DS-C9396T-48ETK9
48 x Cisco 32G shortwave optics included
DS-C9396T-96ETK9
96 x Cisco 32G shortwave optics included
Cisco switch comparison
DS-C9396T-48ETK9 vs DS-C9396T-96ETK9
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.
2models compared
49specs shown for every model
3differences found
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At-a-glance comparison
Key performance and configuration differences
Start with the differences that have the greatest effect on capacity, connectivity, software, power and deployment fit.
DS-C9396T-48ETK9
48
DS-C9396T-96ETK9
96
DS-C9396T-48ETK9
330 W
DS-C9396T-96ETK9
555 W
Buying decision
How to choose between DS-C9396T-48ETK9 and DS-C9396T-96ETK9
Review the differences in this order to identify the model that best fits the intended deployment.
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01
Ports and uplinks
Match access media, port count and speed first, then confirm that the uplink design fits the distribution layer.
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02
PoE and power
Total the power required by connected devices and verify the PoE standard, budget, power supplies and redundancy.
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03
Performance and software
Compare forwarding, stacking and scale in the intended topology, then confirm the license tier and software release.
Before ordering
Confirm the exact Product ID, license tier, power supplies, accessories and regional requirements.
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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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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.
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