DS-C9396T-96ETK9
Port-side exhaust
DS-C9396T-96ITK9
Port-side intake
Cisco switch comparison
DS-C9396T-96ETK9 vs DS-C9396T-96ITK9
The current comparison shows the same 96 active 32G ports, included optics and performance; airflow direction is the ordering difference. DS-C9396T-96ETK9 is port-side exhaust, while DS-C9396T-96ITK9 is port-side intake. Match the suffix to the data-centre hot-aisle/cold-aisle layout and verify that the fan and power-supply airflow direction is consistent across the chassis.
2models compared
50specs shown for every model
1differences 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.
Buying decision
How to choose between DS-C9396T-96ETK9 and DS-C9396T-96ITK9
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-96ETK9 | DS-C9396T-96ITK9 |
| Product and ordering | ||
| Product Type | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 Cisco MDS 32G Fibre Channel SAN switch | DS-C9396T-96ITK9 Cisco MDS 32G Fibre Channel SAN switch |
| Form Factor | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 2RU | DS-C9396T-96ITK9 2RU |
| Switch Role | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 Storage-area-network fabric switch | DS-C9396T-96ITK9 Storage-area-network fabric switch |
| Network License | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 Full 96-port activation included; no additional M9396T-PL16 activation required | DS-C9396T-96ITK9 Full 96-port activation included; no additional M9396T-PL16 activation required |
| Configuration, licensing and management | ||
| Management Model | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 Cisco NDFC/DCNM, NX-OS CLI, SNMP, NX-API and onboard automation | DS-C9396T-96ITK9 Cisco NDFC/DCNM, NX-OS CLI, SNMP, NX-API and onboard automation |
| Port Activation License | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 Additional ports activated in model-specific increments | DS-C9396T-96ITK9 Additional ports activated in model-specific increments |
| Fabric Services | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 VSANs, IVR, PortChannels, FSPF, zoning and device alias services | DS-C9396T-96ITK9 VSANs, IVR, PortChannels, FSPF, zoning and device alias services |
| Ports and interfaces | ||
| Downlink Port Count | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 96 | DS-C9396T-96ITK9 96 |
| Downlink Type | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 32G Fibre Channel | DS-C9396T-96ITK9 32G Fibre Channel |
| Uplink Interfaces | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 4/8/16/32G Fibre Channel SFP+ | DS-C9396T-96ITK9 4/8/16/32G Fibre Channel SFP+ |
| Maximum Uplink Speed | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 32 Gbps | DS-C9396T-96ITK9 32 Gbps |
| Management Ports | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 mgmt0 10/100/1000BASE-T plus mgmt1 1/10G SFP+; mgmt1 requires software activation | DS-C9396T-96ITK9 mgmt0 10/100/1000BASE-T plus mgmt1 1/10G SFP+; mgmt1 requires software activation |
| Console Ports | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 RS-232 serial console | DS-C9396T-96ITK9 RS-232 serial console |
| USB Ports | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 USB power-on auto-provision interface | DS-C9396T-96ITK9 USB power-on auto-provision interface |
| Connector Types | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 Fibre Channel SFP+ | DS-C9396T-96ITK9 Fibre Channel SFP+ |
| Fibre Channel Ports | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 96 | DS-C9396T-96ITK9 96 |
| Fibre Channel Port Types | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 Standard E, F, and B ports; enhanced SD, ST, NP, and TE ports | DS-C9396T-96ITK9 Standard E, F, and B ports; enhanced SD, ST, NP, and TE ports |
| Performance and scale | ||
| Fibre Channel Speed Support | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 Up to 32 Gbps autosensing Fibre Channel | DS-C9396T-96ITK9 Up to 32 Gbps autosensing Fibre Channel |
| Buffer Credits | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 8,300 per 16-port group; 500 default per port; 8,270 maximum for one port | DS-C9396T-96ITK9 8,300 per 16-port group; 500 default per port; 8,270 maximum for one port |
| Supported Optics | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 96 x Cisco 32G shortwave optics included | DS-C9396T-96ITK9 96 x Cisco 32G shortwave optics included |
| Active Ports at Order | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 96 | DS-C9396T-96ITK9 96 |
| Dedicated Bandwidth per Port | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 Up to 32 Gbps | DS-C9396T-96ITK9 Up to 32 Gbps |
| Port Channel Support | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 Up to 16 or 24 physical links per Fibre Channel port channel, model dependent | DS-C9396T-96ITK9 Up to 16 or 24 physical links per Fibre Channel port channel, model dependent |
| Aggregate Bandwidth | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 3,000 Gbps | DS-C9396T-96ITK9 3,000 Gbps |
| PoE and power | ||
| PoE Support | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 Not supported | DS-C9396T-96ITK9 Not supported |
| Default Power Supply | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 2 x 1200W AC/HVAC/HVDC bidirectional-airflow power supplies included | DS-C9396T-96ITK9 2 x 1200W AC/HVAC/HVDC bidirectional-airflow power supplies included |
| Power Supply Slots | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 2 | DS-C9396T-96ITK9 2 |
| Power Supply Options | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 2 included 1200W AC/HVAC/HVDC supplies; 1+1 power-grid redundancy | DS-C9396T-96ITK9 2 included 1200W AC/HVAC/HVDC supplies; 1+1 power-grid redundancy |
| AC Input Voltage | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 90 to 305 V | DS-C9396T-96ITK9 90 to 305 V |
| DC Input Voltage | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 192 to 400 V | DS-C9396T-96ITK9 192 to 400 V |
| AC Input Frequency | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 50 to 60 Hz | DS-C9396T-96ITK9 50 to 60 Hz |
| Power Input Type | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 AC, high-voltage AC, or high-voltage DC through included bidirectional-airflow supplies | DS-C9396T-96ITK9 AC, high-voltage AC, or high-voltage DC through included bidirectional-airflow supplies |
| Typical Power Consumption | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 555 W | DS-C9396T-96ITK9 555 W |
| Power Redundancy | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 1+1 redundant supplies on supported models | DS-C9396T-96ITK9 1+1 redundant supplies on supported models |
| Stacking and resiliency | ||
| Stacking Technology | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 Not supported; fabrics scale through ISLs | DS-C9396T-96ITK9 Not supported; fabrics scale through ISLs |
| Fan Modules | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 2 field-replaceable fan modules included | DS-C9396T-96ITK9 2 field-replaceable fan modules included |
| Memory and software | ||
| Operating System | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 Cisco MDS NX-OS | DS-C9396T-96ITK9 Cisco MDS NX-OS |
| Minimum Software Release | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 Cisco MDS NX-OS 8.3(1) or later | DS-C9396T-96ITK9 Cisco MDS NX-OS 8.3(1) or later |
| Minimum Cisco DCNM Release | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 Cisco DCNM 11(0) or later | DS-C9396T-96ITK9 Cisco DCNM 11(0) or later |
| Physical and environmental | ||
| Dimensions (H × W × D) | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 86.1 × 442.5 × 565.9 mm | DS-C9396T-96ITK9 86.1 × 442.5 × 565.9 mm |
| Weight | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 18.88 kg | DS-C9396T-96ITK9 18.88 kg |
| Operating Temperature | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 0 to 40 °C | DS-C9396T-96ITK9 0 to 40 °C |
| Storage Temperature | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 -40 to 70 °C | DS-C9396T-96ITK9 -40 to 70 °C |
| Storage Humidity | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 10% to 95% | DS-C9396T-96ITK9 10% to 95% |
| Operating Humidity | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 10% to 90% | DS-C9396T-96ITK9 10% to 90% |
| Operating Altitude | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 -60–2,000 m | DS-C9396T-96ITK9 -60–2,000 m |
| MTBF | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 Not published by Cisco | DS-C9396T-96ITK9 Not published by Cisco |
| Warranty | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 Cisco 1-year limited hardware warranty | DS-C9396T-96ITK9 Cisco 1-year limited hardware warranty |
| Mounting | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 19-inch rack mount | DS-C9396T-96ITK9 19-inch rack mount |
| AirflowDifferent | DS-C9396T-96ETK9 Port-side exhaust | DS-C9396T-96ITK9 Port-side intake |
“Not listed” means that no confirmed value is currently available for that model and parameter.
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