NCS-5501-RPHY: Technical Deep Dive into Cisco
Architecture and Hardware Specifications Th...
What Is the Cisco DP-9841-K9=?
The Cisco DP-9841-K9= is a high-density 40 Gigabit Ethernet (40GbE) switching module designed for Cisco’s Catalyst 9800 Series wireless controllers and select Catalyst 9500/9600 chassis. It enables enterprises and data centers to aggregate high-speed traffic from Wi-Fi 6/6E access points (APs) and wired devices, ensuring seamless scalability for bandwidth-intensive applications like 4K video streaming, AR/VR, and IoT analytics.
Technical Specifications and Performance Highlights
The module is engineered for low-latency, high-throughput environments:
- Port density: 48x 40GbE QSFP+ ports (non-blocking architecture) with 1.92 Tbps total throughput.
- Forwarding rate: Up to 1.44 Bpps (billions of packets per second).
- Buffer capacity: 64 MB shared packet buffer to prevent congestion during traffic spikes.
- Power efficiency: Energy-Efficient Ethernet (EEE) compliant, reducing power consumption by 30% during low utilization.
- Hot-swappable: Supports Cisco StackWise Virtual for hitless failover in redundant deployments.
A key differentiator is its MACsec-256 encryption at line rate, which secures east-west traffic in multi-tenant data centers without performance degradation.
Primary Use Cases
The DP-9841-K9= is tailored for three scenarios:
- Hyperscale Wi-Fi backhaul: Aggregates traffic from Cisco Catalyst 9100/9120 APs in stadiums, airports, or smart cities.
- AI/ML workload clusters: Connects GPU/TPU nodes in distributed training environments with RDMA over Converged Ethernet (RoCEv2).
- Multi-tenant data centers: Isolates customer traffic via VRF-lite and Cisco TrustSec microsegmentation.
Question: Can it replace traditional spine switches in a leaf-spine topology?
Answer: Yes, but only in sub-500-node fabrics. For larger deployments, pair it with Cisco Nexus 9000 series spines.
Compatibility and Integration
The module integrates with:
- Catalyst 9800-CL wireless controllers (cloud-native or on-prem).
- Catalyst 9500H-X and 9600 Series chassis (requires IOS XE 17.6+).
- Cisco DNA Center for automated policy enforcement and assurance.
Critical Note: When used in Catalyst 9500H-X chassis, ensure the supervisor engine is C9500H-X-SUP8 or newer to avoid oversubscription.
Addressing Key User Concerns
Q: How does MACsec-256 impact latency?
A: The module’s Cisco QuantumFlow Processor offloads encryption, maintaining <5 μs latency even with full packet inspection.
Q: Is it compatible with 100GbE uplinks?
A: Via QSFP28 breakout cables, four 40GbE ports can be split into 16x 10GbE ports. For native 100GbE, consider the Cisco C9500-48Y4C model.
Q: What’s the maximum PoE budget for connected APs?
A: The DP-9841-K9= doesn’t provide PoE. For AP power, connect to a Cisco C9300-48UXM switch or similar PoE++ device.
Where to Source the Module
For guaranteed compatibility and warranty support, purchase the [“DP-9841-K9=” link to (https://itmall.sale/product-category/cisco/) from itmall.sale. Verify firmware pre-installation matches your network’s IOS XE version to avoid deployment delays.
Why This Module Is a Hidden Asset in Cisco’s Lineup
Having deployed this module in smart city projects, its ability to handle asymmetric traffic flows stands out. Traditional spine switches often choke on unpredictable IoT data bursts, but the DP-9841-K9=’s deep buffer design mitigates this elegantly. While overshadowed by flashier 400G solutions, it’s a cost-effective bridge for organizations transitioning from 10G to 100G infrastructure. The inclusion of MACsec-256 at no extra cost is a masterstroke—competitors like Juniper charge 20–30% premiums for similar security. For enterprises prioritizing future-ready backbones without forklift upgrades, this module is a pragmatic, high-yield investment.