DS-C9396T-48ETK9 activates 48 ports and includes 48 Cisco 32G shortwave optics. DS-C9396T-96ETK9 activates all 96 ports and includes 96 shortwave optics, avoiding a later port activation and transceiver expansion when the fabric needs the full chassis density. Confirm current and planned ISL/device-port counts, optics reach and the higher fully populated power requirement.
Start with the differences that have the greatest effect on capacity, connectivity, software, power and deployment fit.
M9396T-PL16 port activation in 16-port increments; 48 ports active at order
Full 96-port activation included; no additional M9396T-PL16 activation required
48 x Cisco 32G shortwave optics included
96 x Cisco 32G shortwave optics included
48
96
330 W
555 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-48ETK9 | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 |
| Product and ordering | ||
| Product Type | DS-C9396T-48ETK9 Cisco MDS 32G Fibre Channel SAN switch | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 Cisco MDS 32G Fibre Channel SAN switch |
| Form Factor | DS-C9396T-48ETK9 2RU | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 2RU |
| Switch Role | DS-C9396T-48ETK9 Storage-area-network fabric switch | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 Storage-area-network fabric switch |
| Network LicenseDifferent | DS-C9396T-48ETK9 M9396T-PL16 port activation in 16-port increments; 48 ports active at order | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 Full 96-port activation included; no additional M9396T-PL16 activation required |
| Configuration, licensing and management | ||
| Management Model | DS-C9396T-48ETK9 Cisco NDFC/DCNM, NX-OS CLI, SNMP, NX-API and onboard automation | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 Cisco NDFC/DCNM, NX-OS CLI, SNMP, NX-API and onboard automation |
| Port Activation License | DS-C9396T-48ETK9 Additional ports activated in model-specific increments | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 Additional ports activated in model-specific increments |
| Fabric Services | DS-C9396T-48ETK9 VSANs, IVR, PortChannels, FSPF, zoning and device alias services | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 VSANs, IVR, PortChannels, FSPF, zoning and device alias services |
| Ports and interfaces | ||
| Downlink Port Count | DS-C9396T-48ETK9 96 | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 96 |
| Downlink Type | DS-C9396T-48ETK9 32G Fibre Channel | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 32G Fibre Channel |
| Uplink Interfaces | DS-C9396T-48ETK9 4/8/16/32G Fibre Channel SFP+ | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 4/8/16/32G Fibre Channel SFP+ |
| Maximum Uplink Speed | DS-C9396T-48ETK9 32 Gbps | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 32 Gbps |
| Management Ports | DS-C9396T-48ETK9 mgmt0 10/100/1000BASE-T plus mgmt1 1/10G SFP+; mgmt1 requires software activation | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 mgmt0 10/100/1000BASE-T plus mgmt1 1/10G SFP+; mgmt1 requires software activation |
| Console Ports | DS-C9396T-48ETK9 RS-232 serial console | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 RS-232 serial console |
| USB Ports | DS-C9396T-48ETK9 USB power-on auto-provision interface | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 USB power-on auto-provision interface |
| Connector Types | DS-C9396T-48ETK9 Fibre Channel SFP+ | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 Fibre Channel SFP+ |
| Fibre Channel Ports | DS-C9396T-48ETK9 96 | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 96 |
| Fibre Channel Port Types | DS-C9396T-48ETK9 Standard E, F, and B ports; enhanced SD, ST, NP, and TE ports | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 Standard E, F, and B ports; enhanced SD, ST, NP, and TE ports |
| Performance and scale | ||
| Fibre Channel Speed Support | DS-C9396T-48ETK9 Up to 32 Gbps autosensing Fibre Channel | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 Up to 32 Gbps autosensing Fibre Channel |
| Buffer Credits | DS-C9396T-48ETK9 8,300 per 16-port group; 500 default per port; 8,270 maximum for one port | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 8,300 per 16-port group; 500 default per port; 8,270 maximum for one port |
| Supported OpticsDifferent | DS-C9396T-48ETK9 48 x Cisco 32G shortwave optics included | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 96 x Cisco 32G shortwave optics included |
| Active Ports at OrderDifferent | DS-C9396T-48ETK9 48 | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 96 |
| Dedicated Bandwidth per Port | DS-C9396T-48ETK9 Up to 32 Gbps | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 Up to 32 Gbps |
| Port Channel Support | DS-C9396T-48ETK9 Up to 16 or 24 physical links per Fibre Channel port channel, model dependent | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 Up to 16 or 24 physical links per Fibre Channel port channel, model dependent |
| Aggregate Bandwidth | DS-C9396T-48ETK9 3,000 Gbps | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 3,000 Gbps |
| PoE and power | ||
| PoE Support | DS-C9396T-48ETK9 Not supported | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 Not supported |
| Default Power Supply | DS-C9396T-48ETK9 2 x 1200W AC/HVAC/HVDC bidirectional-airflow power supplies included | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 2 x 1200W AC/HVAC/HVDC bidirectional-airflow power supplies included |
| Power Supply Slots | DS-C9396T-48ETK9 2 | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 2 |
| Power Supply Options | DS-C9396T-48ETK9 2 included 1200W AC/HVAC/HVDC supplies; 1+1 power-grid redundancy | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 2 included 1200W AC/HVAC/HVDC supplies; 1+1 power-grid redundancy |
| AC Input Voltage | DS-C9396T-48ETK9 90 to 305 V | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 90 to 305 V |
| DC Input Voltage | DS-C9396T-48ETK9 192 to 400 V | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 192 to 400 V |
| AC Input Frequency | DS-C9396T-48ETK9 50 to 60 Hz | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 50 to 60 Hz |
| Power Input Type | DS-C9396T-48ETK9 AC, high-voltage AC, or high-voltage DC through included bidirectional-airflow supplies | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 AC, high-voltage AC, or high-voltage DC through included bidirectional-airflow supplies |
| Typical Power ConsumptionDifferent | DS-C9396T-48ETK9 330 W | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 555 W |
| Power Redundancy | DS-C9396T-48ETK9 1+1 redundant supplies on supported models | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 1+1 redundant supplies on supported models |
| Stacking and resiliency | ||
| Stacking Technology | DS-C9396T-48ETK9 Not supported; fabrics scale through ISLs | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 Not supported; fabrics scale through ISLs |
| Fan Modules | DS-C9396T-48ETK9 2 field-replaceable fan modules included | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 2 field-replaceable fan modules included |
| Memory and software | ||
| Operating System | DS-C9396T-48ETK9 Cisco MDS NX-OS | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 Cisco MDS NX-OS |
| Minimum Software Release | DS-C9396T-48ETK9 Cisco MDS NX-OS 8.3(1) or later | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 Cisco MDS NX-OS 8.3(1) or later |
| Minimum Cisco DCNM Release | DS-C9396T-48ETK9 Cisco DCNM 11(0) or later | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 Cisco DCNM 11(0) or later |
| Physical and environmental | ||
| Dimensions (H × W × D) | DS-C9396T-48ETK9 86.1 × 442.5 × 565.9 mm | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 86.1 × 442.5 × 565.9 mm |
| Weight | DS-C9396T-48ETK9 18.88 kg | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 18.88 kg |
| Operating Temperature | DS-C9396T-48ETK9 0 to 40 °C | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 0 to 40 °C |
| Storage Temperature | DS-C9396T-48ETK9 -40 to 70 °C | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 -40 to 70 °C |
| Storage Humidity | DS-C9396T-48ETK9 10% to 95% | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 10% to 95% |
| Operating Humidity | DS-C9396T-48ETK9 10% to 90% | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 10% to 90% |
| Operating Altitude | DS-C9396T-48ETK9 -60–2,000 m | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 -60–2,000 m |
| MTBF | DS-C9396T-48ETK9 Not published by Cisco | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 Not published by Cisco |
| Warranty | DS-C9396T-48ETK9 Cisco 1-year limited hardware warranty | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 Cisco 1-year limited hardware warranty |
| Mounting | DS-C9396T-48ETK9 19-inch rack mount | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 19-inch rack mount |
| Airflow | DS-C9396T-48ETK9 Port-side exhaust | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 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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