Introduction to the Cisco NXA-SFAN-35CFM-PE= Fan Tray

The ​​NXA-SFAN-35CFM-PE=​​ is a high-performance fan module engineered for Cisco Nexus 9000 Series switches, including the N9K-C9508-FM-E and N9K-C93180YC-FX3 chassis. Designed to address thermal challenges in high-density data centers, this 35 CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute) fan tray ensures optimal airflow while maintaining energy efficiency. Its role extends beyond cooling—​​stability in power-overloaded environments​​ and ​​prolonged hardware lifespan​​ make it critical for enterprises scaling cloud and AI workloads.

Technical Architecture and Design Innovations

​​Core Performance Metrics​​

• ​​Airflow Capacity​​: Delivers ​​35 CFM per fan​​ with a maximum static pressure of 0.30 inches of water, enabling efficient heat dissipation in fully populated chassis.
• ​​Power Consumption​​: Operates at 48V DC, drawing ≤55W under full load—​​40% lower​​ than previous-generation Nexus 7000 fan modules.
• ​​Noise Levels​​: Maintains ≤65 dBA at 1 meter, compliant with ISO 7779 standards for office environments.
• ​​Redundancy​​: Supports ​​N+1 fan redundancy​​; a single failed fan increases speed of adjacent units by ≤15% to compensate.

​​Hardware Integration​​

• ​​Hot-Swappable Design​​: Replace faulty fans without disrupting switch operations, critical for Tier III/IV data centers.
• ​​Compatibility​​: Tailored for Nexus 9500/9300 switches with ​​3RU/4RU form factors​​; incompatible with older Nexus 7000 or 3000 series.
• ​​Environmental Tolerance​​: Functions in ​​-5°C to 50°C ambient temperatures​​, with humidity tolerance of 5–95% non-condensing.

Key Deployment Scenarios and Use Cases

1. ​​Hyperscale Data Center Cooling​​

In 100G/400G spine-leaf topologies, the NXA-SFAN-35CFM-PE= prevents thermal throttling of ASICs during peak traffic. A 2023 Cisco case study showed a ​​22% reduction in switch downtime​​ after upgrading to these fans in a 10,000-node AI cluster.

2. ​​Edge Computing and 5G MEC​​

For mobile edge deployments, the module’s ​​dust-resistant filters​​ extend operational life in harsh environments like factory floors or outdoor micro-data centers.

3. ​​High-Frequency Trading (HFT) Infrastructure​​

Low-latency trading systems deploy these fans to eliminate airflow disruptions that could delay order execution by milliseconds. The ​​variable speed control​​ feature adjusts cooling based on real-time switch temperature.

Addressing Critical Operational Concerns

​​Q: How does the NXA-SFAN-35CFM-PE= handle simultaneous fan failures?​​

A: The chassis’ ​​FanTray Manager​​ redistributes airflow load across remaining units, while NX-OS triggers alerts via SNMP or syslog. Two concurrent failures require immediate replacement to avoid thermal shutdown.

​​Q: What maintenance practices extend fan lifespan?​​

A: Cisco recommends ​​bimonthly air filter cleaning​​ and replacing fans after 30,000 hours (≈3.4 years) of continuous operation. Use the ​​show environment fan​​ CLI command to track hours and RPM metrics.

​​Q: Can these fans operate in vertical exhaust configurations?​​

A: Yes. The NXA-SFAN-35CFM-PE= supports both ​​front-to-back and port-side exhaust​​ airflow modes, configurable via the Nexus 9000’s airflow override feature.

Procurement and Compatibility Guidelines

• ​​Chassis Slot Requirements​​: Each Nexus 9508 chassis supports three fan trays; deploy all for N+1 redundancy.
• ​​Firmware Dependencies​​: Requires NX-OS 9.3(5)+ to leverage dynamic speed scaling and telemetry APIs.

For verified inventory or Cisco-refurbished units, explore the [“NXA-SFAN-35CFM-PE=” link to (https://itmall.sale/product-category/cisco/).

Strategic Advantages Over Third-Party Alternatives

• ​​Cisco Intersight Integration​​: Monitors fan health through cloud-based analytics, predicting failures 14 days in advance with 92% accuracy.
• ​​Energy Rebates​​: Qualifies for local utility efficiency rebates (e.g., U.S. EPA’s ENERGY STAR Data Center Program) due to 80 Plus Platinum-equivalent performance.
• ​​FIPS 140-2 Compliance​​: Tamper-proof firmware ensures compliance for federal or healthcare deployments handling sensitive data.

Final Perspective

The NXA-SFAN-35CFM-PE= exemplifies Cisco’s commitment to ​​infrastructure resilience​​ in an era where thermal management directly impacts revenue. While overlooked as a “commodity” component, its role in preventing costly ASIC failures or latency spikes cannot be overstated. For teams managing high-density AI/ML clusters or latency-sensitive trading systems, this fan tray isn’t optional—it’s insurance against operational catastrophe. Skeptics prioritizing upfront cost over TCO will inevitably face the hidden expenses of downtime and hardware replacements. In contrast, proactive adopters gain not just cooling, but a strategic edge in infrastructure reliability.