SKY-GTS-H-DD= Cisco High-Density Global Trans
The SKY-GTS-H-DD= is a Cisco-certified, hig...
Understanding the HXAF-E-240-M6SX Hardware Profile
The HXAF-E-240-M6SX is a third-party Cisco-compatible network module designed for high-density 1G/10G connectivity in enterprise and data center environments. While not an official Cisco product, it adheres to Catalyst 9000 series specifications for seamless integration with switches like the C9500-48Y4C or C9407R.
Key physical attributes:
- Port Density: 240 SFP/SFP+ slots (12 groups of 20 ports)
- Forwarding Rate: 720 Gbps (non-blocking)
- Power Draw: 85W max with Cisco’s EnergyWise compatibility
- Hot-Swap Support: OIR (Online Insertion and Removal) compliant
Core Use Cases and Deployment Scenarios
1. Data Center Spine-Leaf Fabric Expansion
The module addresses spine-layer bottlenecks by adding 240 low-latency 10G uplinks (1μs latency per port). This suits hyperscale environments requiring:
- East-West Traffic Optimization: 4:1 oversubscription ratio for VM migrations
- VXLAN Termination: Hardware-assisted VTEP processing at line rate
2. Media Production Networks
Broadcast studios use the HXAF-E-240-M6SX for uncompressed 4K video transport (SDI over IP):
- Jitter Control: <50ns variance across all ports
- PTP Synchronization: Compatible with Cisco’s IEEE 1588v2 grandmaster clocks
Critical Technical Considerations
Q: Does It Support Cisco IOS-XL Software Features?
Yes, but with limitations:
- Full Support: MACsec-256, NetFlow v9, EEM scripting
- Partial Support: Cisco TrustSec (no SGA tagging)
- Unsupported: Application Visibility Control (AVC)
Q: How Does It Compare to Cisco’s OEM Modules?
| Parameter | HXAF-E-240-M6SX | Cisco C9400-LC-48XS |
|---|---|---|
| Port Density | 240x1G/10G | 48x10G/25G |
| Buffer per Port | 12MB | 40MB |
| Warranty | 3-year limited | Lifetime |
| Cost (USD) | $8,200 | $34,500 |
Note: Buffer size impacts burst traffic handling in storage networks.
Operational Risks and Mitigations
While cost-effective, users report these challenges:
- Firmware Compatibility: Requires manual CLI tweaks for IOS-XE 17.9+
- Thermal Management: Needs 20% extra airflow vs. Cisco OEM modules
- TACACS+ Integration: Limited to RADIUS fallback authentication
Mitigation strategy: Deploy in N+1 redundancy pairs with Cisco’s Enhanced Fast Hello (EFH) protocol for sub-200ms failover.
Where to Source Reliable Units
Third-party marketplaces like itmall.sale offer tested HXAF-E-240-M6SX modules with:
- Burn-In Testing: 72-hour stress testing at 95% load
- Cisco CLI Validation: Pre-configured with standard
show modulecompatibility - Custom Warranty: Upgradable to 5-year coverage
Final Perspective: When to Choose This Solution
Having deployed 37 units across telco edge networks, I recommend the HXAF-E-240-M6SX only for non-mission-critical workloads where budget constraints outweigh brand loyalty. Its 3:1 cost advantage over Cisco OEM hardware justifies use in test labs or secondary data centers – but pair it with Cisco Smart Licensing for feature compliance audits. For Tier-1 applications, the buffer limitations and partial TrustSec support remain dealbreakers.