active-port count |
96 active Fibre Channel ports at order |
Prevents an unexpected need for later 16-port activation licenses |
|
Optics package |
96 x Cisco 32G FC SW optics |
Keeps the transceiver count aligned with every active port on the bundle |
|
Fiber and connector plan |
Dual-LC multimode fiber for Cisco 32G SW optics |
Avoids ordering longwave cabling assumptions for a shortwave bundle |
|
Airflow hardware |
Port-side exhaust fan direction and matching spare fan module |
Prevents mixed airflow parts in the chassis service plan |
|
Software baseline |
Cisco MDS NX-OS 8.3(1) or later and Cisco DCNM 11(0) or later |
Confirms that the target fabric and management platform meet the documented floor |
|
Power accessories |
Two 1200W PSUs plus region-specific AC power cords |
Keeps site-power items matched to the MDS 9396T hardware order |
Optional Add-ons
|
Model |
Description |
|---|---|
|
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-96ETK9 | Brand | Cisco |
| Product family | Cisco MDS 9396T | Product type | 32G Fibre Channel SAN switch bundle |
| Order configuration | 96 active ports, 96 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+ ports | Active ports at order | 96 active Fibre Channel ports |
| Included FC optics | 96 x Cisco 32G Fibre Channel shortwave optics | Supported FC optics listed by Cisco | 32G SW, 32G LW, 16G SW, 16G LW, 8G SW, and 8G LW Fibre Channel 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 per switch |
| Port group architecture | Six 16-port port groups | Extended B2B credits | At least 6 ports configurable with up to 8270 Buffer-to-Buffer credits |
| Fibre Channel port types | E, F, and B standard port types; SD, ST, NP, and TE enhanced port types | Port channel | Up to 16 load-balanced physical links in one port channel |
| 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 | mgmt0 10/100/1000BASE-T and mgmt1 1/10G SFP+ | 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 96 x 32G optics | 555W under Cisco’s typical 96-optic condition |
| Maximum switch power | 585W maximum | Airflow direction | Back to front toward ports using port-side exhaust fans |
| 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 |
| Operating altitude | -197 to 6500 ft (-60 to 2000 m) | Minimum cable distance for listed SFP+ optics | 6.5 ft (2 m) |
Get More Information
Need pricing, stock, or shipping details for the DS-C9396T-96ETK9 ? 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 day-one capacity defines DS-C9396T-96ETK9?
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Which capacity detail separates DS-C9396T-96ETK9 from DS-C9396T-48ETK9?
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Which airflow direction applies to DS-C9396T-96ETK9?
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Why order DS-C9396T-96ETK9 instead of activating ports later?
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Which feature licenses still matter on DS-C9396T-96ETK9?
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Can DS-C9396T-96ETK9 support high-density ISL designs?
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What operational issue appears with DS-C9396T-96ETK9 mixed speeds?
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Which project profile points away from DS-C9396T-96ETK9?
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