N9K-C9508-FM-E2=: How Does Cisco’s High-Cap
N9K-C9508-FM-E2= Overview: Scaling Hyperscale Net...
What Is the DS-C9124V-8IK9=?
The DS-C9124V-8IK9= is an 8-port activation license for Cisco MDS 9124 series multilayer fabric switches, designed to enable scalable 4/8/16/32G Fibre Channel connectivity in storage area networks (SANs). This license allows incremental expansion from base configurations to 24 fully operational ports, supporting non-blocking 64Gbps switching capacity and <500ns latency for mission-critical storage workloads.
Core Technical Capabilities
1. Adaptive Performance Architecture
- Dynamic port activation with field-upgradable licensing
- Stateful process restart maintains sessions during supervisor failover
- Hot-swappable SFP+ modules supporting mixed-speed configurations (4G/8G/16G/32G)
2. Enterprise-Class Reliability
- Dual 400W AC/DC power supplies with N+1 redundancy
- 55°C ambient temperature tolerance for data center edge deployments
- VSAN segmentation and Fabric Binding for secure multi-tenant environments
3. Advanced Diagnostics
- Real-time monitoring of optical rx power (-3.92 dBm optimal range)
- Tx-Overutilization counters with automatic Dynamic Ingress Rate Limiting (DIRL)
- Integrated Cisco Fabric Manager compatibility for end-to-end SAN visibility
Performance Comparison: DS-C9124V-8IK9= vs MDS 9124 Base Model
| Metric | Base Model (Unlicensed) | DS-C9124V-8IK9= Activated |
|---|---|---|
| Active Ports | 8 (fixed) | 24 ports (+200% density) |
| Throughput Capacity | 32Gbps | 64Gbps non-blocking |
| Latency | 750ns | <500ns (-33% reduction) |
| Energy Efficiency | 85W/chassis | 28W/port optimized cooling |
| Compliance | FC-PI-5 | FC-PI-7 with NPIV support |
Deployment Scenarios
Q: How does it integrate with Cisco UCS C4800 ML servers?
A: The switch operates as a fabric edge node, using Cisco DCNM to synchronize QoS policies across UCS domains. For VMware vSAN deployments, it maintains <2ms latency through FCoE gateway functionality.
Q: What maintenance is required for optimal performance?
A:
- Replace N+1 fans every 3 years
- Monitor optical rx power thresholds to prevent signal degradation
- License upgrades available via Cisco’s authorized portal
This activation license exemplifies Cisco’s pay-as-you-grow SAN strategy, reducing initial CAPEX by 40% compared to full-port chassis configurations. Its adaptive zoning capabilities automatically quarantine misconfigured storage arrays, critical for maintaining HIPAA-compliant healthcare data environments. For compatibility verification with EMC PowerStore or NetApp FAS systems, consult certified experts through the Cisco hardware marketplace.
The DS-C9124V-8IK9= redefines hyperconverged infrastructure economics, enabling seamless transition from 16G FC to 32G NVMe-oF architectures without hardware replacement. Organizations implementing AI/ML training clusters should prioritize this model for its 1:1 oversubscription ratio and Fabric Performance Impact Notification (FPIN) integration, which reduces storage-related training errors by 27% in TensorFlow environments.