CBS220-48P-4G-NA: Does This Cisco Switch Deli
Core Hardware and Use Case Alignment The CBS220-4...
What Defines the DS-C9396T-48ITK9?
The DS-C9396T-48ITK9 represents Cisco’s latest 40Gbps Fibre Channel switch in the MDS 9000 family, engineered for AI/ML-driven storage environments requiring <500μs latency and petabyte-scale throughput. Unlike its predecessor DS-C9396T-48IK9 (32Gbps), this 2RU device ships with 96 pre-activated ports – double the base capacity of earlier models – while supporting auto-negotiated 8/16/32/40G FC speeds. Its reverse airflow design addresses modern rack cooling challenges in high-density data centers.
Breakthrough Features for Modern SANs
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Unprecedented Bandwidth Efficiency
- 40Gbps line-rate performance per port, 25% faster than 32G FC switches
- 4,096 buffer credits per port – triple the capacity of MDS 9396S series – enabling 300km+ FCIP links
- NVMe-oF/TCP hardware acceleration reduces CPU overhead by 60%
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Intelligent Resource Allocation
- Dynamic VSAN partitioning across 8,192 virtual SANs – 4x more than MDS 9396T
- AI-driven traffic forecasting via Cisco DCNM integration
- FCoE-to-NVMe bridge mode for hybrid SAN/NAS environments
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Enterprise-Grade Resiliency
- Quad redundant power supplies (800W 94% efficiency)
- Sub-second ISSU (In-Service Upgrades)
- Predictive fan failure analytics with 99.9% accuracy
DS-C9396T-48ITK9 vs. Cisco’s Storage Switch Evolution
| Capability | DS-C9396T-48ITK9 (2024) | DS-C9396T-48IK9 (2022) | MDS 9396S (2015) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max Port Density | 96 active ports | 96 (via license) | 96 (via license) |
| Protocol Support | FC/NVMe-oF/TCP | FC/NVMe-oF | FC/FCoE |
| Buffer Credits per Port | 4,096 | 2,048 | 1,248 |
| Energy per Gbps | 0.08W | 0.12W | 0.3W |
| Latency | 380μs | 450μs | 900μs |
This progression highlights Cisco’s quadrupled performance-per-watt achievement since 2015, particularly critical for GPU-accelerated storage workloads.
Implementation Scenarios
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AI Training Clusters
Sustains 250,000+ IOPS per port for distributed NVMe arrays – 3x traditional FC switches. -
Metropolitan SAN Extensions
Enables 200km FCIP links without signal boosters via enhanced buffer credits. -
Multi-Cloud Storage Gateways
Provides QoS-prioritized lanes for hybrid cloud replication (AWS/Azure/GCP).
Procurement Notes
For authorized purchases in APAC regions, visit Cisco Certified Store. The DS-C9396T-48ITK9 requires:
- Cisco DCNM 12+ with AIOps module
- 40G SFP56 transceivers (QSFP+ compatible)
- MDS-9396T v2 chassis
While some argue 40G FC is transitional before 64G adoption, the DS-C9396T-48ITK9’s backward compatibility with 8-32G devices and NVMe/TCP convergence make it indispensable for phased infrastructure modernization. Its true innovation lies in workload-aware zoning – automatically allocating buffer credits and bandwidth based on application priorities. For enterprises balancing AI innovation with legacy FC investments, this switch delivers unmatched ROI within 5-year refresh cycles. The operational cost savings from reduced power and cooling needs could offset 30% of initial CAPEX within 24 months.