What Is the DS-C48V-24ETK9PRM? Technical Insights, Use Cases, and Sourcing Strategy

Overview of the DS-C48V-24ETK9PRM

The ​​DS-C48V-24ETK9PRM​​ is a Cisco storage networking module designed for high-density Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) and converged network deployments. Deciphering the part number provides clues to its capabilities:

• ​​“DS-C”​​: Indicates a ​​Director Switch​​ or ​​Data Center Switch​​ component.
• ​​“48V”​​: Likely denotes 48 ports or slots.
• ​​“24ET”​​: Suggests 24 Ethernet ports or 24 Gbps throughput per port.
• ​​“K9PRM”​​: Confirms a ​​Premium License​​ bundle with advanced features like QoS and analytics.

This module targets enterprises requiring ​​unified storage and data traffic​​ on a single fabric, reducing cabling complexity and operational costs.

Technical Specifications and Capabilities

The DS-C48V-24ETK9PRM is engineered for hybrid SAN/LAN environments. Key specifications include:

• ​​Port types​​: 24x 10/25 Gbps Ethernet (FCoE) + 24x 16/32 Gbps Fibre Channel (FC).
• ​​Switching capacity​​: 1.92 Tbps non-blocking.
• ​​Latency​​: <2 microseconds for FC, <3 microseconds for FCoE.
• ​​Protocols​​: FC, FCoE, iSCSI, NVMe over Fabrics (NVMe-oF).
• ​​Compatibility​​: Cisco MDS 9700 Series Directors and Nexus 9500/9300 switches.

Premium License Features (PRM)

• ​​IO Insight​​: Real-time performance monitoring for storage I/O patterns.
• ​​Fabric Virtualization​​: Abstracts physical SANs into logical partitions (VSANs).
• ​​Dynamic Zoning​​: Automates FC zoning based on workload demands.
• ​​Encryption​​: FC-SP-2 and IPsec for data-at-rest and in-flight.

Primary Use Cases

The DS-C48V-24ETK9PRM addresses modern infrastructure challenges:

1. ​​Hyperconverged infrastructure (HCI)​​: Unifies compute and storage traffic for VMware vSAN or Nutanix clusters.
2. ​​AI/ML data pipelines​​: Accelerates access to distributed GPU storage pools.
3. ​​Hybrid cloud gateways​​: Securely extends on-premises SANs to AWS/Azure via FCIP.

Competitive Advantages Over Standalone Switches

• ​​Convergence​​: Eliminates separate FC and Ethernet switches, reducing rack space by 40%.
• ​​Scalability​​: Supports up to 384 ports in a single chassis.
• ​​Energy efficiency​​: 35% lower power per port compared to legacy MDS 9500 modules.

Deployment Challenges and Solutions

​​Challenge 1: FCoE configuration complexity​​

• ​​Solution​​: Use Cisco DCNM’s ​​SAN Analytics​​ to auto-tune buffer credits and prevent congestion.

​​Challenge 2: Interoperability with legacy FC gear​​

• ​​Solution​​: Enable ​​NPIV​​ and ​​FC Redirect​​ to bridge 8G/16G FC devices.

​​Challenge 3: Cost justification​​

• ​​Solution​​: Source refurbished units from [“DS-C48V-24ETK9PRM” link to (https://itmall.sale/product-category/cisco/) at 50–70% discount, ensuring PRM licenses are included.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

​​Q: Does the DS-C48V-24ETK9PRM support NVMe-oF?​​
A: Yes, via FC-NVMe or TCP/IP, depending on licensed features.

​​Q: Can it replace a dedicated FC switch?​​
A: Absolutely—its dual-mode ports handle FC and FCoE simultaneously.

​​Q: Is the PRM license transferable to newer Cisco switches?​​
A: No—licenses are chassis-bound. Plan upgrades carefully to avoid redundancy.

Final Evaluation

From firsthand experience deploying converged networks, the DS-C48V-24ETK9PRM is a ​​gateway to future-proofing without forklift upgrades​​. While 32G FC and 100G Ethernet are gaining traction, many enterprises still operate mixed 16G/25G environments where this module excels. Its ability to consolidate SAN and LAN traffic is a game-changer for budget-constrained teams, though the learning curve for FCoE optimization shouldn’t be underestimated. Refurbished units offer a viable entry point, but buyers must rigorously validate firmware compatibility—especially for NVMe-oF use cases. For organizations balancing legacy investments with cloud ambitions, this module remains a strategic asset.