Cisco switch comparison
DS-C9396T-48ETK9 vs DS-C9396T-96ETK9
DS-C9396T-48ETK9 activates 48 Fibre Channel ports and includes 48 shortwave optics; DS-C9396T-96ETK9 activates all 96 and includes 96 optics. The physical chassis, port speeds, cooling direction and redundant-supply arrangement match.
2models compared
49specs published for every model
4confirmed differences
Change comparison
Select different models
At a glance
Key differences
Compare the specifications that shape your deployment.
| Specification | DS-C9396T-48ETK9 | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 |
|---|---|---|
Network License |
M9396T-PL16 port activation in 16-port increments; 48 ports active at order | Full 96-port activation included; no additional M9396T-PL16 activation required |
Supported Optics |
48 x Cisco 32G shortwave optics included | 96 x Cisco 32G shortwave optics included |
Active Ports at Order |
48 | 96 |
Typical Power Consumption |
330 W | 555 W |
Detailed comparison
Full specification comparison
| Comparison parameter | ||
|---|---|---|
| Product ID | DS-C9396T-48ETK9 | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 |
| 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 | M9396T-PL16 port activation in 16-port increments; 48 ports active at order | Full 96-port activation included; no additional M9396T-PL16 activation required |
| 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 | 4/8/16/32G Fibre Channel SFP+ | 4/8/16/32G Fibre Channel SFP+ |
| Maximum Uplink Speed | 32 Gbps | 32 Gbps |
| Management Ports | mgmt0 10/100/1000BASE-T plus mgmt1 1/10G SFP+; mgmt1 requires software activation | mgmt0 10/100/1000BASE-T plus mgmt1 1/10G SFP+; mgmt1 requires software activation |
| 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 | Fibre Channel SFP+ | Fibre Channel SFP+ |
| Fibre Channel Ports | 96 | 96 |
| Fibre Channel Port Types | Standard E, F, and B ports; enhanced SD, ST, NP, and TE ports | Standard E, F, and B ports; enhanced SD, ST, NP, and TE ports |
| 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 | 48 x Cisco 32G shortwave optics included | 96 x Cisco 32G shortwave optics included |
| Active Ports at Order | 48 | 96 |
| 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 | 3,000 Gbps | 3,000 Gbps |
| PoE and power | ||
| PoE Support | Not supported | Not supported |
| Default Power Supply | 2 x 1200W AC/HVAC/HVDC bidirectional-airflow power supplies included | 2 x 1200W AC/HVAC/HVDC bidirectional-airflow power supplies included |
| Power Supply Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Power Supply Options | 2 included 1200W AC/HVAC/HVDC supplies; 1+1 power-grid redundancy | 2 included 1200W AC/HVAC/HVDC supplies; 1+1 power-grid redundancy |
| AC Input Voltage | 90 to 305 V | 90 to 305 V |
| DC Input Voltage | 192 to 400 V | 192 to 400 V |
| AC Input Frequency | 50 to 60 Hz | 50 to 60 Hz |
| Power Input Type | AC, high-voltage AC, or high-voltage DC through included bidirectional-airflow supplies | AC, high-voltage AC, or high-voltage DC through included bidirectional-airflow supplies |
| Typical Power Consumption | 330 W | 555 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 | Cisco MDS NX-OS 8.3(1) or later | Cisco MDS NX-OS 8.3(1) or later |
| Minimum Cisco DCNM Release | Cisco DCNM 11(0) or later | Cisco DCNM 11(0) or later |
| 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 |
Specifications from Cisco MDS 9396T 32-Gbps 96-Port Fibre Channel Switch Data Sheet (checked 2026-10-11).
“Not published by Cisco” and “Not listed” indicate that a confirmed direct comparison is unavailable. These rows are not counted as confirmed differences.
Continue to the product pages
Product details
Specifications, documentation and purchasing information for each model.
Related comparisons