DS-C9396T-96ITK9 – 96x32G FC Ports – 96x32G SW Optics – Intake SAN Switch
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DS-C9396T-96ITK9 Description
DS-C9396T-96ITK9 is a Cisco MDS 9396T 32G Fibre Channel SAN switch bundle for full-density storage fabrics that need port-side intake airflow. This Cisco MDS 9300 Series switch order includes 96 active Fibre Channel ports, 96 Cisco 32G shortwave SFP+ optics, two fan modules, and two power supplies, giving buyers a single PID for a 2RU MDS 9396T deployment where host, array, and ISL cabling are planned around a fully populated 32G FC switch.
Quick Specs
|
Parameter |
Specification |
|---|---|
|
Product ID |
DS-C9396T-96ITK9 |
|
Product type |
32G Fibre Channel SAN switch bundle |
|
Order configuration |
96 active ports, 96 x 32G SW optics, 2 fans, 2 PSUs, port-side intake |
|
Active ports at order |
96 Fibre Channel ports |
|
Included FC optics |
96 x Cisco 32G Fibre Channel shortwave optics |
|
Airflow direction |
Port-side intake |
|
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-96ITK9 fixes the cooling direction and the port package in one PID: port-side intake airflow, 96 active 32G Fibre Channel ports, and Cisco shortwave optics for every active port.
The MDS 9396T can start from a 48-port base and grow in 16-port increments, but this bundle is already ordered at the 96-port level. That removes a staged activation line from the initial SAN BOM.
Cisco identifies the included transceivers as 32G Fibre Channel SW optics. Cable planning should therefore match dual-LC multimode runs before longwave optics or different reach assumptions are introduced.
The 96 SFP+ ports are organized as six 16-port groups. Mapping host links, storage links, and inter-switch links against those groups gives the purchasing team a clear way to review port allocation.
The platform uses two hot-swappable fan modules and two hot-swappable bidirectional power supplies. For this PID, fan replacement planning should stay aligned to the Cisco port-side intake 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 minimum versions before the switch is added to a quote.
Application Scenarios
DS-C9396T-96ITK9 fits data center rows where cold air is expected to enter from the port side and the fabric design calls for a full 96-port Cisco MDS 9396T bundle.
The SKU is appropriate when host, storage, and ISL counts already justify all 96 active 32G Fibre Channel ports with Cisco SW optics in the same hardware order.
Choose this full-density intake bundle when a 48-port starter order would create unnecessary 16-port license steps. If the same intake rack can begin at 48 ports, DS-C9396T-48ITK9 is the closer staged-capacity alternative.
Product Comparison
|
Parameter |
DS-C9396T-96ITK9 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
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 intake |
Port-side exhaust |
Port-side intake |
Port-side exhaust |
|
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-96ITK9 vs DS-C9396T-96ETK9 comparison, the active-port count and included 32G SW optic count match; the documented difference is port-side intake airflow versus port-side exhaust airflow.
- The DS-C9396T-96ITK9 vs DS-C9396T-48ITK9 difference is first-day density: both are intake bundles, but DS-C9396T-96ITK9 ships with 96 active ports while DS-C9396T-48ITK9 begins at 48.
- For DS-C9396T-96ITK9 vs DS-C9396T-48ETK9, the comparison changes both confirmed variables in the table: active-port count and airflow direction.
- Which model to choose should be tied to the approved active-port count and rack airflow path, because those are the documented differences across these MDS 9396T bundle SKUs.
Selection Guide
1. Start with the rack airflow requirement
Keep DS-C9396T-96ITK9 on the BOM when the row is planned for port-side intake cooling and the approved SAN map needs all 96 active 32G Fibre Channel ports from day one.
2. Treat DS-C9396T-96ETK9 as the mirrored airflow order
Move to DS-C9396T-96ETK9 for an exhaust-cooled rack. It keeps the same 96 active ports and 96 x 32G SW optics while changing the documented fan direction.
3. Do not add activation planning to this full bundle
Cisco’s 16-port growth path is relevant to 48-port starting configurations. If staged capacity is the goal, quote DS-C9396T-48ITK9 instead of treating DS-C9396T-96ITK9 as a partial-port order.
4. Close cabling and software checks separately
Match the included 32G SW SFP+ optics to multimode fiber distance, verify the MDS NX-OS and DCNM minimum releases, and select regional power cords as separate order-line checks.
Ordering Checklist
|
Order Gate |
Required Match |
Procurement Risk |
|---|---|---|
|
Rack airflow path |
Port-side intake |
Keeps chassis fan direction aligned with the facility cooling plan |
|
Active FC port count |
96 active ports at order |
Avoids discovering after purchase that a staged activation model was ordered |
|
Included transceivers |
96 x Cisco 32G SW FC optics |
Keeps optic quantity matched to every active port in the bundle |
|
Fiber plant |
Dual-LC multimode cabling for 32G SW optics |
Reduces the risk of quoting longwave optics or unsupported cable reach assumptions |
|
Software floor |
Cisco MDS NX-OS 8.3(1) or later and Cisco DCNM 11(0) or later |
Confirms the target fabric and management tools meet Cisco’s documented requirement |
|
Site power items |
Two 1200W PSUs plus regional AC cords |
Keeps the switch order aligned with local power receptacles and redundancy planning |
Optional Add-ons
|
Model |
Description |
|---|---|
|
DS-C96S-FAN-I= |
Cisco MDS 9396T fan module spare for port-side intake airflow |
|
DS-CAC-1200W= |
AC PSU bidirectional airflow spare listed for MDS 9396T |
|
Cisco 32G Fibre Channel shortwave SFP+ optic | |
|
DS-9396T-KIT-CSCO |
MDS 9396T accessory kit for Cisco |
Specifications
| Parameter | Specification | Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product ID | DS-C9396T-96ITK9 | 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 intake 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 intake airflow with DS-C96S-FAN-I 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 | Front to back inward from ports using port-side intake 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-96ITK9 ? 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 MDS 9396T bundle does DS-9396T-96ITK9 represent?
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Why does DS-9396T-96ITK9 require SKU verification?
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Which airflow plan fits DS-9396T-96ITK9?
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Which airflow detail separates DS-9396T-96ITK9 from DS-C9396T-96ETK9?
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Does DS-9396T-96ITK9 need later port activation?
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What SAN scale question fits DS-9396T-96ITK9?
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Which software and management checks apply to DS-9396T-96ITK9?
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Which order profile points away from DS-9396T-96ITK9?
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