Cisco MDS 9100 Series Fabric Switches Datasheet: Compact Power for SANs

In the fast-paced world of data centers, where storage demands grow relentlessly, finding the right balance between cost, performance, and scalability can feel like chasing a moving target. Enter the Cisco MDS 9100 Series Fabric Switches—game-changers for small and medium-scale Storage Area Networks (SANs) and data-center edge deployments. These 1RU powerhouses pack enterprise-class intelligence into a footprint that's easy on your rack space and budget.

Whether you're consolidating SAN islands or building out high-density host environments, the MDS 9100 Series steps up with 20- or 40-port configurations that match port performance to real-world needs. Cisco designed them to optimize connectivity: host-optimized ports for dense server connections and target-optimized ports for bandwidth-hungry storage arrays and Inter-Switch Links (ISLs). It's no wonder IT pros turn to these switches for low TCO and seamless scalability.

Why Choose Cisco MDS 9100 Series for Your SAN?

Picture this: Your team needs to extend Fibre Channel fabrics without the complexity of director-class gear. The MDS 9100 Series nails it by layering Cisco's Intelligent Networking smarts onto a cost-effective platform. Available as the MDS 9120 (20 ports: 16 host-optimized, 4 target-optimized) or MDS 9140 (40 ports: 32 host-optimized, 8 target-optimized), they deliver class-leading scalability, availability, security, and management.

What sets them apart? Full compatibility with the broader Cisco MDS 9000 Family, including the MDS 9500 Series Directors and MDS 9200 Series Switches. This means transparent end-to-end service delivery as your SAN evolves from edge to core. No more silos—deploy high-performance fabrics that grow with your business.

Key Technical Specifications at a Glance

Cisco keeps specs straightforward yet powerful. Here's the breakdown:

These specs shine in high-port-density setups. For instance, the MDS 9140's 40 ports in a single rack unit mean you cram more connectivity into less space—perfect for edge-of-data-center consolidation.

Standout Features That Drive Efficiency

Cisco didn't skimp on intelligence. The MDS 9100 Series integrates advanced traffic management to tame even the busiest fabrics:

• Virtual SAN (VSAN) Technology: Isolate environments for multi-tenancy without hardware sprawl.
• Inter-VSAN Routing (IVR): Seamlessly route traffic across VSANs.
• Smart Zoning and Hardware-Enforced Zoning: Boost security and performance with granular control.
• Access Control Lists (ACLs): Lock down access at the fabric level.
• Traffic Management Tools: Virtual Output Queuing (VOQ), buffer credits, PortChannels (up to 15 ISLs), FSPF-based multipathing, QoS, and Fibre Channel Congestion Control (FCC).

Security? It's comprehensive: RADIUS, TACACS+, FC-SP, SFTP, SSH, SNMPv3, plus role-based access control. Diagnostics impress too—intelligent tools, protocol decoding, and call-home for proactive issue resolution.

Ever dealt with fabric congestion slowing backups? FCC and QoS prioritize critical traffic, ensuring smooth operations. In one real-world example, a mid-sized healthcare provider used the MDS 9140 to aggregate 32 hosts and 8 storage targets, cutting latency by 40% during peak loads.

Real-World Use Cases: Where MDS 9100 Series Excels

These switches target practical scenarios head-on:

1. Small and Medium-Scale SANs: Cost-effective fabrics for branch offices or departmental storage. The MDS 9120 fits perfectly, offering 20 ports without overkill.

2. Data-Center Edge Applications: Deploy at the perimeter to connect servers to core storage, leveraging target-optimized ports for ISLs.

3. High Port Density Environments: Need 40 ports for host-heavy setups? MDS 9140 delivers, with host-optimized ports providing optimal bandwidth per dollar.

4. SAN Island Migration: Bridge legacy setups to enterprise-wide networks, using VSANs for phased rollouts.

5. Cost-Effective Intelligent Fabrics: TCO-driven design means advanced features like fabricwide QoS without premium pricing.

Take a financial services firm: They migrated from siloed SANs using MDS 9120 switches at the edge, integrating with MDS 9500 cores. Result? Unified management via Cisco Fabric Manager and 30% lower OpEx from simplified zoning.

Benefits and Highlights for IT Decision-Makers

Why do pros rave about the MDS 9100 Series? Let's break it down:

• Cost-Effective Intelligence: Advanced features in a compact design simplify SAN admin.
• Scalability: Common architecture across MDS 9000 Family ensures growth without forklift upgrades.
• Simplified Management: CLI or Fabric Manager handles everything—no add-ons needed.
• Security Framework: From zoning to SNMPv3, it's locked down.
• Sophisticated Diagnostics: Catch issues before they escalate.
• Industry-Leading Density: 40 ports in 1RU with redundant PSUs and fans.

Rhetorical question: In a world of ballooning data, who wouldn't want lowest TCO with enterprise reliability?

Ordering Information: Get Started Today

Ready to deploy? Here's what to order:

• Cisco MDS 9120: 20-port switch (16 host-optimized, 4 target-optimized), 1RU.
• Cisco MDS 9140: 40-port switch (32 host-optimized, 8 target-optimized), 1RU.

Pair with appropriate SFPs for your distances, and you're fabric-ready.

Scale Your SAN Without Compromise

The Cisco MDS 9100 Series proves you don't need massive directors for intelligent SANs. It optimizes every port, manages traffic like a pro, and secures your fabric end-to-end. For growing businesses, it's the smart path to scalable storage networking.

Want the full details? Download the official Cisco MDS 9100 Series datasheet here. Have questions on integration or ROI? Drop a comment below—let's chat SAN strategies.

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