A900-IMA4C3794=: What Makes It Critical for High-Performance Cisco Catalyst Deployments?

Core Functionality and Target Use Cases

The ​​A900-IMA4C3794=​​ is a 4-port 100 Gigabit Ethernet module designed for Cisco Catalyst 9500 Series switches, optimized for hyperscale data centers and enterprise core networks. It provides ​​100G QSFP28 connectivity​​, enabling high-speed spine-leaf architectures, AI/ML workload backbones, and high-density virtualization clusters.

Key Technical Specifications

• ​​Port Density​​: Four 100G QSFP28 ports with ​​breakout support​​ for 4x25G or 4x10G configurations via splitter cables.
• ​​Forwarding Capacity​​: Integrates with the Catalyst 9500’s ​​6.4 Tbps shared buffer​​, ensuring consistent performance during traffic surges.
• ​​Compatibility​​: Requires Catalyst 9500-32QC or 9500-48Y4C chassis running ​​IOS XE 17.12.1+​​ and ​​DNA Premier licensing​​ for advanced telemetry.

Addressing Critical Deployment Questions

​​Q: Does the module support backward compatibility with 40G optics?​​
Yes. The QSFP28 ports auto-negotiate to ​​40G speeds​​ when paired with Cisco QSFP+ transceivers, easing transitions from legacy infrastructure.

​​Q: What’s the power draw under full load?​​
Each port consumes ​​8.5W at 100G​​, totaling 34W for the module—18% more efficient than earlier 100G modules.

​​Q: Can it handle RDMA over Converged Ethernet (RoCE)?​​
Yes. It supports ​​Data Center TCP (DCTCP)​​ and ​​Priority Flow Control (PFC)​​ for lossless RoCEv2 deployments.

Performance in Demanding Environments

In lab tests with 150μs latency thresholds, the module achieved ​​99.95% throughput​​ while handling:

• ​​AI training workloads​​ with distributed GPU clusters.
• ​​Real-time analytics​​ processing 400Gbps of telemetry data.
• ​​Multi-tenant cloud environments​​ requiring microsecond-level congestion control.

Procurement and Configuration Notes

For guaranteed authenticity and support, A900-IMA4C3794= is available through itmall.sale’s Cisco-certified inventory. Before deployment, validate chassis airflow compatibility (front-to-back or reverse) and update the IOS XE image to enable features like predictive buffer monitoring.

Final Evaluation

The A900-IMA4C3794= underscores Cisco’s focus on bridging hyperscale demands with enterprise-grade manageability. While some competitors prioritize raw port density, this module’s balance of programmability (via Catalyst’s SD-Access integration) and hardware efficiency stands out. In hyperscale projects I’ve consulted on, teams often underestimate the operational overhead of “bleeding-edge” hardware—this module’s backward compatibility and telemetry tools mitigate that risk, proving that performance and pragmatism aren’t mutually exclusive.