Both Product IDs provide 48 active ports on the same 96-port MDS 9396T platform. DS-C9396T-48ETK9 includes 48 Cisco 32G shortwave optics, while DS-C9396T-48EK9 is the base 48-port order code without that optics bundle. The listed power values use different Cisco reference configurations, so build the decision around the required optics and verify the final transceiver BOM.
Start with the differences that have the greatest effect on capacity, connectivity, software, power and deployment fit.
Cisco Fibre Channel optics up to 32G supported; optics not included in this base order code
48 x Cisco 32G shortwave optics included
246 W
330 W
Review the differences in this order to identify the model that best fits the intended deployment.
Match access media, port count and speed first, then confirm that the uplink design fits the distribution layer.
Total the power required by connected devices and verify the PoE standard, budget, power supplies and redundancy.
Compare forwarding, stacking and scale in the intended topology, then confirm the license tier and software release.
Send your port, performance, license, quantity or deployment requirements. A CCIE-level network engineer will review the shortlist and help identify the better-fit Product ID.
| Comparison parameter | ||
|---|---|---|
| Product ID | DS-C9396T-48EK9 | DS-C9396T-48ETK9 |
| Product and ordering | ||
| Product Type | Cisco MDS 32G Fibre Channel SAN switch | Cisco MDS 32G Fibre Channel SAN switch |
| Form Factor | 2RU | 2RU |
| Switch Role | Storage-area-network fabric switch | Storage-area-network fabric switch |
| Network License | Cisco MDS port activation licensing | Cisco MDS port activation licensing |
| Configuration, licensing and management | ||
| Management Model | Cisco NDFC/DCNM, NX-OS CLI, SNMP, NX-API and onboard automation | Cisco NDFC/DCNM, NX-OS CLI, SNMP, NX-API and onboard automation |
| Port Activation License | Additional ports activated in model-specific increments | Additional ports activated in model-specific increments |
| Fabric Services | VSANs, IVR, PortChannels, FSPF, zoning and device alias services | VSANs, IVR, PortChannels, FSPF, zoning and device alias services |
| Ports and interfaces | ||
| Downlink Port Count | 96 | 96 |
| Downlink Type | 32G Fibre Channel | 32G Fibre Channel |
| Uplink Interfaces | Fibre Channel SFP+ or SFP56 | Fibre Channel SFP+ or SFP56 |
| Maximum Uplink Speed | 32 Gbps | 32 Gbps |
| Management Ports | Dedicated out-of-band Ethernet management port | Dedicated out-of-band Ethernet management port |
| Console Ports | RS-232 serial console | RS-232 serial console |
| USB Ports | USB power-on auto-provision interface | USB power-on auto-provision interface |
| Connector Types | LC fibre optics through SFP+/SFP56 transceivers | LC fibre optics through SFP+/SFP56 transceivers |
| Fibre Channel Ports | 96 | 96 |
| Fibre Channel Port Types | E, F, NP and TE port roles; model/software dependent | E, F, NP and TE port roles; model/software dependent |
| Performance and scale | ||
| Fibre Channel Speed Support | Up to 32 Gbps autosensing Fibre Channel | Up to 32 Gbps autosensing Fibre Channel |
| Buffer Credits | 8,300 per 16-port group; 500 default per port; 8,270 maximum for one port | 8,300 per 16-port group; 500 default per port; 8,270 maximum for one port |
| Supported Optics | Cisco Fibre Channel optics up to 32G supported; optics not included in this base order code | 48 x Cisco 32G shortwave optics included |
| Active Ports at Order | 48 | 48 |
| Dedicated Bandwidth per Port | Up to 32 Gbps | Up to 32 Gbps |
| Port Channel Support | Up to 16 or 24 physical links per Fibre Channel port channel, model dependent | Up to 16 or 24 physical links per Fibre Channel port channel, model dependent |
| Aggregate Bandwidth | Up to 6,144 Gbps | Up to 6,144 Gbps |
| PoE and power | ||
| PoE Support | Not supported | Not supported |
| Default Power Supply | 2 field-replaceable AC power supplies included | 2 field-replaceable AC power supplies included |
| Power Supply Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Power Supply Options | Model and airflow-specific AC power supplies | Model and airflow-specific AC power supplies |
| AC Input Voltage | 100 to 240 V | 100 to 240 V |
| AC Input Frequency | 50 to 60 Hz | 50 to 60 Hz |
| Power Input Type | AC | AC |
| Typical Power Consumption | 246 W | 330 W |
| Power Redundancy | 1+1 redundant supplies on supported models | 1+1 redundant supplies on supported models |
| Stacking and resiliency | ||
| Stacking Technology | Not supported; fabrics scale through ISLs | Not supported; fabrics scale through ISLs |
| Fan Modules | 2 field-replaceable fan modules included | 2 field-replaceable fan modules included |
| Memory and software | ||
| Operating System | Cisco MDS NX-OS | Cisco MDS NX-OS |
| Minimum Software Release | Model-dependent Cisco MDS NX-OS release | Model-dependent Cisco MDS NX-OS release |
| Minimum Cisco DCNM Release | Model-dependent Cisco DCNM/NDFC release | Model-dependent Cisco DCNM/NDFC release |
| Physical and environmental | ||
| Dimensions (H × W × D) | 86.1 × 442.5 × 565.9 mm | 86.1 × 442.5 × 565.9 mm |
| Weight | 18.88 kg | 18.88 kg |
| Operating Temperature | 0 to 40 °C | 0 to 40 °C |
| Storage Temperature | -40 to 70 °C | -40 to 70 °C |
| Storage Humidity | 10% to 95% | 10% to 95% |
| Operating Humidity | 10% to 90% | 10% to 90% |
| Operating Altitude | -60–2,000 m | -60–2,000 m |
| MTBF | Not published by Cisco | Not published by Cisco |
| Warranty | Cisco 1-year limited hardware warranty | Cisco 1-year limited hardware warranty |
| Mounting | 19-inch rack mount | 19-inch rack mount |
| Airflow | Port-side exhaust | Port-side exhaust |
“Not listed” means that no confirmed value is currently available for that model and parameter.
Use the exact Product ID when requesting a quote, because suffixes can identify different licenses, regions or configurations. Open an available product page for details and pricing, or request a project quote from our team.
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