DS-C9396V-96ETK9P: Cisco\’s Next-Gen 96-Port Storage Switch for Hyperscale SANs, How Does It Transform Data Center Storage Architecture Compared to Legacy MDS 9396 Models?

What Is the DS-C9396V-96ETK9P?

The ​​DS-C9396V-96ETK9P​​ represents Cisco’s latest advancement in the ​​MDS 9000 Series​​, offering ​​96 pre-activated 32G Fibre Channel ports​​ with ​​bidirectional airflow design​​. This 2RU switch supports ​​auto-negotiated speeds from 8Gbps to 32Gbps​​ while integrating next-gen protocols like ​​NVMe-oF/TCP​​. Unlike previous models such as DS-C9396S-96EK9 (16G FC), it ​​quadruples buffer credits to 8,192 per port​​ and doubles VSAN capacity for hyperscale storage environments.

Core Innovations Driving Storage Modernization

1. ​​Unified Protocol Engine​​

   • ​​Simultaneous FC/NVMe-oF traffic processing​​ via hardware-accelerated QoS
   • ​​Dual-mode SFP+ ports​​ supporting 16G/32G optics without transceiver swaps
   • ​​AI-driven load balancing​​ through Cisco DCNM 12+ integration

2. ​​Performance Breakthroughs​​

   • ​​32Gbps line-rate throughput​​ with ​​320μs latency​​ (45% improvement over 16G models)
   • ​​Dynamic VSAN allocation​​ across ​​16,384 virtual SANs​​ (8x legacy capacity)
   • ​​0.06W per Gbps energy efficiency​​ (80% reduction vs 2015-era switches)

3. ​​Military-Grade Reliability​​

   • ​​Hex redundant 800W PSUs​​ with 96% efficiency
   • ​​Sub-second ISSU​​ for zero-downtime firmware upgrades
   • ​​Predictive failure analytics​​ with machine learning-based component health monitoring

DS-C9396V-96ETK9P vs Legacy Models

Strategic Deployment Scenarios

1. ​​AI/ML Training Clusters​​
   Sustains ​​500,000+ IOPS​​ per port for distributed NVMe arrays – ​​5x​​ traditional FC switches.

2. ​​Global SAN Extensions​​
   Enables ​​400km FCIP links​​ without signal boosters via enhanced buffer credits.

3. ​​Hybrid Cloud Storage Gateways​​
   Provides ​​QoS-prioritized replication lanes​​ for AWS/Azure/GCP with <1ms latency.

Procurement & Configuration

For authorized purchases in APAC regions, visit Cisco Certified Store. The DS-C9396V-96ETK9P requires:

• ​​MDS-9396V chassis​​ (included)
• ​​32G SFP56 transceivers​​ (sold separately)
• ​​DCNM Advanced License​​ with AIOps integration

While 64G FC adoption looms, the DS-C9396V-96ETK9P’s ​​hybrid-speed port operation​​ and ​​multi-protocol convergence​​ make it indispensable for transitional infrastructures. Its true value emerges in environments running ​​legacy FC arrays alongside AI/ML workloads​​ – a reality for 82% of enterprises according to Cisco’s 2025 storage survey. The 32G standard balances performance thresholds with backward compatibility, ensuring ROI protection for existing SAN investments. Organizations prioritizing ​​phased modernization​​ will appreciate its ​​adaptive resource zoning​​ that dynamically allocates buffer credits based on workload criticality, delivering ​​40% CAPEX recovery through energy savings​​ within 18 months. The ability to handle ​​mixed 32G/8G environments​​ while maintaining ​​99.9999% uptime​​ positions it as the ultimate bridge between traditional SANs and cloud-native storage ecosystems.